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What do gestures mean in different countries? What do gestures mean in different countries?

We don't always express everything in words. Sometimes gestures are enough for us. In different situations, we tear the shirt on our chest, throw our hat on the ground and show the fig.

Kukish

In general, this gesture is characteristic of many cultures. In Rus', they probably learned about the fig from visiting Germans, who tried to seduce Russian young ladies with such a vulgar gesture. There is even a version that “fig” arose from the German expression fick-fick machen (this was the traditional German invitation to intimacy). In the Russian tradition, the symbol of this gesture (probably thanks to highly moral Russian women) was transformed into a designation of categorical refusal. Moreover, over time, “fig” began to be used as a protective agent against evil spirits: Apparently, due to their promiscuity, expats from German lands were considered to be demons

Slap on the throat

This gesture from the Russian drinking tradition articulated the phraseological phrase “pawn for the tie”, widespread in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This expression was born among officers, and it was invented by a certain Colonel Raevsky, “a talker and a buffoon.” By the way, he “invented” another “drinking” phrase - a little podshefe (chauff?). It is interesting that this gesture was adopted by speculators of strong drinks during the “Prohibition Law”, which Nicholas II established in Russian Empire in 1914.

Hat on the ground

An expressive gesture that articulated some desperate decision. For Russian men, a headdress (along with a beard) symbolized dignity and integration in society. Removing one's hat in public was considered a grave disgrace, a kind of civil execution. Usually debtors were subjected to this procedure. Voluntarily throwing a hat on the ground demonstrated a person’s willingness to take the most insane risks, in which the price of failure could be the person’s expulsion from society.

Head scratching

A Russian person scratches his head when he is puzzled by something. The question is - for what? Of course, it is unlikely to stimulate blood circulation in the brain. One version says that this gesture came from folk magic: in this way our ancestors called for help from the ancestor, the genius of the family.

Tearing the shirt on the chest

It was probably originally an impromptu oath. There is a hypothesis that with such an expressive gesture our ancestors showed their belonging to the Orthodox faith, showing a cross. In addition, it is known that during executions and some corporal punishments, the executors tore the top of the shirt of the punished person. So, the voluntary tearing of clothes as a persuasive argument was intended to show a person’s readiness to climb to the chopping block for the truth.

Beat yourself in the chest

This gesture, according to one version, came from the military tradition of nomads and was brought to Rus' by the Tatar-Mongols. This is how the “steppe people” swore an oath to their overlord. Punching the chest as a gesture was meant to show the person's devotion.

Goat

As a rule, this gesture is mistakenly associated with criminal “fingering” or fans of “metal”. In fact, the “goat” is already several thousand years old, and it was associated with protection from black magic, from evil spirits. Probably, the older generation still remembers the nursery rhyme “The horned goat is coming for the little guys...”, when an adult is shown how a goat butts, depicting goat horns using the little finger and index finger right hand. In fact, this is not just a game with a child - this is how our ancestors removed the evil eye from children. In addition, ancient Greek speakers accompanied their speeches with a “goat” - this configuration meant “instruction.” This gesture was adopted from ancient rhetoricians by Christian priests, who often accompanied their sermons with a “goat.” It is curious that on some Orthodox icons you can see the Savior and the saints with their little finger extended forward and index finger.

Bend your fingers when counting

Unlike the French, who straighten their fingers when counting, starting with the thumb, Russians bend them, starting with the little finger. This must somehow help us concentrate, take control of the situation, and pull ourselves together.

Wave your hand

A gesture similar to throwing a hat to the ground. In its meaning, it is also similar to this emotional manifestation of the Russian fatalistic principle, but if after throwing the hat on the ground, as a rule, decisive and often reckless actions follow, then after waving one’s hand, the Russian person begins to experience humility and acceptance.

Finger to temple

A finger to the temple is an international gesture. Among the Germans and Austrians it means “crazy!”, and in a number of African cultures it means that a person is deep in thought. In France, a finger to the temple means that a person is a fool, and in Holland, on the contrary, that he is smart. In Russia they twist it at the temple when they want to show that the interlocutor is “a little bit of that”, that he has “balls for rollers.”

