<p>This action that Megumi is doing signifies anxiety and stress. It is a nervous habit, as explained in the show and manga. From the <a href="https://shokugekinosoma.fandom.com/wiki/Megumi_Tadokoro" rel="noreferrer">wiki</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>She has a habit of tracing the kanji for &quot;person&quot; (人) on her hand then motioning, as if to eat it, whenever she is stressed.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I'm not familiar with the culture of Japan on this matter, but according to this <a href="http://folklore.usc.edu/?p=9517" rel="noreferrer">article</a> on the University of Southern California's site, it is part of the culture. Here's a quote:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>In Japan, students nervous for a presentation are often told to draw the Chinese character for “person,” 「人」three times on their hand. They are then supposed to pretend to eat those “people” by putting their hand in front of their mouth, in the belief that this will ease their anxiety.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Furthermore, according to the same article, the rationale is:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The idea was that those three 「人」characters represented the audience in the palm of her hand, and eating them made them seem irrelevant, undeserving of her anxiety</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I'm not familiar with Minoru Mineta doing this, but if it's really the same action, then everything still applies. And I'm fairly certain I've seen similar things done in other manga and anime, but I'm drawing a blank right now. I'll update if I remember any.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-04T17:34:56.377Z
2020-08-04T17:34:56.377Z
Shaymin Gratitude
<p>I have seen in some anime where the character become nervous, <a href="https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/8856/why-is-sakurai-sensei-always-sweating-like-a-sprinkler/8863">sweats profusely</a> and makes this action. For ex - Tadokoro Megumin from <em>Food Wars</em>:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/BUeWm.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/BUeWm.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>I have also seen Minoru Mineta from BNHA doing that. What does this action signify? Is there any cultural significance to it?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-04T17:16:45.617Z
She's writing something in her hand and eating it, isn't she? Like, courage or something. I'm not sure, but wasn't this actually elaborated on in an episode of Food Wars?
Shaymin Gratitude
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-04T17:30:29.193Z
@ShayminGratitude I don't know. Maybe. But I bet I have seen in other Animes like the mentioned BNHA. Looks like it is kind of a trope.
Fumikage Tokoyami
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-04T17:36:50.503Z
@FumikageTokoyami Yes, I'm pretty sure I've seen it elsewhere too, but I'm drawing a blank. Not to worry though. After a quick search, I've been able to put together an answer. Still opportunity for anyone who understands better to give an answer though.
Shaymin Gratitude
<tropes>
What does "crossing one's palm with fingers and gulping" signify?
# What does "crossing one's palm with fingers and gulping" signify?
Posted by: username_0 on 2020-08-04
I have seen in some anime where the character become nervous, [sweats profusely](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/8856/why-is-sakurai-sensei-always-sweating-like-a-sprinkler/8863) and makes this action. For ex - Tadokoro Megumin from *Food Wars*:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/BUeWm.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/BUeWm.png)

I have also seen Minoru Mineta from BNHA doing that. What does this action signify? Is there any cultural significance to it?
**Tags:** tropes
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: She's writing something in her hand and eating it, isn't she? Like, courage or something. I'm not sure, but wasn't this actually elaborated on in an episode of Food Wars?  
> **username_0**: @ShayminGratitude I don't know. Maybe. But I bet I have seen in other Animes like the mentioned BNHA. Looks like it is kind of a trope.  
> **username_1**: @FumikageTokoyami Yes, I'm pretty sure I've seen it elsewhere too, but I'm drawing a blank. Not to worry though. After a quick search, I've been able to put together an answer. Still opportunity for anyone who understands better to give an answer though.  
---
## 1 answers
### Answer by username_1 on 2020-08-04. Score: 9 | Accepted answer
This action that Megumi is doing signifies anxiety and stress. It is a nervous habit, as explained in the show and manga. From the [wiki](https://shokugekinosoma.fandom.com/wiki/Megumi_Tadokoro):

> She has a habit of tracing the kanji for "person" (人) on her hand then motioning, as if to eat it, whenever she is stressed.

I'm not familiar with the culture of Japan on this matter, but according to this [article](http://folklore.usc.edu/?p=9517) on the University of Southern California's site, it is part of the culture. Here's a quote:

> In Japan, students nervous for a presentation are often told to draw the Chinese character for “person,” 「人」three times on their hand. They are then supposed to pretend to eat those “people” by putting their hand in front of their mouth, in the belief that this will ease their anxiety.

Furthermore, according to the same article, the rationale is:

> The idea was that those three 「人」characters represented the audience in the palm of her hand, and eating them made them seem irrelevant, undeserving of her anxiety

I'm not familiar with Minoru Mineta doing this, but if it's really the same action, then everything still applies. And I'm fairly certain I've seen similar things done in other manga and anime, but I'm drawing a blank right now. I'll update if I remember any.
---
