What a hand sign to the side. Hand gestures and their meaning: open and closed poses. Courtship and preening gestures

Dab, dabbing (dab, dabbing)- a dance movement when a person hides his face in a bent elbow and raises his other hand. Deb came from American hip-hop culture. The gesture was popularized by athletes, and in Russia it gained popularity largely thanks to video bloggers. Used to emphasize one's coolness and celebrate success.

Origin

Deb appeared in the American city of Atlanta in 2015. The hip-hop group Migos calls itself the authors of the unusual dance; thanks to their videos, they significantly popularized the dab.

At first, the dab was distributed among hip-hop fans and rap artists in the United States. Then the athletes took the initiative. The first dab after the touchdown in September 2015 was portrayed by Jeremy Hill. Then his colleague Cam Newton began to repeat the gesture regularly.

Deb was picked up by stars and ordinary social media users, making the dance a new trend. Even Hillary Clinton repeated it.

Deb in Russia

The popularity of dab in Russia began to increase in 2016. In many ways, its promotion was facilitated by a wave of enthusiasm for rap and hip-hop. The dab also spread thanks to top video bloggers. For example, this gesture was depicted by Ivangay during his tricks with a bottle.

A parody of this video was shown in 2017 by Sergei Druzhko and, together with the deb gesture, he issued the phrase, which became a new meme.

Druzhko tried to repeat his success. However, in his performance the dab looked more like a Lezginka.

Meaning

In rap culture, there are several explanations for the meaning of the dab. Some say that the dance imitates the movements of a person who sneezes and tries to cover himself with his elbow. According to others, this gesture alludes to the process of snorting cocaine.

In any case, in the end the dance took on a completely different meaning. Because athletes would dab after scoring a goal or scoring points, the dab came to signify victory and success. A person depicts this gesture when he wants to show that he is great at something, has achieved success, and was able to do something important for himself.

In the process of direct communication with each other, people use not only words, but also nonverbal signals. Hand gestures, facial expressions, body position in space - all this can tell about the interlocutor no less than he is ready to tell himself. We propose to analyze the meaning of gestures in communication between people and their interpretation from the point of view of specialists in the field of psychology.

What does a handshake tell you?

Shaking hands is a non-verbal gesture that is used as a greeting in many cultures. Often it also indicates the end of communication or the achievement of an agreement. This gesture is characteristic mostly of men, although business etiquette allows ladies to resort to it at the beginning and end of negotiations if representatives of the opposite sex are involved. In this case, the woman is always the first to extend her hand.

This gesture itself can tell a lot about the interlocutor. A strong-willed, open person greets with a strong handshake, squeezing the interlocutor’s hand quite tightly. People who are not very confident show a sluggish gesture, in which the hand is relaxed and the hand is located below. Such a handshake characterizes a person without initiative, lazy, and not inclined to make independent decisions. Touching the interlocutor's hand, accompanied by slight squeezing, can also indicate the person's delicacy and his ability to keep his distance. If you say hello briefly, the interlocutor puts his hands behind his back or puts them in his pockets, thus demonstrating superiority.

Open people extend their hand to their “vis-a-vis”, bending it at the elbow and wrist only slightly. Secretive or deceitful people, on the contrary, try to keep the limb bent. Their forearm remains pressed to the body, while the hand is directed almost vertically. If, when shaking hands, such a person tries to press the interlocutor’s hand down, this characterizes him as cruel and rather domineering. Independent individuals try to maintain maximum distance, practically without bending their hand when shaking hands.

Scratching

Any small and fussy hand gestures betray excitement, uncertainty or a desire to hide the truth. If the speaker scratches the side of his neck, this may mean that he is voicing a thought that he is not entirely sure of. Such a gesture on the part of the listener speaks of his distrust or desire to understand what was said more deeply.

By touching the earlobe, scratching and rubbing it during a conversation, a person expresses his desire to speak. He delicately waits for the right moment when he can join the conversation, but at the same time he expresses impatience in every possible way, sometimes even raising his hand, like a schoolboy in class.