Russian bow

In Rus' it was customary to bow when meeting. But the bows were also different. The Slavs greeted a person respected in the community with a low bow to the ground, sometimes even touching or kissing it. This bow was called the “great custom.”

Acquaintances and friends were greeted with a “small custom” - a bow from the waist, and strangers with almost no custom: putting a hand to the heart and then lowering it down. It is interesting that the gesture “from the heart to the earth” is originally Slavic, but “from the heart to the sun” is not.

Any bow metaphorically (and physically too) means humility before your interlocutor. There is also a moment of defenselessness in it, because a person bows his head and does not see the person in front of him, exposing him to the most defenseless place of his body - his neck.

Hand on heart

Putting a hand to the heart used to often accompany any bow - it expressed cordiality and purity of intentions. Today, bowing has become a thing of the past from everyday etiquette, but people still put their hand to their heart. The meaning of this gesture remains the same.

A little

This gesture is an antonym to the favorite gesture of fishermen, showing what kind of fish they caught today. It is used when you need to show that you no longer need to pour a lot, and also when you are asked what salary increase you have had over the past six months.

Ax-head

A similar gesture to the “fed up” gesture, but unlike it, it is, as a rule, not very peaceful in nature. When performing the “sekri-bashka” gesture (which came into Russian culture from the Caucasus), you need to run your thumb along the neck, imitating the movement of a dagger. As a rule, this gesture signifies an ultimatum request.

Hands on hips

This gesture, which is especially loved by women in Russian villages, shows a person’s confidence in a given situation, his readiness to take decisive action (stop a horse, enter a burning hut). When a person puts his hands on his hips, he expands the boundaries of his body, showing his dominance.

Hands cross on chest

The tradition of crossing arms over the chest originated in Russia from the Old Believers. During services in the Old Believer church, it is customary to fold your arms with a cross on your chest. Psychologically, this gesture is protective.

Show your nose

The gesture of the thumb at the nose - “show nose” - is one of the most widely known, but relatively not often used. He is known not only in Russia. In Italy it is called “palm tree on the nose”, in France - “fool’s nose”, in the UK there are several at once - the five-finger greeting, the Shanghai gesture, the Queen Anne fan, the Japanese fan, the Spanish fan, coffee grinding. Associations of this sign with coffee grinding arose, in particular, from Charles Dickens. There is an assumption that the “show nose” gesture originally represented a grotesque portrait of a long-nosed man. Nowadays it is considered a teasing sign in children, and the expression “to show your nose” is synonymous with the verb “to deceive” in the sense of “to deceive”.

Turn the glass over

In Russia, the gesture in which a person turns over a glass is a limiting, stopping gesture. The glass is turned over with the meaning “that’s enough,” or “I’m done.” In England, this gesture is a call to fight, just like taking a jacket off your shoulders.

Protruding little finger

A gesture with a protruding thumb and little finger in Russia can mean a conversation on the phone (with an application to the ear), an offer to drink (with a characteristic tip-over), or an offer to smoke non-tobacco. It was also actively used during Prohibition, when this gesture was used to stop taxi drivers from whom they could purchase alcohol.

According to one version, this gesture comes all the way from the Polynesians. Allegedly, colonialists on the islands of Polynesia punished local surfers by cutting off their fingers: for the first case - the index finger, for the second - the middle one, for the third - the ring finger, leaving only the thumb and little finger - in order to be able to pick up luggage or an instrument. Therefore, those who greet in this way are hardcore surfers, waving to each other with an open palm.

It would seem that sign language is universal; it can be used anywhere to express your emotions or thoughts without words. However, experienced travelers must study before their trip which gestures are acceptable to use in a particular country, and which ones it is better to refrain from. Today we will tell you about it.

