Hand gestures play an essential role in nonverbal communication. However, the same gesture may have different meanings -or even none- in different cultures. This collaborative post is an effort to bridge that gap.
India – Namaste
Namaste literally means “I bow down to you”, or “Salutations to you”, but it is used in the sense a handshake is used in the western world. For us, no matter whether the person we greet is older or younger, important or not, a man or a woman, he/she has to be greeted with due respect, and the most common way is to join our hands as you can see my son doing in the image, and say, “Namaste”. When we are greeting an older person or someone important, we bow down a bit. This shows the additional respect due to that person. Interestingly, it also replaces the ‘Goodbye”. Also, in India, Goodbye is never said in such final terms. It is always “We shall see you again” or “Come again” or “Thanks for coming”, but always accompanied by this gesture. Most often though, it is simply a Namaste, said with folded hands!
By Anu, Regional Contributor from India
Spain – Do you get it? and Let’s eat! It is a gesture you can do among friends. It is a funny way to ask “Do you get it?” with your hand. An equivalent oral expression would be “¿Lo captas?”
It is a gesture you can do among friends or family. You raise your hand and put it in front or your mouth and do the same several times. It means “Let’s eat!”. An equivalent oral expression would be “¡Vamos a comer!”
By Marta, Regional Contributor from Spain
England – Awkward turtle
Awkward Turtle is an English Teenage code (of the moment) to signal to each other that a situation is embarrassing! The thumbs have to move in circle to mimic a swimming turtle. There are many variations on this theme involving other animals or things such as Awkward Moose, Awkward Umbrella… Why? Why not! It’s the trend of the moment, it seems silly but is in fact very fun and is to Sign Language what Slang is to spoken language, a code that only the “Initiated” understand. I infiltrated the circles though…lol
By DeeBee, Regional Contributor from France
Philippines – That way
Filipinos tend to communicate through nonverbal cues most of the time. For foreigners, being observant of a Filipino’s body language and aware of these nonverbal cues would help greatly in ensuring one doesn’t get into sticky situations. For example, travelers often ask local villagers for directions to the next town or to the beautiful Mount Mayon in Albay. If the destination is close enough, the quick reaction of a Filipino is to purse one’s lips and point them that way. No, we’re not asking for a kiss. We’re just telling you that you’re almost there. “Yes, that way!”
By Bryan, Regional Contributor from the Philippines
Costa Rica – It’s so crowded!
In Costa Rica, one of the most common gestures is putting all the fingers together, pointing up, to say that a place is crowded. The origin for this gesture is unknown, but as Bud Brown explains in his video “Gestures From around the World”, it makes sense to think that every finger represents one person, and that they are all very close to each other because there isn’t much space. This hand gesture, placed in front of the body, is popular among young people who would say something like: “The bar was really packed”, while making the gesture for it.
By Nuria, Regional Contributor from Costa Rica
United States – Don’t know, OK, Peace, Thumbs Up The thumbs up
The thumbs up basically indicates approval. It can mean “that’s good”, or “yes.” Alternatively, if you point the thumb downwards, it means just the opposite (disapproval, no, that wasn’t good, etc.). The thumbs up can also be used sarcastically. If something is clearly poor quality, or if someone does something that’s obviously not good (sings off-key, almost runs you over with a car), you can give them the thumbs up with a big grin… a good example is the “cool story bro” meme: http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/cool-story-bro.
The Peace Sign Originally “V for victory”, a sign to communicate American solidarity during World War II, it came to mean “Peace” in the late 60’s early 70’s era. While not seen too frequently today (peace is apparently unpopular in America as of late), it can still be seen or used upon occasion. If you flip it around, it becomes a rather rude gesture in many other parts of the worlds. In some places, as the word “peace” has come to mean “goodbye”, it can be used as a farewell gesture, but think of it as a “slang” goodbye. You wouldn’t flash your boss the peace sign in this context.
Don’t know: The “Shoulder Shrug” (I don’t know) If you point both palms upwards, and shrug your shoulders upwards at the same time, it means “beats me”, or “I don’t know”, or also “whatever”/”doesn’t matter to me”. You can shrug your shoulders without pointing your palms up and it means the same thing, but there’s more emphasis if you use your hands too.
- Don’t know
By Sean, Regional Contributor from the USA
Always evolving: some languages of the world and where they come from
Naming children: traditions in 13 different countries
My English is not your English
Wonderful! this one has come out really well! and to think i didnt know any of the other gestures, except of course, the American ones! that speaks volumes about the extent of Americanisation! loved the turtle one the most!
I didn’t know the turtle one and I am supposed to be English! I must be out of touch haha. The gesture from the Philippines seems really subtle – something it’s hard to guess unless you’re really looking out for it. Very nice post!
Great post everyone! 😉
Anu, your kid is so cute!! 🙂
I’m very pleased with the group effort. Go PC team!
Anu, you son is such a cutie!
I love it! All the other countries seem so unique compared to Canada (which is exactly the same as the USA). Except, we are one of those “other countries” mentioned that considers turning around the peace sign a rude gesture.
Hi everyone,
It’s so fun looking through all these different signs. I like the Philippines one as it could be interpreted differently as well…i think that most nations “speak” with their hands!
And yes Anu your son is very cute!!
Ana thanks for putting my latest post (stained glass windows in Paris’ churches) in the roundup!:)
The ‘let’s eat’ is also used in South India.
In South India- I am in Kerala- many people point with their middle finger. Use of middle finger in my birth culture (USA) is considered vulgar and no one points with middle fingers.
In Tamil Nadu India there is a sign with the right hand. Thumbs up, then direct thumb to the mouth. In some places it means ‘one tea please’.
Very nice compilation. I didn’t know many of them. I saw the gesture from the Philippines many times while I was there but didn’t have the courage to ask anyone. 🙂
There is another one from India with the use of thumb. Thumbs up taken to the mouth could be interpreted for a drink or asking for water.
You need to include the Costa Rican gesture of putting the hand up and flapping it with a clicking noise when something is intense or funny, as in: Ay!
🙂
They also do this in Spain.
And, the Arabians do something similar, but they make a snapping sound. It’s really amazing!
Wow
I liked the turtle
It was greet i did not know very of them