Interesting gestures from different countries. Kukish as a medicine and a talisman against evil spirits
When traveling to different countries, it is important to remember that not only what you say, but also how and when you say it matters. It is also important what gestures you use. What is considered a norm or even a friendly gesture in one culture may seem insulting and insulting in another. Therefore, if you are going on a trip to explore new countries, be prepared to encounter their unusual traditions.
Thumbs up!
One of the most popular gestures among travelers is the thumbs up. In America, for example, this sign has a very positive value — "ok, well done". Often used by hitchhikers. It appeared in Roman times, when at the end of gladiatorial fights the audience raised their finger up, which meant the desire to save the life of the gladiator, or vice versa - down, which meant the death of the competition. But do not use this gesture in some parts of the Middle East, the countries of the Mediterranean basin and Southeast Asia. This gesture in these countries can be perceived as something of a rude "Up yours"(go away).
V sign
The most seemingly peaceful sign can also cause some problems if used in the wrong place at the wrong time. Usually people use it to mean victory(win) or "peace"(peace), or simply to denote the number "two". It was also used by Winston Churchill, speaking of the victory over fascism, and the hippies made it their symbol, denoting world peace. But not everything is so simple. If you arrive in one of the English-speaking countries such as the UK, New Zealand, Australia or Ireland, use this gesture correctly, i.e. the palm should be turned to the interlocutor. If you turn it on the other side - towards yourself, then this sign will acquire the opposite meaning - screw you(fuck off, got it, fuck you), which naturally can cause a corresponding reaction from the interlocutor.
Devil Horns
This gesture has different names. It is also called "heavy metal" for the addiction of hard rock fans to this gesture or "Texas Longhorn", since it is also a symbol of the state of Texas. But in some countries, such as Cuba, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Brazil and Colombia, this gesture is shown to a man, meaning that he is a "cuckold" or, as they say in English, "cuckold", i.e. his wife is not faithful to him. Often irritated drivers exchange such gestures in addition to expressive expressions showing their displeasure. Although, remember that this gesture is very, very ambiguous. If, in addition to the index finger and little finger, you also raise your thumb, then this sign in the United States of America can mean words that do not require translation "I love you". Most importantly, do not forget about the thumb, so that instead of a reciprocal declaration of love, you do not run into rudeness.
Come here
Often people in different countries use a gesture with the index finger, calling someone to him. Of course, depending on the specific situation, this can be perceived as a romantic proposal, or it can be somewhat humiliating. But who would have thought that this gesture could be criminal! If you decide to call a person to you in the Philippines in this way, you can easily end up behind bars, since the islands' legislation states that you can only address dogs in this way, but not people.
Everything's OK
If you like to underline words with gestures, and when saying that everything is in order, put your index finger and thumb into the letter "o", then others will not always understand this gesture as OK. This is acceptable in the United States, but it has other meanings in other countries. For example, in Brazil, Turkey and some countries of the Mediterranean basin, this gesture is perceived as "you are a homosexual", which can be very offensive to a person who is not. And in France and Belgium, this gesture means that you perceive the interlocutor no more and no less than zero, i.e. zero, which, you see, is not very pleasant either.
Stop!
Very often in the expanses of post-Soviet countries people use tin with the whole palm with five fingers raised up to mean the word "stop, stop." You can even come across old posters calling for a sober lifestyle depicting this gesture. But it cannot be called international, because in Greece, for example, this gesture calls not to stop, but, on the contrary, to go, but not in a very pleasant direction: go to hell(go to hell).
tone
Protruding tongue can sometimes lead to unpleasant consequences. If in some countries this can be perceived simply as tomfoolery, then in some - as outright rudeness or even a violation of order. For example, in New Zealand, sticking out the tongue can mean a serious insult and threat. Well, in Australia, you can get into a fight for this. In Italy, a few years ago, a farmer was convicted for showing his tongue to a neighbor, and he had to pay him compensation. If you show such a gesture on the roads in Germany to another driver, you can also get a fine.
