Italians’ hands don’t like to keep still. Italians and gestures go together like mozzarella and pizza and you should too.įor example, did you know that Italians use about 250 hand gestures on a daily basis? And no, that’s not a typo. That’s why anyone who wishes to speak Italian like un italiano vero needs to go beyond the famous ‘finger purse’ sign. You don’t really speak Italian if you don’t use your hands too. In Indonesia, the “got your nose” hand sign can be interpreted as asking someone for sex.The Italian hand gestures are considered the essence of the Italian language. It is equivalent to giving someone the finger. In Nicaragua, this gesture is also considered very rude. The meaning of this hand gesture is said to date back to Ancient Rome and still today, in Italian, the term “fica”, which translates to fig, is a slang word for female genitalia. Known as “the fig”, this hand gesture has vulgar sexual connotations because it looks a little like a clitoris or like sexual intercourse. In Turkey and Slavic countries, however, this gesture is aggressively rude the hand sign equivalent of “screw you” or “get F*cked”. It also means the letter “T” in American Sign Language. “Got your nose!” in Turkey and Slavic countriesĪ fist with the thumb tucked under the index finger doesn’t have a set North American meaning, except when playing “got your nose” with a child. In Russia, this hand gesture can be interpreted as propositioning someone for sex. In Brazil, the A-OK sign does not only stand for the equivalent of the middle finger, it also suggests the insult “A-hole” and can be a strong sexual insult. The crossed fingers are said to resemble female genitals.
In Vietnam, however, this is an obscene gesture, especially when done while looking at or addressing another person. A hand with the index and middle fingers crossed is even the logo for the UK’s National Lottery. Many western cultures make this gesture when wishing for good luck. Photo: r-chat/Shutterstock The meaning of crossed fingers in Vietnam In the Islamic countries, a thumbs-up gesture means “up yours”, the equivalent to the North American middle finger. People will likely be more bemused than hurt if you slip up. It’s typically a child’s gesture, the Thai equivalent of sticking out your tongue.
Try to avoid it in Thailand, though, where it’s a sign of condemnation. This hand gesture of agreement or approval is an easy reflex when language barriers are at play. Thumbs-up in Thailand and in Islamic countries We use this hand gesture in North America to say “stop,” or, if you’re childish and petulant “talk to the hand.” In Greece, however, holding your palms out towards a person is a highly insulting gesture known as “the Moutza.” This hand gesture is said to be a remnant of Byzantine times, when people could taunt shackled criminals by smearing their faces with excrement. Backwards peace signs are to be avoided in polite interactions. While making a V with you index and middle finger is a sign of victory, if turned backwards, it is the nonverbal equivalent of “up yours” in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. Photo: Cubankite/Shutterstock Backwards peace sign in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia
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