Archive: Favorite Gestures
Every culture has its ways to communicate non-verbally. The wrong sign can get the innocent traveler into big fist-shaking trouble. Please share any insights you've picked up in your travels.
Russia has the best-looking women that I have ever seen. Being single and alone in Moscow, I winked at a good-looking gal on the subway, and when we got off, I strolled up beside her and asked if she spoke English, and she said something in disgust and walked away. Later, I found out that winking to a Russian woman means you think they are a prostitute.
In Russia when you want a taxi, you just extend your arm toward the road. It may not be a taxi that stops but a private car that will take you where you want at a reasonable fare.
Clyde Hyde <email>
Centralia, WA USA 02/22/99
Re: Jeremiah's comments about the "horns" gesture. A friend of mine who went to U. of Texas-Austin had the misfortune of displaying his school's "hook 'em horns" gesture in Italy, which is exactly the Italian "cornuto" gesture he describes.
Luckily, a friendly Italian student who had studied in the US quickly told him it was not a good idea.
Paul Hughes <email>
Albuquerque, NM USA 01/18/99
The French and Italians (and probably other cultures) start counting with their thumbs — so "one" is a thumb in the air, similar to hitch-hiking. If you use the standard American single forefinger you may end up with two of what you want. Until I remember this and adjust my gestures, I often confuse people in shops by asking for one and signaling for two!
A.K.
San Francisco, CA USA 01/06/99
In many middle eastern countries, the American "thumbs up" hand gesture indicating success or approval can get you into trouble real fast, where it essentially means the same thing as the "middle finger" does in the U.S.!
Jim LaCrosse <email>
USA 12/08/98
In America, opening your mouth and putting a finger in means "gag me" or "gross". In parts of Europe, however, Holland and Scandinavia especially, where women are considered to be more "sexually liberal," or in bars where hookers are present, it is a request for oral sex. And depending on who it is directed at, it could mean a black eye, or possibly an "authentic European experience." So try your luck!
Rob
Ann Arbor, MI USA 11/22/98
If you're looking to get beat up in Italy, here's a simple device that will quickly have you in the fetal position: just hold up a fist to a male passerby with your index and pinky fingers extended, a gesture used in the U.S. to denote Satanist leanings. In Italiano, it means that someone is intimately involved with the man's wife or girlfriend — most often, by inference, you. This is called "giving someone the horns" and will certainly get you pummelled mercilessly, especially if a third party noticed the gesture. It works especially well if said wife or girlfriend is present.
Jeremiah McNichols <email>
San Francisco, CA USA 11/10/98
In England, the "peace sign" gesture (holding up two fingers in a V formation) is the equivalent of "giving the finger" if done with your palm towards you.
In Arab countries, it is considered extremly rude to hand anything to a person with your left hand. The left hand is considered to be the "wiping" (as in bathroom) hand and therefore unclean. So left-handed people beware.
Peggy H. <email>
Torrance, CA USA 11/06/98
I don't know that this is actually a gesture but it needs to be said. In some countries, when paying for things, you are expected to lay the money on the counter in a dish. Change will be given back the same way. It is considered impolite to put the money into the person's hand. Looke for clues like plastic advertiser plates near the cash registers.
Lisa Stine <email>
Washington, DC USA 11/04/98
Do not make the mistake of flashing the all-American "OK" sign in Italy. Some local machismo will think you are questioning his manhood...and will go 10 rounds to prove it!
Cindy <email>
Monroe, GA USA 10/31/98
In Greece, cross your legs at the ankles or not at all — it's considered an insult to present the bottom of your foot to someone else's view.
Cosmo <email>
Baltimore, MD USA 10/23/98
When we order five of something we generally hold up five fingers, palm out. If you do this to someone in Greece you have just cursed his/her family for five generations. Things could get bloody from there. Always turn your palm toward yourself if you are going to hold up fingers — also be careful how you wave at someone for the same reason. Our American style of wave is palm out, five fingers splayed. Keep your fingers together if you must wave — palm in is even better.
Lynne <email>
Union, WA USA 10/23/98