Abroad, you need to gesticulate carefully, otherwise both comic and tragic situations may arise. For example, in Middle Eastern countries you cannot give anything to a person with your left hand, it is considered unclean, and by doing this you are causing a serious insult to a local resident. In return you will at least be rude!

But let's leave the mysterious East alone. Let's move on to the British and Americans. Residents of Great Britain are very restrained in gestures; they prefer not to use them at all, considering active body movements to be theatrical and pretentious. Isn’t that why they are considered so prim?! Americans are more open, active and gesticulate just as much as you and I. What gestures in Great Britain and America differ from those accepted here?

Features of nonverbal communication between Americans and British

Distance between interlocutors. Paradoxically, the British welcome the average distance between speakers - 50-60 cm, while progressive Americans prefer to approach no closer than 90 cm. According to one version, the distance between interlocutors depends on... the size of the country. Residents of island states are located in a small area, and therefore allow a small distance between interlocutors.

If you stayed in the same room with an unknown American, he will definitely talk to you. You should not refuse to talk, otherwise you will offend him. Among the British, on the contrary, it is considered quite normal not to communicate with the person who is in the same room with you. This gives rise to the following difference.

If a resident of America wants to be alone, he lock himself in a separate room. An Englishman will consider this behavior strange, because in order to be alone, he just needs to not talk to anyone.

Raising eyebrows. The Germans love this gesture very much; they express admiration for someone’s words. Residents of Great Britain are hostile to such a movement: for them it is an expression of skepticism towards any idea.

When we want to let our interlocutor know that we are listening to him, we nod our heads. The English instead just blink, while they won't look you straight in the eye.

We think it’s a familiar fact: foreigners smile much more often than our compatriots. Moreover, this is a feature of their culture, and not ostentatious politeness.

Winston Churchill loved to show the V sign. Whether he accidentally changed the position of his hand, or did it deliberately, history is silent... Everyone knows gesture with the middle and index fingers raised up and slightly apart. Many people know that it means the letter V - victory (victory). But keep in mind a small nuance: if you show it with your palm facing away from you, it really means victory, approval in the style of “we will win, everything is fine.” If you turn your palm towards yourself, you have caused a terrible insult to your interlocutor. It is believed that the gesture appeared during the Battle of Agincourt. The English archers thus showed that they had kept intact the fingers necessary for archery (if the French had captured them, they would have immediately cut off these fingers). However, there is also a diametrically opposite opinion: a sign with the palm towards oneself is a victory, and a sign with the palm away from oneself is an insult. Perhaps the fact is that Winston Churchill actively used this gesture, but did not monitor the position of his palm. This is where two different opinions arose.

Thumb up. One of the most popular gestures. It seems to mean the same thing in all countries. No, it all depends on how exactly you perform this gesture. If an American SHARPLY throws his finger up, it means an obscene expression. In Greece, by the way, such a movement in all cases expresses the wish to “shut up” in a very rude form. Therefore, we recommend using this sign with great caution.

When a UK resident meets you for the first time or, conversely, says goodbye to you, he will definitely will shake your hand. At all other meetings, the British do without handshakes, kisses and hugs; they consider this unnecessary. Americans, on the other hand, will shake your hand every time you appear; they may give you a friendly pat on the shoulder or a hug, depending on the situation.

If you tap your index finger on your nose, the British will regard this gesture as a call to keep something secret, conspiracy. Italians warn of danger in this way, and cheerful Dutch report that someone is drunk.

If middle and index fingers folded together and raised up, the American shows you that you and him are a great team, Good friends, “don’t spill the water.” If a British resident makes such a gesture, he is telling us: “Well, wait, I’ll get to you.”

If we twist your finger at your temple, then we want to show that the person is saying some kind of nonsense, stupidity. The British hint with this gesture: “Think for yourself, don’t listen to other people’s opinions.” And the people of Holland use this gesture to show that someone is brilliant with wit.

Some people confuse the rocker's "goat" with the "I love you" gesture. To say "I love you" to an American, you need to clench your hand into a fist, and then stick out your little finger, thumb and index finger. In the classic goat, the thumb presses the middle and ring fingers into the palm.

