The language of gesture has evolved very differently in various parts of the world. Signs that are perfectly acceptable in one place are the height of vulgarity - or even obscenity- in another.
V sign for peace
The V sign gesture
is made by holding up the index finger and the middle finger. The Allied
nations used the sign to signal victory during World War II. But it was the
former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill that made the sign famous in World
War II. But it was anti-war activists that later adopted the sign as a peace
symbol.
But flip the sign around
There is a huge difference between the vulgar two-fingered V-sign, made
with the palm facing inwards, and the V for victory sign, with the palm, reversed.
In the US, both
ways refer to peace but in the UK, Australia, South Africa, and some other
countries the same popular victory sign gestures on the flip position are
considered insulting.
Worse still with V
sign gesture of your palm facing inward with the two fingers spread with one
each on the corner of your mouth with your tongue stuck out. This signifies
oral sex.
The OK sign
Circle made with thumb and index finger. In the US and in most
English-Speaking world this hand gesture is used for an OK sign, meaning, okay,
alright, great, fine, or perfect. In Tunisia, it could land in you trouble as it
means, “I will kill you” in Japan, it is a sign of money, it mimics the shape of
a coin. In France, this gesture means “zero.”
In Brazil, an OK sign is
considered a rude gesture as it suggests a sexual insult. When Richard Nixon
visited Brazil in the1950s and flashed the “OK sigh” to a waiting crowd on a
visit to Rio de Janeiro he was greeted with boos.
Hands on hips
Are you fond of placing your hands on your hips? In some countries, it is
a sign of authority and self-assertion. But not in southern Italy where it means
malicious detachment or hostility. In Mexico and other South American
countries, it suggests sheer hostility.
Hands in
pocket
Keeping your hands out of your pockets is cool and fashionable but in Japan, Korea, and some Asian culture it’s a sign of arrogance and plain
rudeness.
Sitting with
soles of feet or shoes exposed
In the US and Europe sitting with the soles of the feet or shoes exposed is
seen relaxed posture. While in Egypt, Malaysia, and most Muslim nations it’s a
sign of disrespect.
Sitting with
legs crossed
This is posture is generally disrespectful outside Europe and North
America, especially in Saudi Arabia, Ghana, and Turkey.
Tapping the
forehead
When you tap your forehead in countries like Germany, the Netherlands,
Russia, the Czech Republic, and most of Europe, it means you are stupid. So don’t
tap your forehead when relating with anyone in those places. In India, it’s a
sign of “I’m sorry.” In the UK, it’s a sign that says, “I can’t remember, my
brain needs attention”
Palm
upwards, fingers spread (Holding your palms out)
In North America and the UK, this gesture connotes stopping. In Nigeria, it’s
offensive, in Greece, holding your palms out is obscene and in Chile, it’s a
sign of you are stupid.
Thumbs up
The thumb-up is widely used to suggest approval or agreement in the US, UK, and most of Europe. In the Arab world and most parts of Italy, and Greece, it’s a vulgar
sign of disapproval. In Bangladesh, it’s
used as an insult.
Never cross
your fingers in Vietnam
If you are in love crossing your finger hoping for good luck as practiced in
some cultures across the globe that’s no problem. But in Vietnam, it’s uncouth
and thought to resemble female genitals.
Come here
hand gesture
In the United States, you can ask a person to step forward by curling your
index finger - making the come here gesture. That’s cool, but don’t try that in
Asia. In many Asian countries, they see it as derogatory, suggesting seeing them as subservient and inferior. This gesture is so offensive in the
Philippines that you can actually get arrested for using it. The sign should
only be used to beckon dogs,
One-handed
giving in Japan
People in the West aren’t mindful of their hands when they offer objects
to others. Though not insulting, in Japan, especially when doing business. As
small as a business card is they expect you to offer it with both hands. They see
it as polite to offer things to others with both hands and add a slight bow of the
head. The Japanese regard this as a sign of respect and standard business
etiquette.
Thumb under
the index finger
Looking at
your watch
It’s normal to look at your watch but when in the Middle East and you are
into a conversation, don’t look at your watch, let the conservation run its
natural course. In Arabic culture, they consider it rude to look at your mid-conversation.
Head nodding
or shaking
When you nod your head, it is a ‘’yes’’ sign or agreeing or affirming something. In some Eastern European countries, in particular, Bulgaria,
nodding your head connotes saying ‘’no’’, and shaking your head "no" means
"yes." So, when in those places, know when to nod your or shake your
to agree or disagree.
Pat on the
head
In North America, an open-palmed pat on the head of a child is a gesture
of fondness. A pat on the head is sometimes used to get the child’s attention.
Don’t pat a child's head in India, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, it is considered
offensive because they believe the head to be the seat of the soul.
Feet
gestures
How clean are your feet? In India, however clean don’t show the sole of
your feet or use your feet to point or touch things. As good as having a
pedicure is, avoid it public in India. They see the feet as unclean and the lowest
part of the body.
Crossed arms
In Finland, crossing your arms in front of you is considered a sign of
arrogance. This posture is likely to get you into a fight by posing that in a
bar.
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