That's how interesting people in different countries perceive sign language. Therefore, be extremely careful when choosing them. Sometimes it's better to say what you want in words. To do this, take an English course for traveling with us. He will definitely never let you down.
Big and friendly family EnglishDom
In communication, we use gestures that seem familiar to us and quite unambiguous in meaning. Meanwhile, different peoples have their own system of communication, and often it is fundamentally different from ours. Without any malicious intent, one gesture can destroy the fine line of trust and understanding. It is useful to know about this when going to distant countries.
Sign language
Thus, a simple shaking of the head from side to side, which in Russia and most of Europe means "no", in Bulgaria, Greece and India means approval, while a nod of the head means disagreement. An unusual gesture of denial exists among the Neapolitans - it is an upturned head with a disapproving protruding lower lip. In Japan, the word "no" is expressed by shaking the palms from side to side. In Malta, disagreement is expressed by touching the tips of the fingers to the chin, while turning the brush forward. But in Italy and France, the same gesture indicates that a person has some kind of pain.
The “OK” gesture, already familiar to most Russians, also causes an ambiguous attitude. Surprisingly, this sign is more than 2500 years old. Among the Greeks, it was a symbol of love - the image of kissing lips, as well as praise to the speaker for an accurate statement or a subtle aphorism. Later, this gesture became a thing of the past and became popular again in America at the beginning of the 19th century. The press at that time campaigned to reduce words and catchphrases to their initial letters. The circle representing the letter "o" in the word "ok" became a symbol that "everything good", and today in Western countries this gesture is perceived unequivocally as an approving, positive gesture.
However, in some countries this sign has a completely different meaning. In Brazil, this gesture is considered offensive and symbolizes the fifth point. In Japan it means money, in Syria it means "go to hell", and in Tunisia it means "I'll kill you". In several Mediterranean countries, this gesture is used to refer to homosexuals. In France and Germany, this gesture will also offend and be interpreted as zero, "they say, you are an absolute empty shell."
There was even a precedent in a German court for this seemingly harmless gesture. A certain driver, in passing, insulted the policeman by showing him from the car window the thumb and forefinger of his hand, closed in a ring. But the German policeman was offended and sued. The judge, having thoroughly studied the relevant literature and asked psychologists, came to the conclusion that both meanings of this signal are accepted in Germany, and how to understand it is a personal matter for everyone. The driver was acquitted.
Such a common gesture as a thumbs up, which means "everything is fine" among Russians, is also interpreted differently. So, in Greece, this gesture means "shut up", and in Muslim countries it is considered indecent. Moreover, in Saudi Arabia, this gesture rotary motion thumb means "get out of here."
It is worth considering carefully abroad and the impulse to put your hands in your pants pockets. For example, in Argentina, a police officer may point out indecent behavior to a person who puts his hands in his pants pockets. And in Japan, you shouldn't tighten your belt in public. This may be perceived as the beginning of hara-kiri.
Interestingly, the hand extended in the form of a request for alms in Italy means a call to explain something, as well as a question mark. The gesture "money" in the countries of the Middle East is a signal of danger or a call not to rush. On the other hand, the “horn” gesture, offensive in Russia, is considered by the Italians as a remedy for the evil eye.
The fig familiar to everyone since childhood has a very ancient origin. For example, in Japan, street ladies used this intricate figure in the old days, expressing their readiness to serve a client. But among the Slavs, on the contrary, he was revered and used as a talisman against evil spirits. Our ancestors, with the help of the fig, averted the evil eye and damage, and also identified demons. To protect yourself or your child from the evil eye, you should quietly fold the cookie. It was believed that a sorcerer or witch could not calmly pass by a person who had two figs in his pockets, and they would definitely give themselves away with something.
Over time, the figurine changed its meaning and turned into an indecent, offensive gesture that is not allowed in etiquette communication. Only in folk medicine Fukish is still a magical remedy in the treatment of certain diseases, such as "barley" on the eyelid. And in the language of truckers, it simply means a stone stuck between adjacent tires of one wheel.
It is worth noting that for a Spaniard it is considered offensive to touch the earlobe. The fact is that in Spain such a gesture means "there is a gay among us." The simple scratching of the eyebrows has a similar meaning in Lebanon.