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness. If we count something, we bend our fingers towards our fist. Such a gesture will seem funny to the people of America, because they count by bending your fingers away from your fist.

We have listed the most common differences in the gestures of the British, Americans and our compatriots. Otherwise the language nonverbal communication similar to ours. It’s okay if you forget about the meaning of this or that gesture and find yourself in an awkward situation, here the most pleasant and unambiguous sign will help you out - a sincere smile.

Offensive gestures in different countries

Gesticulation is an essential part of communication, but the peculiarity is that in different countries the same gestures can mean completely different things. Therefore, you can easily offend a person without even knowing it.

So, 8 common gestures that can be misunderstood in various countries peace.
1. Scratch your chin.

Scratching your chin from bottom to top with your fingers together is a rather rude gesture in France, Belgium and northern Italy. It's like showing the middle finger. Focusing on the beard area in these countries is considered a sign of excessive aggression.

2. Thumb up

In the Middle East, this is the way they send people to where their legs grow. Children often indulge in this gesture, for whom raising their thumb up is like sticking out their tongue.

3. Show “pis” (peace) or “victory” (victory)

Two fingers raised in the shape of a V in England and Australia are perceived in only one form as a peace-loving sign - if the palm is turned away from you. Otherwise, “piss” is an insult equivalent in strength to a raised middle finger. Churchill himself was guilty of this “wrong” gesture.

4. “Everything is ok” sign

Show the “everything is okay” gesture when the tips of the large and index finger closed, and the remaining fingers raised up - does not mean everything is in order everywhere. So, in Turkey and Venezuela this is how homosexuals are identified, in France it means “not worth attention” or “total zero”, and in Brazil it’s like scratching your chin in northern Italy.

5. High five with fingers outstretched

In Greece, such a gesture with the palm facing away from you is considered offensive. It comes from the times when criminals were led through the streets, and onlookers threw all sorts of nasty things at them with outstretched fingers.

6. Show the “goat”

This gesture, shown with someone's back in Spain or Italy, means that the spouse is cuckolding him/her, and the person himself is a complete loser. “Goat” in these countries has nothing in common with rock music.

7. Pass things with one hand

In China and Japan, you need to pass objects with both hands, be it a business card, a camera or something else. This is a sign of respect, openness and consideration.

8. Cross your fingers for luck

Indeed, crossed index and middle fingers in Europe are a symbol of wishing good luck. But not in Vietnam, where this gesture means female genitalia.

Tactile contact is one of the means of communication

In different countries it is interesting for many. It was most actively mastered by the French and Italians, who accompany almost every word with facial expressions, waves of their hands, and finger movements. The most common form of communication is tactile contact (that is, touching), which is simply unacceptable in some cultures. Thus, in England, touching is not accepted in principle, and interlocutors try to maintain an “arm’s length” distance between themselves. Only in Cambridge is it permissible to shake hands: at the beginning and at the end of the study period. For a German, the distance customary in England is too small, so a German resident will move another half step away from his interlocutor. Residents Saudi Arabia communicate, practically breathing in each other's faces, and in Latin America any speech is reinforced with a tangential movement.

Nod of the head: polarity of meanings of this gesture

The meaning of gestures differs radically in different countries. Those that have a familiar meaning for us are interpreted completely differently on the other side of the planet. For example, in Russia and European countries, an affirmative nod of the head with the meaning “yes” in India, Greece, Bulgaria means denial, and vice versa: turning the head from side to side in these countries is an affirmation. By the way, in Japan “no” is expressed by shaking the palms from side to side, Neapolitans express disagreement by lifting their heads up and sticking out their lips disapprovingly, and in Malta it looks like touching the chin with the fingertips with the hand turned forward.

Sign language in different countries interprets a shrug, oddly enough, almost everywhere in the same way: uncertainty and misunderstanding.

