On the Other Hand ...
When words fail, we sometimes fall back on the language of gestures. After all, we all understand a smile, a frown, and a handshake, don’t we? Well, not always. The following gestures mean very different things in different cultures.
“Me” and “Passing in Front of You”
When you refer to yourself, you probably point to your nose. But this gesture will confuse Americans. They usually point to their hearts to indicate “me.”
In Japan, it is rude to pass in front of someone. A bow and shake of the hand make this more acceptable. However, in some countries this gesture may be rude. It looks like a cutting gesture: “Get out of my way! I’m coming through.”
“Thumbs Up”
In Western culture the thumbs up is a positive sign. It says, “Job well done!” However, in most of Latin America, the Middle East and West Africa, as well as Greece and the south of Italy, the thumbs up sign is an insult.
“V Sign”
In America and Japan, the “V sign” means “victory” or “peace and love.” However, in Great Britain, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand, if the back of your hand is facing out, you’re giving somebody an insult.
Winston Churchill used the wrong version of the V sign during the early years of World War Ⅱ. Later on, when his friends pointed out the difference to him, he changed.
Shaking the Head “No” and Nodding “Yes”
In America, China, Canada, Mexico, and most of Western Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, shaking your head from side to side means “no,” while nodding the head up and down means “yes.”
However, in Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, the opposite is true. Nodding may mean “no,” and shaking “yes.”
When words fail, we sometimes fall back on the language of gestures. After all, we all understand a smile, a frown, and a handshake, don’t we? Well, not always. The following gestures mean very different things in different cultures.
“Me” and “Passing in Front of You”
When you refer to yourself, you probably point to your nose. But this gesture will confuse Americans. They usually point to their hearts to indicate “me.”
In Japan, it is rude to pass in front of someone. A bow and shake of the hand make this more acceptable. However, in some countries this gesture may be rude. It looks like a cutting gesture: “Get out of my way! I’m coming through.”
“Thumbs Up”
In Western culture the thumbs up is a positive sign. It says, “Job well done!” However, in most of Latin America, the Middle East and West Africa, as well as Greece and the south of Italy, the thumbs up sign is an insult.
“V Sign”
In America and Japan, the “V sign” means “victory” or “peace and love.” However, in Great Britain, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand, if the back of your hand is facing out, you’re giving somebody an insult.
Winston Churchill used the wrong version of the V sign during the early years of World War Ⅱ. Later on, when his friends pointed out the difference to him, he changed.
Shaking the Head “No” and Nodding “Yes”
In America, China, Canada, Mexico, and most of Western Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, shaking your head from side to side means “no,” while nodding the head up and down means “yes.”
However, in Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, the opposite is true. Nodding may mean “no,” and shaking “yes.”