Arms crossed on chest

It is generally accepted that crossed arms and legs are a kind of energetic protection that people resort to in various life situations. There are many gestures with which a person closes himself off from his interlocutor or the world around him. We propose to consider the most common of them.

The first pose is crossing your arms in front of your chest. The forearms are connected together, while the hands can clasp the shoulders or be pressed against the body. People often take this position in unfamiliar places where they do not feel completely safe.
The position in which the interlocutor crosses his arms over his chest indicates a negative attitude towards what is happening and may mean a reluctance to discuss a topic. Sometimes distrust of what a person hears causes a person to cross their arms over their chest. People who want to hide information resort to a similar gesture. The body position, when arms crossed on the chest are combined with palms clenched into fists, should be considered a state of defense, extreme tension. Reddened cheeks and constricted pupils indicate a readiness to fight back.
Public figures rarely openly display gestures that could betray their nervousness or desire to hide something. Meanwhile, they also tend to use similar energy protection. It is not difficult to distinguish camouflaged crossings. Ladies usually touch their wrist, turn the bracelet on their hand, and fiddle with the clasp on their watch. A man can adjust cufflinks or cuffs. A gesture in which a person holds an object at chest level with both hands looks similar. This could be a book or a folder with papers pressed to your chest, a bouquet of flowers, a glass of wine.

Interlocked fingers

With your fingers clasped, your hands can lie in front of you or on your knees, or fall along the body if this is a standing position. Behind such a gesture lies disappointment and hidden hostility if a person sits with his hands in front of him or bringing them closer to his face. At the same time, the higher the hands are raised, the stronger the negative feelings. Sometimes such a gesture is perceived as attention to the interlocutor, because the person sitting opposite may smile and even nod. But this is a mistaken impression; with feigned facial expressions, the interlocutor is only trying to hide a negative attitude towards what is happening.

What does the hands behind your back gesture mean?

The position of the body, when a person's arms are pulled back and closed behind the back, is associated with a demonstration of superiority. An even posture, an unfolded chest and straightened shoulders indicate that the individual is quite happy with his position and is confident in himself. Such a gesture can also be considered as a high degree of trust in the interlocutor. Most likely, the person feels quite comfortable and does not feel any threat. This gesture is characterized by placing the palms on top of each other.

If a person puts his hands behind his back, clasping his wrist or forearm with one hand, this means that he is excited and trying to control himself. Moreover, the higher the grip, the stronger the emotions the individual experiences and the more difficult it is to restrain them. Hands placed behind the back can be combined with other gestures, such as scratching the back of the head. This indicates self-doubt and a feeling of awkwardness. In this case, by hiding his hands from the interlocutor, the person is trying to hide the state of stress, concern or excitement.

Hands in pockets

Many of us, as children, have heard our parents remark: “Take your hands out of your pockets, it’s not decent.” Indeed, a person who hides his brushes deeper during a conversation can hardly be called well-mannered. But often such a gesture betrays a desire to hide something. Most likely, the interlocutor is not telling much, is outright lying, or his reaction to the conversation does not correspond to what is being demonstrated.

A similar reaction is also observed among shy people who simply do not know where to put their hands during a conversation and are afraid that unnecessary gestures will reveal their nervousness. It is not difficult to understand this, since such a person behaves constrained, speaks little and reluctantly, keeps his shoulders down and his gaze turned downward.

If, when communicating, the interlocutor squeezes clenched fists into his pockets, it means that he is overwhelmed by anger and rage. The gesture means that it is difficult for a person to control negative emotions. He has exhausted all verbal arguments and is ready to move on to physical violence. Usually the threat is reflected in facial expressions: eyes narrow, cheekbones tense, teeth clenched.

Hand gestures with thumb emphasis

If the thumbs stick out upward, such a gesture indicates a desire to dominate. With such a non-verbal signal, the man lets the lady know that he is interested in her. He demonstrates his superiority and social status by placing his palms in his trouser pockets or behind his belt. The thumbs unambiguously indicate the direction where the object of male pride and dignity is actually located. Such a gesture can be regarded as a desire to please, conquer and conquer.

