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 multifaceted. Just a sign or a body movement 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. The most actively mastered it by the French and Italians, who accompany almost every word with facial expressions, waved hands, finger movements. The most common communication is tactile contact (that is, touch), which in some cultures is simply unacceptable. So, in England, touch is not accepted in principle, and the interlocutors try to maintain the distance of the “outstretched arm” between themselves. Only in Cambridge is a handshake permissible: at the beginning and at the end of the school period. For a German, the distance taken in England is too small, so a German resident will be another half a step away from the other person. Residents of Saudi Arabia communicate, practically breathing in each other's faces, and in Latin America, any speech is fixed by a tangent movement.
Nodding head: polarity of the values of this gesture
The meaning of gestures in different countries is radically different. Those that have the usual semantic load for us, on the other side of the planet are interpreted in exactly the opposite way. For example, in Russia and Europe, an affirmative nod of the head with the value “yes” in India, Greece, Bulgaria means denial, 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 the swaying of the palms from side to side, the Neapolitans express disagreement by pulling their heads up and bulging their lips disapprovingly, while in Malta it looks like touching the tips of the fingers of the chin with the brush turned forward.
Sign language in different countries shrugs interprets, oddly enough, almost the same everywhere: uncertainty and misunderstanding.
By scrolling the index finger at the temple, the Russians and the French express the stupidity of the interlocutor or confirm the nonsense and absurdity uttered by his lips. In Spain, the same gesture will indicate a distrust of the speaker, but in Holland, on the contrary, his wit. The Englishman will interpret the movements at the temple as “live your mind”, in Italy this will indicate a friendly disposition to the person you are talking to.
Thumb movements
In America, the thumb raised 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 to shut up. 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 Englishman and the Australian will perceive this sign as an insult of a sexual nature, among the Arabs it is associated with the phallic symbol. The thumb in conjunction with other gestures signifies power and superiority. It is also used in situations where a certain authority is trying to show his own advantage over others, whom he is ready to simply crush with a finger. Thus, gestures in different countries of the world carry a completely different semantic load and can inadvertently offend the interlocutor.
Interestingly, this finger is interpreted by Italians: it is a reference point. For Russians and English, it will be the fifth, and the score starts with the index.
The multifaceted meaning of all understandable “ok”
A world-famous sign formed by the index finger and the thumb in the form of the number “zero” has existed for more than 2500 years. The “ok” gesture in different countries differs in its semantic interpretation and has many meanings:
- “Everything is fine”, “ok” - In the USA and a number of 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 the countries of the Mediterranean basin;
- just an obscene gesture - in Portugal.
In ancient times, this sign was considered a symbol of love, portraying kissing lips. He also noted an eloquent speaker for apt statement or subtle aphorism. Then this gesture was forgotten and acquired a new birth in the 19th century in America, denoting the modern "all is well." The difference in gestures in different countries caused the precedent that happened in Germany, when one driver showed the ok sign from the window of his car to a policeman passing by. 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 each sign is free to interpret the shown sign in its own way, since the meaning of gestures in different countries is unique. You must 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 the easy serve of 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 bit about indecent gestures
The designation of gestures in different countries sometimes has such an opposite meaning that one can only be surprised at the fantasies of residents. Familiar to everyone since childhood, cookies were successfully used in ancient times. Japanese women, expressing their consent to serve the client, used this gesture. For the Slavs, he acted as a talisman against evil spirits, corruption and the evil eye. Modern folk medicine perceives a combination of three fingers in the same way as in antiquity, and even treats it with barley in the eye. Although the general understanding of this gesture is offensive.
Invoking signs with the index finger in Asia are perceived as indecent gestures. In different countries they are interpreted as a request to approach (get closer). For Filipinos, this is a humiliation for which they can be arrested, since this appeal is only relevant to the dog.
The most obscene 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 pressed adjacent fingers - the scrotum.
The crossed index and middle fingers indicate the female genital organs, and in the West they are used as protection against the evil eye.
Interesting gestures in different countries of the world inviting someone to drink. In Russia, this is a well-known click on the throat, and for this a Frenchman should scratch his thumb and forefinger there.
True french gesture
The same Frenchman (Mexican, Italian, Spaniard), if he wants to point out a certain sophistication and sophistication, brings to the lips the connected tips of three fingers and, raising his chin high, sends an air kiss. In this way he expresses admiration. Moreover, this sign for residents of these countries is so familiar as for the Slavs nodding their heads.
Rubbing the base of the nose with your index finger indicates doubtfulness and suspicious attitude to the interlocutor. In the Netherlands, this gesture will indicate alcohol intoxication of a person, in England - secrecy and conspiracy. In Spain it is considered offensive to touch the earlobe with your finger, this means "among us is gay." In Lebanon, this phrase is interpreted by simply scratching the eyebrows.
As a sign of enthusiasm for someone’s idea, the German will raptly raise his eyebrows. The Englishman will perceive this gesture as a skeptical attitude to his words. But by tapping himself on the forehead, he will show satisfaction with himself, his own quick wit. The representative of Holland has the same gesture, only with his index finger extended upwards, indicates satisfaction with the interlocutor’s mind. If the index finger is directed to the side, then the dialogue partner, to put it mildly, is a boob.
Hand gestures in different countries amaze with their interpretation. So, in Russia, two index fingers exposed and rubbing against each other denote “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 countries are very extravagant. For example, if a passer-by in Tibet shows the language, you should not take this situation from the negative side. It just means: “I'm not plotting anything against you. Stay calm".
Sign "Caution!" in Italy and Spain it is expressed by pulling the lower finger of the left hand with the index finger. If a resident of England decides to teach someone a lesson, he will raise up two fingers connected together, which will mean this intention. In America, this gesture is perceived differently - as the coherence of the actions of two people, their unity.
A 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 little finger that forms the “horns” will be perceived by the Frenchman as a statement of the infidelity of his half, and for Italians this gesture is considered a talisman, in Colombia - a wish for good luck. The goat mark is an international symbol of metalworkers.
A zigzag motion with the index finger in India convicts a person of the lies uttered by him.
The attitude of different cultures to the arrangement of hands is interesting. So, in the Middle East, in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Africa and Indonesia, the left hand is considered dirty, so in no case should she give anyone money, food, gifts, or eat food. Caution should be exercised when hands are lowered into trouser pockets. In Argentina, this is considered indecent. In Japan, you cannot tighten the belt in public, as this can be perceived as the beginning of the hara-kiri.
Welcome ethics
Greeting gestures in different countries are also unique. The first thing to do when meeting is to call a surname. In Japan, the name is not used even in informal meetings. A ceremonial bow with folded palms 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 a hug.
In Lapland, greeting each other, people rub their noses.
Farewell to different cultures is also different. The Italians, having offered their hand, will gladly slap a person on the back, thereby showing affection for him; in France, this gesture means "get out and never show up here again."
Goodbye gestures
In Latin America, people say goodbye, inviting, waving with the palm of their hand, which in Russia is perceived as an invitation to come up. Europeans, when parting, raise their hands up and move their fingers. The inhabitants of the Andaman Islands, when parting, take the palm of the departing person, bring it to their lips and blow it lightly on it.
Now for the gifts. In China, they are accepted with both hands, otherwise it will be regarded as disrespect. It is advisable to open the present with the person giving it and to bow down, thus expressing gratitude. You cannot give a clock symbolizing death, and the package in which the gift is wrapped should not be white. In Japan, on the contrary, it is customary to unwrap gifts at home so as not to embarrass a person because of the possible modesty of the offering.
