Hand gestures.
By Lore2009
@Lore2009 (7378)
United States
March 7, 2011 7:28pm CST
Making a circle with our thumb and forefinger can mean "OK" in the US but in many other countries it can mean something else. In Japan, it means money, zero in France, and in Brazil, it is obscenity. There are also many other gestures to show admiration for an attractive women according to different cultures. I read that in Brazil, the middle finger actually means "Good luck!" What are some other hand gestures you know of that are unique to your culture? Do you use a lot of hand gestures?
6 responses
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
8 Mar 11
Hi Lore 
For me, I do not use much of these hand gestures in public but at home or with friends, I do appreciate the good work by using the thumb up. Many in India follow the customary "Namaskar" folded hands in front of the chest to greet elders. We are a big nation and there are many gestures spread all across... but today, it is unfortunate that people are missing out on these traditional things and we are getting more into "Hi" kind of - just raise the hand with an open palm to greet almost all
For me, I do not use much of these hand gestures in public but at home or with friends, I do appreciate the good work by using the thumb up. Many in India follow the customary "Namaskar" folded hands in front of the chest to greet elders. We are a big nation and there are many gestures spread all across... but today, it is unfortunate that people are missing out on these traditional things and we are getting more into "Hi" kind of - just raise the hand with an open palm to greet almost all
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
8 Mar 11
Not sure if it is written in stone but in my culture we tend to place on hand on our hearts which to many of us know that we speak from our hearts.
@skydancer (2101)
• United States
30 Mar 11
The "OK" gesture is considered rude in Germany as well, and I have also read the middle finger could get you fined up to 1000 euro if a policeman sees you (my ancestral background is German, so I read about the culture a great deal).
I don't really know of many hand gestures unique to American culture, and while I do move my hands around a lot when I talk, I wouldn't say my motions manifest themselves into any specific gesture(s). I may give a thumbs up occasionally if the situation seems appropriate, but that is about it.
@celticeagle (189792)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Mar 11
I usually use more face and eye gestures than the hand ones. The rock gesture of the small and index finger comes to mind. And the thumbs up one! The Brazil middle finger thing sounds interesting. A guy coming from Brazil to the US could get himself into alot of trouble using that one. Poor guy!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
8 Mar 11
I talk some with my hands..lol.
I have wanted to give a couple of hand gestures to some really crazy drivers...but I refrain..it's not ladylike
I suppose the most common is the thumbs up if I am appreciating work from afar or if someone is coming to help me..I give a thumbs up to let them know I am good.
If I am talking about something serious and am referring to myself..I put my han on my chest.
I can't think of anymore right off but if I do, I'll be sure to add.
I suppose the most common is the thumbs up if I am appreciating work from afar or if someone is coming to help me..I give a thumbs up to let them know I am good.
If I am talking about something serious and am referring to myself..I put my han on my chest.
I can't think of anymore right off but if I do, I'll be sure to add. @figurativeme (1089)
• Philippines
31 Mar 11
I don't do much hand gesture. But I read once where clapping generally means a show of appreciation, in one tribe here in our country, clapping of hands means displeasure.
But I do love to watch people do hand gestures or body language in general and try to see the state that person is in. I find it interesting and absorbing.