Without considering the gesture in a sexual context, we can say that hands in pockets and thumbs outside are a demonstration of power and superiority. Another dominance gesture is as follows: arms crossed over the chest and thumbs pointing up. Power and a sense of superiority simply overwhelm the individual if he takes such a pose.

When a person tightly clasps his shoulders with his hands, raises his thumbs, lifts his chin and looks into the face of his interlocutor, this indicates that he is confident in his own rightness and does not want to hear objections. Interestingly, such dominance gestures involving the thumbs are used by both men and women.

Open palm demonstration

Open palms are associated with honesty of intentions. According to research, businessmen who do not use open-palm gestures are less likely to succeed. People trust less those who keep their hands clasped in front of them, believing that they are not completely honest and are trying to hide something.

A person asking for something is more likely to achieve his goal if he accompanies his words with a gesture with his palms turned up. This gesture is more inviting because it does not pose a threat. If the interlocutor sees the back of the hand, then the request will be perceived as an instruction and may cause an antagonistic attitude.

What do hands pressed to the chest mean?

When a person declares his love or expresses sympathy, he puts his hand to his chest, as if saying that his words come from the heart. Often those who want to convince their interlocutor of the absence of malicious intent resort to a similar technique. Behind this gesture lies a desire to show the sincerity of feelings, but this does not always correspond to the actual intentions of the speaker.

By putting his fingers together, with his palms apart, the speaker wants to show his confidence and awareness of the issue. Perhaps he wants to emphasize significant points in his speech or wants to convince his interlocutor that he is right. If the speaker's head is slightly tilted back, this can be interpreted as a feeling of superiority.

This gesture has two options; when your fingertips point up or down. The first is usually used by people who want to express their thoughts, and the second by those who are listening. In the latter case, the gesture is regarded as negative and means that the interlocutor has his own opinion about what was said. It is no longer possible to convince him, since, as in the first case, this position of the hands indicates confidence in his decision.

Hands spread out, palms up

A gesture when a person, when communicating, shows his palms facing the interlocutor or a group of people, he seems to be saying: “I’ll be frank with you.” This is a non-verbal signal that encourages openness. It should be noted that such a technique is often used by unscrupulous people who want to instill trust in themselves. Therefore, such nonverbal gestures must be interpreted taking into account facial expressions and behavior. If the interlocutor has nothing to hide, he behaves naturally, his face is relaxed, his eyebrows are raised, and his hands are spread wide.

Putting your hands behind your head

The habit of throwing their hands behind their heads is characteristic of self-confident people who love to show their superiority. This gesture irritates many on a subconscious level, since it immediately reveals the interlocutor as a snob. Placing your hands behind your head during a conversation is a gesture that demonstrates confidence and superiority. If at the same time a person sits in a relaxed position, crossing his legs, then this is an amateur. As a rule, such a gesture is used when communicating with subordinates or equal in status.

The origin of this position is unknown, but psychologists are sure that in this way a person seems to sink into an imaginary chair, relaxing with his whole body. This manner of sitting does not always have a negative meaning. Often a person, tired from work or sitting for a long time, puts his hands on the back of his head, stretching his whole body. With such a gesture, he demonstrates that he feels quite comfortable in your company.

Most people touch their face during a conversation. Such gestures might look like:

stroking the chin,
rubbing the bridge of the nose or eyelid,
touching the mouth with a hand or various objects,
fingers touching temples,
propping your cheek with your palm.

Most often, behind such movements lies a desire to conceal the truth or, on the contrary, distrust of the speaker. It is best to consider such gestures in combination with a person’s facial expressions, since the same touch can have different meanings.