Putting the index finger to the temple in France, as in Russia, indicates the stupidity of the interlocutor. But in Holland, it means a fairly smart person, and an Englishman will regard this gesture as the phrase "live with your mind." Touching your finger to the century in Italy, you can express your benevolent attitude towards the interlocutor, as if to tell him: "I see, you are a good person."
In Spain, the same gesture is understood as a doubt about the veracity of the words spoken, and in France it is similar to the phrase "your words are an empty phrase." Even the usual for Russian people call to drink in the form of a click on the neck in Italy is regarded as a health problem and a sore throat. Interestingly, the French have an unambiguous proposal to figure out "for three" is expressed in the form of a simple scratching of the nose with the thumb and forefinger.
They even say goodbye in different countries in different ways. So, Italians rarely give a hand, but with pleasure they will slap a person on the back when parting. But among the French, such a gesture means "Get out and never appear here again!"
In an unusual way for Russians, they also say goodbye in Latin America: they wave their palms the way we do when we call someone to our place. Europeans, saying goodbye, wave their palm, raising it up and moving their fingers. And the inhabitants of the Andaman Islands, in parting, bring the palm of a friend to their lips and gently blow on it.
When meeting people in many countries, including China and Japan, it is customary to give the last name first. In Japan, the name is practically not used, even at informal meetings, and the official bow is a necessary ritual when meeting.
In addition to gestures, being in an unfamiliar country, you should also carefully consider the choice of phrases. So, in the UK, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany and North America, everything you say will be understood by the interlocutor literally. France, Japan, Spain, Greece, Italy, Saudi Arabia, China, South Korea- vice versa. Much more important is the subtext, usually indicated by an accompanying gesture.
It is worth noting that the British, stingy with gestures, try not to touch each other and carefully maintain an "arm's length" distance when talking. Even on the prospectuses of airlines operating overseas, they placed the following warning: "Be careful - your gestures can put you in an ambiguous position."
Gestures and their meaning among different peoples of the worldIn our life, we can use different gestures for communication, which are clear to us from childhood. AT modern world there is a constant migration of the population, we began to travel more outside our country, on a business trip, rest. And abroad, embarrassment can happen to us.
Often the same gesture among different peoples can have not only different, but also directly opposite meanings. Below are just some gestures and their meanings, you can add your own in the comments
So, if in Holland you turn your index finger at your temple, implying some kind of stupidity, you yourself can find yourself in a stupid position. Because in Holland this gesture means that someone said a very witty phrase.
Speaking about himself, a European shows his hand to his chest, and a Japanese - to his nose.
The inhabitants of Malta, instead of the word "no", lightly touch their chin with their fingertips, turning the brush forward.
In France and Italy, this gesture means that something hurts a person.
In Greece and Turkey, you should never show two fingers to a waiter, pointing to two coffees or two servings of something - this is a harsh insult, like spitting in the face.
The usual affirmative nod of the head in southern Yugoslavia is a sign of denial.
Germans often raise their eyebrows in admiration for someone's idea. But the same thing in England will be regarded as an expression of skepticism.
A Frenchman or Italian, if he thinks any idea is stupid, expressively knocks on his head. The German slaps his forehead with his palm, as if to say: "Yes, you're crazy." And the Briton or Spaniard with the same gesture shows how pleased he is with himself.
The French have the most expressive sign language. When the Frenchman is delighted with something, he connects the tips of three fingers, brings them to his lips and, raising his chin high, sends a gentle kiss into the air. If he rubs the base of his nose with his index finger, then this means that he warns: "Something is unclean here", "carefully", "these people cannot be trusted."
The most ancient gesture is “horns”: the little finger and forefinger are extended forward, and
ring and middle fingers are bent. The origin of this gesture dates back to
approximately VI-IV millennium BC. His image can be found in
cave drawings, frescoes in the tombs of the Etruscans who inhabited the territory
modern Italy. It is claimed that in those days this gesture was used to
scare away evil spirits.
