Different gestures in different countries and their designation

Everyone in his life widely uses gesticulation, which is an integral part of communication. Any words are always accompanied by mimicry and actions: hands, fingers, head. Different gestures in different countries, like colloquial speech, are unique and interpreted multifaceted. The mere 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. Most actively it was mastered by the French and Italians, who practically every word are accompanied by mimicry, swings of hands, 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, touch is not accepted in principle, and the interlocutors try to withstand the distance between the "outstretched hand". Only at Cambridge is it acceptable to shake hands: at the beginning and at the end of the training period. For a German, the distance taken in England is too small, so the German will move away from the interlocutor by another half step. Residents of Saudi Arabia communicate, practically breathing each other in the face, and in Latin America any speech is fixed by a tangential movement.

Nod head: the polarity of the values of this gesture

Significance of gestures in different countries is radically different. Those who have for us the usual semantic load, on the other end of the planet are treated quite the opposite. For example, in Russia and European countries, an affirmative nod with a "yes" head in India, Greece, Bulgaria denotes denial, and vice versa: head turns from side to side in these countries are an affirmation. By the way, in Japan, "no" is expressed by the rocking of the palms from side to side, the Neapolitans express disagreement by raising their heads upward and frowning their lips disapprovingly, and in Malta it looks like touching the tips of the chin with the brush turned forward.

Language sign language in different countries, shrugging shoulders, strangely enough, almost everywhere the same: uncertainty and misunderstanding.

By scrolling the index finger at the temple, Russians and Frenchmen express the stupidity of the interlocutor or certify the nonsense and absurdity uttered by his mouth. In Spain, the same gesture will indicate a lack of confidence in the speaker, and in Holland, on the contrary, his wit. The Englishman will interpret the movements of the temple as "live with your mind", in Italy this will indicate a benevolent disposition towards the interlocutor.

Thumb movement

In America, the thumb, raised 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 road of Greece, will look pretty ridiculous. In Saudi Arabia, this gesture, accompanied by the rotational movement of the thumb, has a more offensive interpretation and means "roll from here". The Englishman and the Australian will perceive this sign as an insult to the sexual nature, from the Arabs it is associated with a phallic symbol. The thumb of the hand in conjunction with other gestures signifies power and superiority. Also used in situations where a certain authority tries to show its own advantage over the others, which it is ready to simply crush with a finger. Thus, gestures in different countries of the world bear completely different semantic load and can inadvertently insult the interlocutor.

Interestingly, this finger is treated by Italians: this is the starting point. For Russians and Englishmen, he will be the fifth, and the account begins with the index.

The multifaceted meaning of all understandable "okay"

A well-known worldwide sign formed by the index finger and thumb in the form of a digit "zero" has existed for more than 2500 years. The gesture "okay" in different countries differs in its semantic interpretation and has many meanings:

• "Everything is fine," "okay" - In the US and a number of other countries;
• "Dummy", "zero" - in Germany and France;
• "Money" - in Japan;
• "Went to hell" - in Syria;
• "I will kill you" - in Tunisia;
• The fifth point is in Brazil;
• Homosexuals - in the countries of the Mediterranean basin;
• Just an indecent 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-known statement or a subtle aphorism. Then this gesture was forgotten and a new birth acquired in the 19th century in America, denoted the modern "all is well". The difference of gestures in different countries was the reason for the precedent in Germany, when one driver showed a sign "okay" from the window of his car to a policeman, passing by. The latter was insulted and sued the offender. The judge acquitted the driver after studying various literature. The motivation was the double meaning of this sign, acceptable in Germany. A treat the shown sign, each is free in its own way, as the importance 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 filing of Winston Churchill. On his outstretched hand, turned to the speaker by the back, he means "victory". If the hand is positioned differently - the gesture is offensive and means "shut up".

A little bit about indecent gestures

The designation of gestures in different countries sometimes has such an opposite meaning that one can only wonder at the imagination of the inhabitants. Familiar to everyone since childhood, the kukish has been used successfully in ancient times. Japanese women, expressing their agreement to serve the client, used this gesture. For the Slavs, he acted as a guard against evil spirits, spoiling and evil eye. Modern folk medicine perceives a combination of three fingers in the same way as in the old days, and even treats it with barley on the eye. Although the general understanding of this gesture is offensive.