For example:

A gesture like stroking the chin talks about making a decision. If the interlocutor uses his thumb, he is confident that he is in complete control of the situation. Nervous rubbing of the lower part of the face with the palm of the hand indicates that the person is not too happy with the proposed option, but an alternative has not yet been found.
Touching the lower lip demonstrates interest in the conversation or interlocutor. In this case, a person can run along the line of the mouth with one finger and actively rub this area. The most spontaneous listeners even pull back or curl their lower lip. Ladies, in order to attract men's attention to themselves, can run over their lips not only with their hand, but also with the tip of their tongue.
Many children use it on a subconscious level. Eg, fingers in mouth- a gesture that looks quite cute and means that the child feels the need for approval and support from others. However, adults sometimes make similar movements. In their case, such gestures carry the same semantic meaning as in children.
Some gestures that express emotions and feelings involve the use of various objects. For example, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the interlocutor brings the pen to his mouth. If the interlocutor is telling something, it may be a lie. If he listens to you, then with this gesture he expresses distrust. However, such actions may have another reason. Some people chew on a pencil or pen while thinking about a problem.
A fairly common posture during a conversation, when hand supports cheek or chin. These gestures look approximately the same, but are interpreted differently. If the interlocutor listens attentively, resting his chin on his hand, most likely it is more convenient for him to comprehend what he heard. But when the listener relaxes with his hand on his cheek and his gaze is distracted, most likely he is bored and is looking forward to the end of the conversation.
An expression of disbelief in what has been said looks like twisting the earlobe, frequently touching the eyes or corners of the lips. This is also indicated by the index finger with which the listener props his cheek. By raising the index finger to the temple, a person demonstrates a critical attitude. Perhaps he feels distrust, or is not satisfied with the arguments given, analyzes what he hears, suspecting a catch.
Gestures like rubbing the neck or ear they talk about an unwillingness to listen anymore or that the topic is not very pleasant to the interlocutor. In the latter case, the person often takes a closed posture, crossing his legs or arms. He may also clasp his hands, shutting himself out from communication, or stand up abruptly, thereby demonstrating that the conversation is completed.

What gestures indicate deception?

When a person is telling a lie, you can tell by his gestures and facial expressions. Of course, it is unlikely that anyone will become very nervous, embellishing events a little. But if we are talking about a major deception or a desire to hide a serious misconduct, then answering direct questions, a person is unlikely to be able to hide all emotions.

A liar can be betrayed by shaking hands, a desire to immediately take a sip of water, or hastily lighting a cigarette. To hide a lie, the interlocutor will look away or, on the contrary, look intently into your eyes, demonstrating that he is honest with you.

A person who is telling a lie begins to blink frequently and make unnecessary movements, such as rearranging papers. It is believed that rubbing the nose also indicates insincerity, especially if a person does this action several times in a row. If the speaker's mouth is covered with his hand, there is also a high probability that he is lying. It is worth paying attention to such a gesture as rubbing the eyelid. Often he also tells lies, although perhaps the interlocutor himself does not trust you too much. The desire to close your mouth, as well as touching your lips with your fingers, are gestures that mean deception.

Conclusion

It is worth remembering that in non-verbal communication every gesture has meaning, since it is perceived by the interlocutor, often on a subconscious level. Perhaps you just like to keep your hands in your pockets or sit comfortably with your hands clasped. However, interlocutors or business partners will draw their own conclusions from this.

Hand-face gestures

The palms of our hands are excellently suited for covering our faces. In many hand-face gestures there is a desire to hide something. If someone laughs “into the palm of their hand,” it means that they do not want their laughter to be noticed. The face is covered when there is a feeling of embarrassment, or shame, or when they want to demonstrate their reaction, or when they need to protect themselves.

The number of hand-face gestures increases noticeably when someone is lying or trying to lie. The most common movements among “liars” are the following: stroking the chin, covering the mouth, touching the nose, rubbing the cheek, touching or stroking the hair on the head, pulling the earlobe, rubbing or scratching the eyebrows, pursing the lips. Symbolically, these movements mean either self-punishment, or calming, or camouflage.

Hand - ear. Targeted gestures, performed by placing one or both hands on the ears, serve to enlarge the auricles and should help to catch more acoustic signals. The exact opposite of this is the case when someone puts his hands to his ears to hide from noise. Symbolically, covering your ears can also mean the desire to interrupt the person objecting to you, as if saying: “I don’t want to listen to what you’re saying at all.”

Hand - nose. In most cases, touching the nose is a sign of embarrassment, being caught off guard, or being afraid of being caught off guard. It is noteworthy that touching the nose and lying or attempting to lie very often occur simultaneously. Touching the nose occurs mainly in stressful situations, i.e. when thoughts do not correspond to externally maintained calm.