Over time, the old meaning was replaced by a new one,
associated mainly with adultery in marriage. Showing the "horns" to the interlocutor, you
call him a cuckold. Although this gesture is understandable to many peoples of Europe, nevertheless
on other continents, it must be used very carefully, as it can
understand differently.
Kukish is an indecent, insulting gesture that is not allowed in etiquette communication.
The symbolism of the fig is quite obvious: it depicts the combination of male and female
genitals. Showing a man a fig means inflicting a direct insult on him,
and the fig in the pocket symbolizes disagreement, internal resistance, which
encourages deceit and swindle. Kukish has a very ancient origin.
and known to many peoples of the world. Museums in different countries keep ancient amulets in
the form of a hand with a fig.
In the Russian tradition, the fig was used as a talisman against
unclean power. It was believed that with its help you can recognize the witch. In folk
medicine fig is a magical remedy in the treatment of certain diseases, in particular
"barley" on the century. A fiddle was brought to the sore eye with the words “Eye fiddle, on
you shish" or "Barley, barley, you're a fiddle, you can buy whatever you want: buy
hatchet, cut yourself across.
V - shaped finger sign
This sign is very popular in the UK and Australia and has an offensive
interpretation. During World War II, Winston Churchill popularized
this sign is to indicate victory, but for this the hand is turned with its back to
speaker. If, with this gesture, the hand is turned with the palm towards the speaker, then the gesture
acquires an offensive meaning - "shut up." In most European countries,
however, the V gesture means "victory" anyway, so if an Englishman
wants with this gesture to tell the European to shut up, he will be perplexed,
what victory did the Englishman mean. In many countries this sign also means
number "2".
Thumb up
In America, England, Australia and New Zealand, thumbs up
has three meanings. It is usually used when voting on the road, in an attempt
catch a passing car. The second meaning is "everything is ok" and when big
the finger is sharply thrown up, this becomes an offensive sign,
meaning a swear word or, more simply, "sit on it." AT
in some countries, such as Greece, this gesture means "shut up", so
one can imagine the position of an American trying to catch with such a gesture
car in a Greek city! When Italians start counting from one to five,
this gesture stands for "1" and the index finger stands for "2". When they count
Americans and British, the index finger means "1" and the middle finger means "2"; in
in this case, the thumb represents the number "5".
The meaning of "OK" is well known in all English-speaking countries, as well as in Europe and Asia, but in some countries this gesture has a different
meaning and origin. For example, in France it means "zero" or "nothing",
in Japan it means "money", and in some countries of the Mediterranean basin
this gesture is used to denote homosexuality
men.
Therefore, when traveling to different countries, please do not forget about
proverb “With your charter, you don’t go to someone else’s monastery.” This will help you avoid
possible embarrassing, and possibly dangerous situations. Have a nice holiday!
Remember that different nations have the same gestures have completely different meanings.
"Come here"
The calling sign with the index finger saying "come to me" is taboo in Asian countries. In the Philippines, this gesture is only appropriate for dogs and indicates that you consider the interlocutor to be lower than you. Moreover, the use of such a gesture can lead to arrest in that country.
"Goat" is loved by rock musicians, metalheads and their fans. However, you should not show it in Italy, Spain or Macedonia, especially to a man, as the gesture hints at the infidelity of the addressee's wife ("cuckold"). Among superstitious people in Western countries, the sign "goat" means the same as we have a spit over our shoulder, that is, the usual protection from the evil eye, witches and various evil spirits.
"Like"
The usual “like”, a gesture of consent and approval, often erases language barriers, and hitchhikers often vote for them on the road.
However, in Thailand it is a sign of condemnation. Although it is more childlike, like sticking out the tongue, it should be avoided. In Iran, this is an offensive gesture, the equivalent of the middle finger. In some other countries, such as Greece, such a gesture means "shut up."
Gesture "Victory"
The gesture, which is shown with the index and middle fingers of the hand in the form of the letter V, in many countries means victory or peace. However, if the palm is facing the person, then in the UK, Ireland and Australia, the V-shaped gesture acquires an insulting gesture, which is the non-verbal equivalent of the phrase "fuck off!".