By twirling their index finger at their temple, Russians and French express the stupidity of their interlocutor or confirm the nonsense and nonsense uttered by his lips. In Spain, the same gesture will indicate distrust of the speaker, and in Holland, on the contrary, his wit. An Englishman will interpret movements at the temple as “live with your mind”; in Italy this will indicate a friendly disposition towards the interlocutor.

Thumb movements

In America, raised up, it is used when trying to catch a passing car. Its second meaning, known to everyone, is “everything is fine”, “super!”, “great!”. In Greece, this gesture strongly rudely recommends silence. Therefore, an American trying to catch a passing car on a Greek road will look rather ridiculous. In Saudi Arabia, this gesture, accompanied by a rotating movement of the thumb, has a more offensive interpretation and means “get out of here.” An Englishman and an Australian will perceive this sign as a sexual insult; Arabs associate it with a phallic symbol. Thumb hands in conjunction with other gestures denote power and superiority. It is also used in situations when a certain authority is trying to show his own advantage over others, whom he is simply ready to crush with his finger. Thus, gestures in different countries of the world carry completely different meanings and can inadvertently offend the interlocutor.

The Italians interpret this finger interestingly: it is a starting point. For Russians and Englishmen it will be the fifth, and counting begins with the index finger.

The multifaceted meaning of the universally understandable “okay”

A world-famous sign formed by the index and thumb in the form of the number zero, has been around for over 2,500 years. The “okay” gesture in different countries differs in its semantic decoding and has many meanings:

“everything is fine”, “okay” - In the USA and a number of other countries;
“dummy”, “zero” - in Germany and France;
"money" - in Japan;
“go to hell” - in Syria;
“I will kill you” - in Tunisia;
fifth point - 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. It also awarded an eloquent speaker for an apt statement or a subtle aphorism. Then this gesture was forgotten and acquired a new birth in the 19th century in America, denoting the modern “everything is fine.” The difference in gestures in different countries was the reason for the precedent that occurred in Germany, when one driver showed the “okay” sign from the window of his car to a policeman he was passing by. The latter was offended and filed a lawsuit against the offender. The judge, after studying various literature, acquitted the driver. The motivation was the double meaning of this sign, acceptable in Germany. And everyone is free to interpret the sign shown in their own way, since the meaning of gestures is unique in different countries. We must always remember this.

V is for Victory

Different gestures in different countries highlight the world famous V-shaped sign, which gained popularity during the Second World War with a touch of Winston Churchill. On an outstretched hand, with the back of the hand turned towards the speaker, it means “victory.” If the hand is positioned differently, the gesture is offensive and means “shut up.”

A little about indecent gestures

The designation of gestures in different countries sometimes has such opposite meanings that one can only be amazed at the imagination of the residents. The fig, familiar to everyone since childhood, was successfully used in ancient times. Japanese women, expressing their consent to serve a client, used this particular gesture. For the Slavs, it acted as a talisman against evil spirits, damage and the evil eye. Modern ethnoscience perceives a combination of three fingers the same way as in the old days, and even treats stye on the eye with it. Although the general understanding of this gesture is offensive.

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

The most obscene and recognizable gesture, which has existed since ancient times, is the raised middle finger, which corresponds to a very indecent curse. This is the male genital organ, and the pressed adjacent fingers are the scrotum.

The crossed index and middle fingers represent the female genital organs, and in the West they are used as protection against the evil eye.

Interesting gestures in different countries of the world, inviting the interlocutor to drink. In Russia, this is the well-known snap of fingers on the throat, and for this, a Frenchman must scratch there with his thumb and forefinger.

A truly French gesture

The same Frenchman (Mexican, Italian, Spaniard), if he wants to indicate a certain sophistication and sophistication, brings the joined tips of three fingers to his lips and, raising his chin high, sends air kiss. This is his way of expressing admiration. Moreover, this sign is as familiar to residents of these countries as a nod of the head is to the Slavs.