Hand - mouth. The hand-to-mouth gesture usually indicates a tendency towards restraint. Unconsciously they want to “hush up” something or hide this or that facial expression. Along with these closed postures, touching the lips can also be a symbol of the search for tenderness. This is especially emphasized by the fact that the knuckles or fingers themselves touch the lips.

Fingers stuck in mouth. If an adult puts a finger in his mouth or puts it to the corner of his mouth (a truncated version of this gesture), then we seem to return to early childhood. Presumably, we are dealing with the same meaning in those cases when ballpoint pens, pencils, glasses and other similar objects are taken into the mouth. If such behavior is observed quite often, this means that the final differentiation of the functions of the sense organs has not yet occurred.

This assumption should not be made only if additional symptoms of concentration are observed. This is how, for example, surprise, confusion, surprise, incompetence, naivety, and confusion are expressed. Anyone who behaves this way expects that the situation will clear up on its own.

If the extended index finger is placed on the edge of the lip, then the sense of touch and/or taste is unconsciously called upon to help. This hint makes it clear: I am looking for help, I am experiencing uncertainty and helplessness.

Hand - eyes. Raising your hands to your eyes (to your face) means expressing disgust, pain, but at the same time primitiveness. Rubbing your eyes (or ears) expresses awkwardness, annoyance, or mild timidity.

Hand - forehead. If the hand on the side touches the forehead, then in this way fencing (shielding) from unwanted stimuli should be ensured. This gesture is used to express concentration. An extended index finger touching your temple serves as a sign that “you’re crazy” or “your nuts are loose.” In the first case, the tip of the index finger lightly taps the temple, and in the second, the index finger makes circular movements. In both cases we are dealing with an offensive gesture.

Stroking your forehead with your hand means that painful thoughts or ideas are to be “banished.” This sort of rubbing motion also serves to smooth out wrinkles.

Hand-to-hand gestures

Reaching out to oneself is, in most cases, an unconscious imitation of touch from other people. If we touch our own body, it always gives us a peculiar feeling of confidence and security. In tense situations, we tend to reach out to ourselves, so to speak, by folding our hands, clasping them together, or wrapping them around each other.

“Wringing our hands” - this expression conveys a desperate attempt to find one solution or another, carried out precisely with the wringing of hands. When the hands seem to play with each other, the reason for this behavior may be nervousness, excitement, stiffness, or confusion and embarrassment.

If such gestures are used as a pose, then they are evidence of a lack of politeness. When movements are performed almost without tension, rhythmically, then in this case we can talk about superiority and just inattention.

Rubbing hands can be done from internal tension, or to relax muscles, or as a tactile function. The gesture of rubbing hands together in joy comes from “extending a hand to oneself” and “congratulating oneself.” 66 - Pease Allan. Sign language: a fascinating guide for business people. - M.: IQ, 1992. - 112 p.

Recently, the DEB movement has become very popular. This fashion was picked up by the younger generation along with our musicians, athletes and other media figures.

It's time to study this issue in more detail.

What does deb mean?

DEB (English DAB) is an element of dance in which the dancer lowers his head and at the same time straightens one arm to the side and up, and with the other he does the same, but at the elbow. Deb is not a symbol of anything and does not carry any semantic component.

The dab virus came from the southeast of America. In 2015, the epidemic broke out thanks to a group of young rappers. Thanks to social networks, the hashtags #dab and #dabbing accelerated the penetration of this movement into the masses.

The ancestors of the dab are considered to be the rap group “Migos”, which performed the song “Look at my dab” and shot a video for this song:

Immediately after America, the movement began to capture Europe, and then Russia. Already now you can watch on screens how hockey players, football players, musicians and other popular people of our country make their debuts.

How to make a dab

If you decide to keep up with fashion, then the question of how to make a deb correctly must be taken seriously. We have selected several video deb lessons for you:

Few realize the power they have in their hands. There are times when your own hands can save or literally betray, and all this happens without your conscious participation. Of course, if you don't know how hand language works.