The fact is that the English archers, who intimidated the enemies in the 100-year Anglo-French War, were cut off precisely these two fingers on their right hand so that they could no longer shoot from bows. And if the archer showed undamaged fingers like that, it meant “be afraid, enemies!”. The French perceived this gesture as an insult to them.
exposed palm
The outstretched hand, which expresses a request to stop or stop, in Greece takes on a different meaning. The palms directed towards the interlocutor - the so-called "munza" - are used when they want to express extreme indignation or "send" the interlocutor. This gesture has been left over from Byzantine times, when cinder was smeared over the face of a criminal to ridicule him.
Stroking on the head
Stroking a child on the head is usually a gesture of friendliness and tenderness. However, in the Buddhist religion, the crown is the highest point of the body, that is, the place where the soul lives. Touching the top of the head is an aggressive intrusion into a person's space. This gesture should be avoided in countries where most people practice Buddhism.
"Fig"
The gesture "fig", "shish" or "fig" is used in case of refusal or disagreement. In Brazil and Portugal, this is a more benevolent gesture, a way of wishing good luck and protection from the evil eye. In Turkey, it has an aggressive and rude nature, the equivalent of which is the middle finger. Fingers folded in a fig are associated with sex in many countries. In Arab countries, kukish means a sexual insult. In France, this figure of three fingers means the same as the extended middle finger of the hand.
offer, invitation
In many countries, people do not pay attention to what hand they offer something to other people. However, in India, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East, the left hand is considered "dirty". Even a left-hander should eat with his right hand, as only it is considered suitable for eating. The same goes for shaking hands and passing objects. But in Japan, it is considered polite when you give with both hands, while a gesture with one hand may suggest neglect.
Crossed fingers
In many Western countries, people cross their index and middle fingers for good luck or the evil eye. In Vietnam, this gesture is considered offensive, especially if you are looking at the other person. It is believed that the crossed fingers represent the female genital organs.
Middle finger
This is the most famous and recognizable indecent gesture in the whole world, which is shown when they want to send the interlocutor to hell, end the conversation or rudely refuse. In addition, this is one of the most ancient gestures, which was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as by monkeys. In Asian countries, however, the middle finger is sometimes used to indicate something.
Gesture OK
Thumb and forefinger ring meaning "everything is alright!" or "OK", in French means "zero" or "worthless". In Greece and Turkey, this gesture is considered a hint of homosexuality. And in some countries of the Middle East, for example, in Kuwait, it means the evil eye.
Other gestures in different countries
In Argentina, keeping your hands in your pockets is considered indecent, in Japan it is not recommended to tighten your belt in public - this means the beginning of hara-kiri. Bulgarians, Greeks and Turks, when they say "Yes", shake their heads from side to side, but for us it means "No". By touching the century with a finger, in Italy they express benevolence, in Spain, with the help of this gesture, they express their doubt about the veracity of what was said, and the Frenchman makes it clear to the person with such a gesture that he talks too much. When an Englishman wants to teach someone a lesson, he raises two fingers folded together, and in the USA this gesture means a single whole, a team.
Few understand the power they have in their hands. There are times when own hands can save or literally betray, and all this happens without your conscious participation. Of course, if you don't know how hand language works.
A person who speaks the language of non-verbal communication has a lot of advantages over his counterpart, and is able to hear not only what the interlocutor is talking about, but also understand what he is thinking about, or what he is not talking about. But let's talk about everything in order.
Some stories about the origin of hand gestures
Today, many of the hand-showing symbols are internationally spelled and are equally understood by New Zealand Maori and African Masai. Why did it happen?
Why do the military put their hand to the head to greet, or to praise a person, we raise the thumb up, and to insult - the middle one? The answers to these questions came to us from the past. Let's analyze the history of some of these gestures in more detail.
