Each culture is used to certain gestures and movements to communicate, but not in all cultures these, have the same meaning, sometimes what for us can be perfectly understandable in other countries is misinterpreted or vice versa. Our body language helps us communicate more easily without using words. These are some gestures that are used in various countries of the world, but they have totally different meanings in each of them. If you are planning a trip, this can help you understand other cultures better.
Pointing something
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The gesture of pointing with the index finger is believed and seen as very impolite gesture. However, it is one of the first gestures we learn in life and use the most. Usually, it works to point objects or indicate a location in the western countries.
Pointing in the Middle East
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Extending a finger and pointing with it, is considered impolite by many cultures, but especially in the Middle East, as it is seen as a great lack of respect to any person who is designated. For this reason they usually keep their hands behind them.
Crossing fingers
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Crossing fingers has become a very popular gesture, especially among young people and children. This simple gesture can have different meanings depending on the context, although the main and most popular around the planet is to wish luck.
Crossing your fingers in Vietnam
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Crossing fingers in Vietnam has a totally different meaning to the previous one. It is a sign that is considered rough because it refers to a part of the female body. So you know, don’t try to ask for good luck in Vietnam.
O.K.
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In this gesture the tips of the index finger and the thumb are touching each other and the remaining three fingers stay vertical. This sign means "good or excellent" in the United States and Latin American countries.
The variation of meaning in other countries
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In Germany it can be a way of telling someone that he has lost his mind, in Greece it is used to refer to a body part and considered obscene and in France it is used to indicate a zero or valueless amount.
The letter V with your fingers
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Sign V is a gesture in which the index and middle fingers are lifted apart, while the other fingers remain closed. It has several meanings, depending on the cultural context in which it occurs. Fundamentally it is used as: the letter "V" of "victory".
It cannot be used in any country
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In Canada, New Zealand, Australia or Ireland, it can not be used as they consider it rude. They use it as a symbol of challenging authority.
Thumbs up
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In many Latin American countries they use it to say that everything is good or excellent. This one is one of the signs we learn since we were little children. Using it, you don’t need even a word to be understood.
Variations of meaning
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In the Middle East this sign is an insult. They are very reserved and any gesture can be taken as disrespectful. People are not used to communicating with so many signs.
Call someone with your finger
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Extending a finger and then moving it towards oneself in the United States is an invitation to approach that person.
Other meanings
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But not in all cultures is considered or seen in the same way. This includes the Middle East, Portugal, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines where it is only used to call dogs and people who practice prostitution.
Call with the full hand
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This gesture is used usually and only between people who know each other to call the other one or telling somebody to approach them.
Other meaning
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Depending on the area you are in, especially neighborhoods, if used with strangers is a sign of challenge and invitation to fight, so it is preferable that you do not make use of it. In the Philippines they use it only to call dogs, if you call somebody using this gesture, he or she would feel very offended.
Rock sign
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Extending the little finger and thumb while bending the rest can mean different things. This is a common sign for rock lovers and is considered a gesture of joy and enjoyment for music. In Hawaii it symbolizes a welcome.
Other meanings
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In some parts of Africa it is considered a curse, while for Spaniards and Italians it is a sign of being cheated.
Handshake
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Most countries in the world consider this gesture as a symbol of cordiality no mattering if it is between men or women. It is a body movement used to greet or reach an agreement with someone else.
Other meaning
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However in Saudi Arabia, if a woman shakes a man's hand it means that she agrees to have sex with him. Therefore in this country this gesture is not well seen and you should be careful if you are visiting for the first time.
Slap on the shoulder
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This gesture varies a lot and depending on how it is done, can change its meaning. It is usually used to encourage or transmit confidence to people close to you.
Other meaning
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The meaning changes depending on the strength or speed with which it takes place and if it happens between strangers, which can become an aggressive gesture in any cultural context.