A person who speaks the language of nonverbal communication has a lot of advantages over his counterpart, and is able to hear not only what the interlocutor is saying, but also understand what he is thinking about, or what he is not talking about. But let's talk about everything in order.

Several stories about the emergence of hand gestures

Today, many symbols shown by hands have international registration, and are equally understandable to New Zealand Maori and African Maasai. Why did this happen?

Why do soldiers put their hand to their head to greet someone, or to praise a person we raise our thumb up, and to insult someone we raise our middle finger? The answers to these questions came to us from the past. Let's look at the stories behind some of these gestures in more detail.

Thumbs up. Shows that everything is fine and you are doing well. This movement came to us from antiquity. The Roman public, during gladiator fights, in this way signaled that for the diligence and diligence shown by the defeated slave during the battle, his life could be saved. A downturned thumb did not bode well for a loser warrior. Since those times, it has been the custom: the thumb points to the sky - you are on top, to the ground - you are a bit of a loser;
The military greeting when addressing a superior or raising a flag, by raising an open palm to the head, was borrowed from medieval knights. In those ancient times, in order to show the purity of their thoughts, warriors, when meeting, raised their visor, thereby demonstrating the friendliness of their plans. Another version of the origin of this sign is associated with earlier periods of human history. In ancient times, subjects, in order to show that only the sun was higher than their ruler, when meeting the autocrat, covered their eyes with their hands, thereby demonstrating submission. Over time, the form of the gesture has changed slightly, but the content has remained unchanged. People in uniform show their respect and commitment to their superiors or state symbol by raising their hand to their head;
An outstretched hand when meeting, or a handshake. The origin of this greeting is explained quite simply. In ancient times, an outstretched hand, without a weapon, symbolized your peaceful plans and respect;
Raised middle finger. There are at least two explanations for the appearance of this obscene gesture. According to one version, the ancient Greeks showed this symbol to those with whom they would like to carry out actions, the meaning of which reflects what we mean by demonstrating this gesture today. Another option goes back to the beginning of the 15th century, when during the Franco-English Battle of Agincourt, French soldiers cut off the middle fingers of captured English archers so that they could not shoot at them in the future. Naturally, those of the English who could not be caught by the vile French showed them their middle fingers from a safe distance, thereby showing their disdain and courage. Why didn't the French just kill the prisoners? The question remains open;
The so-called goat. A symbol that distinguishes true “metalheads” from the people around them. One version says that the sign originated among the ancient Vikings, and symbolized the Scandinavian rune that protects its owner from the evil eye. According to another version, this is the “fingering” of Soviet prisoners who, in order not to go to work, simply cut their tendons, and the hand took this shape spontaneously. Today, this symbol of cool says that the person demonstrating it is a principled “legalist”, and he will not collect popcorn scattered in the cinema;
The well-known American OK. There may be differences in this gesture depending on the part of the world you are in. For some nations, it symbolizes that your affairs are in perfect order, for others it means that you are “complete zero,” and for some it demonstrates problems with the large intestine. According to one of the most plausible versions, this sign was borrowed from the non-verbal language of the Native American inhabitants - Indians, who thus showed their fellow tribesmen that there were no problems.

Some hand gestures and their meaning

Each gesture has its own interesting and multifaceted history, however, it’s time to talk about their meaning and the practical use of this knowledge in everyday life.

Open palm

In most cultures, an open hand is associated with honesty. Therefore, if you want to make people believe that you are telling the truth, it is not recommended to present your arguments with your hands clenched into fists.

At such moments, it is better to open your palms to show that you are not hiding anything.

On the other hand, be alert when someone is telling you important things with their hands in their pockets or behind their back. Hidden palms do not make sentences more believable, even if they are true. With a high degree of probability, it can be argued that your interlocutor is lying or hiding some important information from you.

Palm up and down position

The way you use your hands when communicating with others can significantly affect how they perceive your words and you. Ask a simple question with your palms up, and people will think you're asking for a favor.

On the one hand, they will not be bothered by your request, but on the other hand, they will not feel threatened or pressured by you. If you ask this question with your palms facing down, it will more likely resemble a requirement that must be fulfilled.