- Thumb up. Shows that everything is fine, and you are doing well. This movement came to us from antiquity. The Roman public, during gladiator fights, signaled in this way that for the diligence and diligence shown by the defeated slave during the battle, he could save his life. A lowered thumb did not bode well for the unfortunate warrior. Since then, it has become customary: the thumb points to the sky - you are at a height, to the ground - you are a bit of a loser;
- The greeting of the military when addressing the chief or when raising the flag, by offering an open palm to the head, is borrowed from medieval knights. In those ancient times, in order to show the purity of their thoughts, the warriors, at a meeting, raised their visor, thereby demonstrating the friendliness of their plans. Another version of the origin of this sign is associated with earlier periods of human history. In ancient times, given in order to show that only the sun is higher than their ruler, when meeting with the autocrat, they covered their eyes with their hands, thereby demonstrating humility. Over time, the form of the gesture has changed slightly, but the content has remained unchanged. People in uniform show their respect and commitment to superiors or state symbol by raising the hand to the head;
- A hand extended at a meeting, or a handshake. The origin of this greeting is explained quite simply. In ancient times, an outstretched hand, without weapons, symbolized your peace plans and respect;
- Raised middle finger. There are at least two explanations for this obscene gesture. According to one version, the ancient Greeks showed this symbol to those with whom they would like to perform actions, the meaning of which reflects what we mean by demonstrating this gesture today. Another option goes back to the beginning of the 15th century, when, during the Franco-English battle of Azincourt, French soldiers cut off the middle fingers of a captured English archer so that they could not shoot at them later. Naturally, those of the English, whom the vile Frenchmen could not catch, showed them their middle fingers from a safe distance, thereby showing their disdain and courage. Why didn't the French just kill the prisoners? The question remains open;
- The so-called goat. A symbol that distinguishes true "metalheads" from the people around them. In one version, it is said that the sign originated among the ancient Vikings, and symbolized the Scandinavian rune that protects its owner from the evil eye. According to another version, this is the “springing” of Soviet prisoners, who, in order not to go to work, simply cut their tendons, and the hand took this shape spontaneously. Today, this symbol of coolness says that the person demonstrating it is a principled "thief in law", and he will not collect popcorn scattered in the cinema;
- The well-known American OK. There may be variations in this gesture depending on the part of the world in which you are. In some nations, it symbolizes that your affairs are in perfect order, in others it means that you are a “complete zero”, and in some it demonstrates problems with the large intestine. According to one of the most plausible versions, this sign was borrowed from the non-verbal language of the native American inhabitants - the Indians, who thus showed their fellow tribesmen that there were no problems.
Some hand gestures and their meaning
Each gesture has its own interesting and multifaceted history, however, it's time to talk about their meaning and the practical use of this knowledge in everyday life.
open palm
In most cultures, an open hand is associated with honesty. Therefore, if you want to make people believe that you are telling the truth, it is not recommended to present your arguments with your hands clenched in fists.
At such moments, it is better to open your palms to show that you are not hiding anything.
On the other hand, be alert when someone says important things to you with their hands in their pockets or hidden behind their backs. Hidden palms do not make phrases more believable, even if they are correct. With a high degree of probability, it can be argued that your interlocutor is lying or hiding some important information from you.
Palm position up and down
The way you use your hands when communicating with others can greatly affect how they perceive your words and yourself. Ask a simple question with your palms up and people will think you're asking for a favor.
On the one hand, they will not be bothered by your request, but on the other hand, they will not feel threatened or pressured by you. If you ask this question with your palms facing down, it will be more like a requirement that must be met.
Can not only set the tone for any business or political meeting but also influence its results. When two equal interlocutors shake hands, their palms remain in a vertical position.
But if the palm of one person is facing upwards when shaking hands, this can be perceived as a symbolic surrender, and denote the superiority of another person.
When talking, your interlocutor holds his hands behind his back and makes meaningless movements with them - he is not interested in you, you should stop the meaningless conversation, or move on to another topic.
What is the meaning of finger gestures
No less revelation can be gleaned from the position of the fingers on our hands. Let's give some examples.
There is a fine line between a hand gesture and a finger gesture, but we will talk about those cases in which the movement of the fingers is an independent signal.
