Different gestures in different countries and their designation

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:47

Every person in his life widely uses gestures, which are an integral part of communication. Any words are always accompanied by facial expressions and actions: hands, fingers, head. Different gestures in different countries, like colloquial speech, are unique and are interpreted in many ways. Only one sign or gesture, made without any malicious intent, can instantly destroy the fine line of understanding and trust.

Tactile contact is one of the means of communication

Sign language in different countries is interesting for many. It was most actively mastered by the French and Italians, who accompany almost every word with facial expressions, waved hands, and finger movements. The most common in communication is tactile contact (that is, touch), which in a number of cultures is simply unacceptable. So, in England, touching is not accepted in principle, and the interlocutors try to maintain an "arm's length" distance between themselves. Shaking hands is allowed only in Cambridge: inbeginning and end of the study period. For a German, the distance accepted in England is too small, so a German resident will move away from the interlocutor by another half step. Residents of Saudi Arabia communicate, almost breathing into each other's faces, and in Latin America, any speech is fixed with a tangential movement.

Head nod: the polarity of the meanings of this gesture

The meaning of gestures in different countries is radically different. Those that have a familiar semantic load for us are interpreted completely opposite on the other side of the planet. For example, in Russia and European countries, an affirmative nod of the head with the meaning “yes” in India, Greece, Bulgaria means negation, and vice versa: turning the head from side to side in these countries is an affirmation. By the way, in Japan “no” is expressed by shaking the palms from side to side, the Neapolitans express disagreement by jerking their heads up and protruding their lips disapprovingly, and in M alta it looks like touching the chin with the fingertips with the hand turned forward.

The sign language in different countries interprets the shrug, oddly enough, almost everywhere the same: uncertainty and misunderstanding.

By scrolling the index finger at the temple, the Russians and the French express the stupidity of the interlocutor or certify the nonsense and nonsense uttered by his lips. In Spain, the same gesture will indicate distrust of the speaker, and in Holland, on the contrary, his wit. The Englishman will interpret the movements at the temple as "live with your mind", in Italy thisindicates a friendly disposition towards the interlocutor.

Thumb movements

In America, the thumbs up is used when trying to catch a passing car. Its second meaning, known to everyone, is “everything is in order”, “super!”, “Great!”. In Greece, this gesture strongly rudely recommends silence. Therefore, an American trying to catch a passing car on the Greek road will look rather ridiculous. In Saudi Arabia, this gesture, accompanied by a rotational movement of the thumb, has a more offensive interpretation and means "roll out of here." The English and the Australian will perceive this sign as an insult of a sexual nature, among the Arabs it is associated with a phallic symbol. The thumb in conjunction with other gestures denotes power and superiority. It is also used in situations where a certain authority is trying to show its own advantage over the rest, which it is ready to simply crush with its finger. Thus, gestures in different countries of the world carry a completely different meaning and can inadvertently offend the interlocutor.

Interestingly, this finger is interpreted by the Italians: this is the starting point. For Russians and Englishmen, it will be the fifth, and the count starts with the index number.

Multifaceted meaning of the understandable "okay" for everyone

The world-famous sign, formed by the index finger and thumb in the shape of the number "zero", has been around for over 2,500 years. The “ok” gesture in different countries differs in its semantic interpretation and has many meanings:

• “everything is fine”, “okay” - In the USA and several other countries;
• "dummy", "zero" - in Germany and France;
• "money" - in Japan;
• "go to hell" - in Syria;
• "I will kill you" - in Tunisia;
• fifth point - in Brazil;
• homosexuals in Mediterranean countries;
• just an obscene gesture - in Portugal.

In ancient times, this sign was considered a symbol of love, depicting kissing lips. He also noted an eloquent speaker for a well-aimed statement or a subtle aphorism. Then this gesture was forgotten and acquired a new birth in the 19th century in America, it meant the modern "everything is fine." The difference in gestures in different countries caused a precedent in Germany when one driver showed the “ok” sign from the window of his car to a police officer whom he was passing. The latter was offended and sued the offender. The judge, after studying various literature, acquitted the driver. The motivation was the double meaning of this sign, acceptable in Germany. And everyone is free to interpret the sign shown in their own way, since the meaning of gestures in different countries is unique. You should always remember this.

V means "victory"

Different gestures in different countries highlight the world-famous V-shaped sign, which gained popularity during the Second World War with a light introduction by Winston Churchill. On an outstretched hand, turned to the speaker with the back, it means "victory." If the hand is positioned differently, the gesture is offensive and means“shut up.”

A little about indecent gestures

The designation of gestures in different countries sometimes has such an opposite meaning that one can only be surprised at the imagination of the inhabitants. Familiar to everyone since childhood, the fig was successfully used in ancient times. Japanese women, expressing their consent to serve the client, used this particular gesture. For the Slavs, he acted as a talisman against evil spirits, damage and the evil eye. Modern traditional medicine perceives a combination of three fingers as in the old days, and even treats barley on the eye with it. Although the general understanding of this gesture is offensive.