Rubbing the base of the nose with the index finger indicates doubtfulness and a suspicious attitude towards the interlocutor. In Holland, this gesture will indicate a person’s intoxication; in England, it will indicate secrecy and conspiracy. In Spain, touching your earlobe with a finger is considered offensive; it means “there is a gay among us.” In Lebanon, this phrase is interpreted as simply scratching the eyebrows.

As a sign of enthusiasm for someone's idea, a German will raise his eyebrows in admiration. The Englishman will perceive this gesture as a skeptical attitude towards his words. But by knocking himself on the forehead, he will show satisfaction with himself, with his own intelligence. The representative of Holland has the same gesture, only with the index finger extended upward, indicating satisfaction with the interlocutor’s mind. If the index finger is pointed to the side, then the dialogue partner is, to put it mildly, a blockhead.

Different countries have amazing interpretations. Thus, in Russia, two index fingers extended and rubbing against each other signify “a couple getting along well,” while in Japan the same gesture expresses the intractability of the problem being discussed with the interlocutor.

Warning signs

Different gestures in different countries are quite extravagant. For example, if a passer-by in Tibet sticks out his tongue, you should not take this situation seriously. negative side. It just means, “I'm not plotting anything against you. Stay calm".

"Caution" sign in Italy and Spain it is expressed by pulling back the lower eyelid with the index finger of the left hand. If a resident of England decides to teach someone a lesson, he will raise two fingers joined together, which will mean this intention. In America, this gesture will be perceived differently - as the coherence of the actions of two people, their unity.

A boat-shaped palm in Italy symbolizes a question and a call for explanation, in Mexico it is an offer to pay for valuable information.

The combination of the index finger and little finger, forming “horns”, will be perceived by the French as a statement of the infidelity of his half, and for the Italians this gesture is considered a talisman against the evil eye, in Colombia - a wish of good luck. The goat sign is an international symbol of metalheads.

A zigzag movement of the index finger in India will expose a person to a lie he is telling.

The attitude of different cultures towards the placement of hands is interesting. Thus, in the Middle East, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Africa and Indonesia left hand It is considered dirty, so under no circumstances should you use it to hand someone money, food, gifts, or eat food. You need to be careful with your hands in your trouser pockets. In Argentina this is considered indecent. In Japan, you cannot tighten your belt in public, as this may be perceived as the beginning of hara-kiri.

Welcome ethics

Greeting gestures are also unique in different countries. The first thing you do when meeting is to say your last name. In Japan, the name is not used even in informal meetings. A ceremonial bow with folded palms on the chest is required. The deeper it is, the more respect is expressed to the guest. In Spain, greetings, in addition to the usual handshake, are often accompanied by wild expressions of joy and hugs.

In Lapland, people rub noses when greeting each other.

Saying goodbye also differs from culture to culture. Italians, giving a hand, will gladly slap a person on the back, thereby showing their affection for him; in France, this gesture means “get out and never come here again.”

Gestures when saying goodbye

In Latin America, people say goodbye by waving their palms invitingly, which in Russia is perceived as an invitation to come over. When parting, Europeans raise their palms up and move their fingers. When saying goodbye, residents take the hand of the person leaving in their hands, bring it to their lips and blow lightly on it.

Now regarding gifts. In China, it is customary to accept them with both hands, otherwise it will be regarded as disrespect. It is advisable to unwrap the gift in front of the person giving it and be sure to bow, thus expressing gratitude. You cannot give a watch that symbolizes death, and the packaging in which the gift is wrapped should not be white. In Japan, on the contrary, it is customary to unwrap gifts at home, so as not to embarrass the person due to the possible modesty of the offering.

A smile is the most “convertible” gesture

Nonverbal communication (body language) consists of the wordless exchange of information using facial expressions or gestures and allows a person to express his thoughts as effectively as possible. in different countries they are characterized by different semantic loads. The only universal tool that allows you to win over your interlocutor is a smile: sincere and open. Therefore, using different gestures in different countries, it is always worth “taking” this magical remedy with you on the road.

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