Some finger gestures are unintentional, and by their position one can unmistakably read what emotional state the person is in, or about his attitude to the topic of conversation.
- finger on the mouth - they lie to you;
- during a conversation, the index finger involuntarily points in the direction of another person - a clear sign of dominance;
- index finger up - you should be wary of such a person, since the gesture is often used by parents in relation to a negligent child;
- fingers are straight and tightly pressed to each other - the person has made a firm decision to achieve his goal and he does not care about sentiment;
- fingers squeeze the wrist or palm of the other hand - the interlocutor is furious, trying to restrain his emotions;
- fingers are clenched into a fist from time to time - a clear sign of a hidden threat.
What about deaf people?
Many gestures, unconsciously used in communication, are reflected in the alphabet for the deaf and dumb.
The sign languages of the deaf and dumb belong to independent languages, which consist of combinations of hand and finger movements in combination with facial expressions, the position of the mouth, lips and body.
It is a mistake to assume that sign languages for the deaf and dumb were invented by hearing people in order to convey information to the non-hearing. In fact, these languages develop quite independently.
Moreover, in one country there may be several sign languages that do not grammatically coincide with the verbal languages of this country.
As practice shows, in the absence of the ability to use sound language as a means of communication, people instinctively begin to use gestures for this. The main means of communication for this are hands and fingers.
At the same time, deaf people have a lot of gestures, the meaning of which can be understood by an unprepared person. For example, the word “peace” in the language of the deaf and dumb will look like hands clasping each other located in front of the chest, “love” is a palm raised to the lips in the form of an air kiss, and “house” is palms folded in a triangle in the form of a gable roof.
Youth hand gestures and their meaning
Our children also use sign language for their communication, and the variety of these non-verbal signs is constantly enriched by the emergence of new ones. Here are a few examples of such youth gestures, with the help of which teenagers can easily understand each other, and people of the older generation, and even middle-aged people, will remain in the dark.
Time and scientific and technological progress dictate their conditions, and this fully applies to our gestures.
More recently, a hand folded in the shape of an English L did not mean anything, but today it is a loser, a sign that you are a loser.
An extended middle finger pointing to the side can mean that you are being sent, at the same time it can be interpreted as an invitation to sex.
With fingers folded in the form of a heart, everything is simple: "I love you." But the “horned goat” with the thumb laid aside means simple sympathy.
The English V, performed by a teenager with the back of his hand turned towards you, can mean both two "Cola", and serve as the equivalent of the middle finger in the UK. And such a familiar sign as OK, but upside down, and shown at waist level or below, is a frank invitation to sex.
Thanks to the specific versatility with the help of the tongue of the hands and several widely used English words you can chat with a foreigner who happened to meet on a busy street. Of course, the supply contract gas equipment you won’t be able to conclude with him, but you can easily explain how to get to the nearest metro station or stadium.
Differences in the interpretation of familiar gestures in different countries
Do not rush to apply your wide knowledge of sign language when you are abroad. Some common symbols may have opposite meanings in different parts of the world. Let's look at the examples again.
- If you're in France, the worldwide OK turns into a big fat zero. And in Turkey, with such a gesture, you will signal that your interlocutor is gay - not a very pleasant statement in a country where the majority of people are Muslims;
- A thumbs-up and an outstretched forefinger means loser in teenage sign language, and in China this symbol represents the number eight;
- A thumbs up in Europe and America says: “Everything is cool”, and in Iran, Afghanistan and Greece this obscene gesture will be read: “I ..., you ..., and all your relatives ...”, you understand;
- The crossed index and middle fingers protect Europeans from the evil eye, and in Vietnam, such a figure denotes the female genital organ;
- The stretched forward five stops all over the world, and, as it were, says: “Wait,” and in Greece it literally translates as “Eat shit.”
If, as the proverb says, silence is golden, then continuing the associative series, in some countries, the absence of gestures is a diamond.
The gestures and their interpretation that you have read are not limited to the examples given. The purpose of our article is to popularize, interest and direct. Perhaps our theses will help solve small life problems. Or maybe not small.
Some more additional information about the most popular gestures is in the next video.