Beckoning signs with the index finger in Asia are perceived as obscene gestures. In different countries, they are interpreted as a request to approach (approach). For Filipinos, this is a humiliation for which they can be arrested, since this treatment is only appropriate in relation to a dog.

The most indecent and recognizable gesture that has existed since ancient times is the raised middle finger, which corresponds to a very indecent curse. This sign symbolizes the male genital organ, and the pressed neighboring fingers symbolize the scrotum.

The crossed index and middle fingers represent the female genital organs, and are used in the West as protection against the evil eye.

Interesting gestures in different countries of the world, inviting the interlocutor to drink. In Russia, this is the well-known flick of the fingers on the throat, and for this the Frenchman must scratch there with his thumb and forefinger.

True Frenchgesture

The same Frenchman (Mexican, Italian, Spaniard), if he wants to indicate some refinement and sophistication, brings the connected tips of three fingers to his lips and, raising his chin high, sends an air kiss. Thus he expresses admiration. Moreover, this sign for the inhabitants of these countries is as familiar as the nod of the head for the Slavs.

Rubbing the base of the nose with the index finger indicates doubtfulness and a suspicious attitude towards the interlocutor. In Holland, this gesture will indicate the intoxication of a person, in England - secrecy and conspiracy. Touching the earlobe with a finger is considered offensive in Spain, which means “among us gay”. In Lebanon, this phrase is interpreted as a simple scratching of the eyebrows.

As a sign of enthusiasm for someone's idea, the German will raise his eyebrows admiringly. The Englishman will perceive this gesture as a skeptical attitude towards his words. But, knocking himself on the forehead, he will show contentment with himself, with his own ingenuity. The same gesture of the representative of Holland, only with the index finger stretched upwards, indicates satisfaction with the mind of the interlocutor. If the index finger is pointed to the side, then the dialogue partner is, to put it mildly, a dolt.

Hand gestures in different countries amaze with their interpretation. So, in Russia, two index fingers put up and rubbing against each other mean “a couple that got along well”, in Japan the same gesture expresses the insolubility of the problem discussed with the interlocutor.

Warning signs

Different gestures in different countriesare very extravagant. For example, if an oncoming passer-by in Tibet shows his tongue, you should not take this situation from a negative side. It just means, “I'm not plotting against you. Be calm.”

Sign "Caution!" in Italy and Spain it is expressed by pulling the lower eyelid with the index finger of the left hand. If a resident of England decides to teach someone a lesson, then he will raise up two fingers connected together, which will mean this intention. In America, this gesture will be perceived differently - as the coherence of the actions of two people, their solidarity.

The boat-shaped palm in Italy symbolizes a question and a call for explanation, in Mexico it is an offer to pay for valuable information.

The combination of the index finger and the little finger, forming the "horns", the French will be perceived as a statement of the infidelity of his half, and for the Italians this gesture is considered a talisman against the evil eye, in Colombia - a wish of good luck. The sign "goat" is the international symbol of metalworkers.

Zigzag with the index finger in India will convict a person of lying.

Interesting is the attitude of different cultures to the location of the hands. So, in the Middle East, in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Africa and Indonesia, the left hand is considered dirty, so in no case should you give money, food, gifts to anyone, or eat food. Be careful with hands dipped into trouser pockets. In Argentina, this is considered indecent. In Japan, you can't pull up your belt in public as it could be taken as the start of hara-kiri.

Welcome Ethics

Gestures of greeting in different countries are also unique. First of all, when meeting, it is customary to give a surname. In Japan, the name is not used even in informal meetings. A ceremonial bow with folded hands on the chest is necessary. The deeper it is, the more respect is expressed to the guest. In Spain, a greeting, in addition to the usual handshake, is often accompanied by a stormy expression of joy and hugs.

In Lapland, people rub their noses to greet each other.

Farewell is also different for different cultures. The Italians, having extended their hand, will gladly slap a person on the back, thereby showing their disposition towards him; in France, the gesture means "get out and never come back here again."

Farewell gestures

In Latin America, people say goodbye by waving their palms invitingly, which in Russia is perceived as an invitation to approach. Europeans, when parting, raise their palm up and move their fingers. Inhabitants of the Andaman Islands, when saying goodbye, take the palm of the departing person in their hands, bring it to their lips and lightly blow on it.

Now about gifts. In China, it is customary to take them with both hands, otherwise it will be regarded as disrespectful. It is advisable to unfold the present in front of the person giving it and be sure to bow, thus expressing gratitude. You cannot give a watch that symbolizes death, and the packaging in which the present is wrapped should not be white. In Japan, on the contrary, it is customary to unwrap gifts at home so as not toto embarrass a person because of the possible modesty of the offering.

Smile is the most "convertible" gesture

Non-verbal communication (body language) is the wordless exchange of information using facial expressions or gestures and allows a person to express his thought as effectively as possible. Non-verbal gestures in different countries are characterized by dissimilar semantic load. The only universal tool that allows you to get the interlocutor to communicate is a smile: sincere and open. Therefore, using different gestures in different countries, it is always worth taking this magic tool with you on the road.