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

The most indecent and recognizable gesture, existing since ancient times, is the raised middle finger, which corresponds to a very indecent cursing. This sign symbolizes the male sexual organ, and the adjacent adjacent fingers are the scrotum.

Crossed index and middle fingers denote female genitalia, and in the West they are used as a defense against the evil eye.

Gestures in different countries of the world are interesting, inviting the interlocutor to drink. In Russia, this is a well-known flick of the fingers on the throat, and the Frenchman must scratch with his thumb and index finger for this.

A truly French gesture

The same Frenchman (a Mexican, an Italian, a Spaniard), if he wants to point out a certain refinement and refinement, brings the jointed tips of his three fingers to his lips and, lifting his chin high, sends an air kiss. In this way he expresses admiration. And this sign for residents of these countries is so familiar as for the Slavs with a nod of their head.

Rubbing with the index finger of the base of the nose speaks about doubt and suspicious attitude towards the interlocutor. In Holland, this gesture will indicate the alcoholic intoxication of a person, in England - on secrecy and conspiracy. The touch of the earlobe in the finger is considered offensive in Spain, it means "among us gay". In Lebanon, this phrase is treated with a simple scratching of the eyebrows.

As a sign of enthusiasm for someone's idea, the German raises his eyebrows admiringly. The Englishman will take this gesture as a skeptical attitude to his words. But, knocking himself on the forehead, he will show satisfaction with himself, his own ingenuity. The same gesture in the representative of the Netherlands, only with an extended index finger, indicates satisfaction with the mind of the interlocutor. If the index finger is directed to the side, then the partner in the dialogue, to put it mildly, is the booby.

Gestures of the hands in different countries amaze with their interpretation. So, in Russia, two forefingers that are exposed and rubbing against each other designate "a well-matched couple", in Japan the same gesture expresses the unsolvability 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, do not take this situation from the negative side. It just means: "I do not plan anything against you. Stay calm".

The sign "Caution!" In Italy and Spain is expressed by pulling the index finger of the left arm of the lower eyelid. If an Englishman decides to teach someone a lesson, he will lift up two fingers connected together, which will mean the intention. In America, this gesture is perceived differently - as the coherence of the actions of two people, their cohesion.

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

The combination of the index finger and little finger, forming the "horns", the Frenchman will be perceived as a statement of the infidelity of his half, and for the Italians this gesture is considered an amulet from the evil eye, in Colombia - the wish for success. The "goat" sign is an international symbol of metalworkers.

Zigzag movement with the index finger in India will convince a person of the lie he utters.

Interesting attitude of different cultures to the location of hands. So, in the Middle East, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Africa and Indonesia, the left hand is considered dirty, so in no case can it be given to anyone money, food, gifts, or to eat. With care, you need to treat the hands dropped into the pockets of your trousers. In Argentina, this is considered indecent. In Japan, you can not pull up the belt in public, as this can be perceived as the beginning of hara-kiri.

Welcome ethics

Gestures of greeting in different countries also differ uniqueness. The first thing we do when we meet is called a surname. In Japan, the name is not used even in informal meetings. Necessary is a formal bow with folded hands on the chest. The deeper, the more respect the guest expresses. In Spain, the greeting, in addition to the usual handshake, is often accompanied by a violent expression of joy and embraces.

In Lapland, greeting each other, people rub their noses.

Farewell for different cultures is also different. The Italians, with a hand, will slap the man on the back with pleasure, thereby showing the disposition towards him; In France, this gesture means "get out and never come here again".

Gestures at Parting

In Latin America, people say goodbye, beckoning with a hand, which in Russia is perceived as an invitation to come. Europeans at parting raise their palms up and move their fingers. Inhabitants of the Andaman Islands at farewell take the palm of the departing in hands, bring to their lips and gently blow on it.

Now about the gifts. In China, they are accepted with both hands, otherwise it will be regarded as disrespect. It is advisable to develop a present with the person giving it and to bow necessarily, thereby expressing gratitude. You can not 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 unfold the gifts at home, so as not to put the person in an embarrassing position because of the possible modesty of the offering.

Smile is the most "convertible" gesture

Nonverbal communication (body language) is a wordless exchange of information with the help of facial expressions or gestures and allows a person to express his thoughts as effectively as possible. Gestures non-verbal in different countries are characterized by a different semantic load. The only universal tool that allows to locate the interlocutor is a smile: sincere and open. Therefore, using different gestures in different countries, it is always worthwhile to "grab" with you on the road exactly this magic tool.