It can not only set the tone for any business or political meeting, but also influence its results. When two equal interlocutors shake hands, their palms remain vertical.

But if one person's palm is facing upward when shaking hands, this can be perceived as a symbolic surrender, and signify the superiority of the other person.

When talking, your interlocutor holds his hands behind his back and makes meaningless movements with them - he is not interested in you, you should stop the meaningless conversation, or move on to another topic.

What is the meaning of finger gestures

No less revelations can be gleaned from the position of the fingers on our hands. Let's give a few examples.

There is a fine line between a hand gesture and a finger gesture, but we will talk about those cases in which the movement of the fingers is an independent signal.

Some finger gestures are unintentional, and by their position you can unmistakably read what emotional state a person is in, or his attitude towards the topic of conversation.

finger on mouth - they are lying to you;
during a conversation, the index finger involuntarily points towards the other person - a clear sign of dominance;
index finger up - you should be wary of such a person, since the gesture is often used by parents in relation to a careless child;
fingers are straight and pressed tightly together - the person has made a firm decision to achieve his goal and does not care about sentiment;
fingers squeeze the wrist or palm of the other hand - the interlocutor is furious, trying to restrain his emotions;
fingers clenched into a fist from time to time - a clear sign of a hidden threat.

What about the deaf and dumb?

Many gestures unconsciously used in communication are reflected in the alphabet for the deaf and dumb.

Sign languages of the deaf are independent languages that consist of combinations of movements of the hands and fingers in combination with facial expressions, position of the mouth, lips and body.

It is a mistake to believe that sign languages for the deaf were invented by hearing people to convey information to those who cannot hear. In fact, these languages develop completely independently.

Moreover, in one country there may be several sign languages that do not grammatically coincide with the verbal languages of that country.

As practice shows, in the absence of the opportunity to use sound language as a means of communication, people instinctively begin to use gestures for this. The main means of communication for this are the hands and fingers.

At the same time, deaf people have many gestures, the meaning of which can be understood by an unprepared person. For example, the word “peace” in the language of the deaf and dumb will look like hands squeezing each other, located in front of the chest, “love” is a palm raised to the lips in the form of an air kiss, and “house” is palms folded in a triangle in the form of a gable roof.

Youth hand gestures and their meaning

Our children also use sign language for their communication, and the variety of these non-verbal signs is constantly enriched by the emergence of new ones. Let's give a few examples of such youth gestures, with the help of which teenagers can easily understand each other, while older people, and even middle-aged people, will remain in the dark.

Time and scientific and technological progress dictate their conditions, and this fully applies to our gestures.

Just recently, a hand folded in the shape of an English L did not mean anything, but today it is a loser, a sign signaling that you are a loser.

An extended middle finger pointing to the side can mean that you are being sent, but at the same time it can be interpreted as an invitation to sex.

With your fingers shaped like a heart, it’s simple: “I love you.” But a “horned goat” with its thumb pointed to the side means simple sympathy.

An English V performed by a teenager with the back of his hand turned towards you can mean two Colas, or serve as the equivalent of the middle finger in the UK. And such a familiar sign as OK, but inverted, and shown at waist level or below, is an open invitation to sex.

Thanks to the specific versatility of using hand language and a few widely spoken English words, you can communicate with a foreigner you meet by chance on a busy street. Of course, you won’t be able to conclude a contract with him for the supply of gas equipment, but you can easily explain how to get to the nearest metro station or stadium.

Differences in the interpretation of habitual gestures in different countries

Do not rush to use your extensive knowledge of sign language when you find yourself abroad. Some common symbols may have opposite meanings in different parts of the world. And again let's look at the examples.

If you are in France, then OK, which is common throughout the world, turns into a big, fat zero. And in Turkey, with such a gesture you will signal that your interlocutor is gay - not a very pleasant statement in a country where the majority of people are Muslims;
Raising your thumb and extending your index finger in the sign language of teenagers means a loser, and in China this symbol represents the number eight;
A thumbs up in Europe and America says: “Everything is cool,” and in Iran, Afghanistan and Greece this obscene gesture will be read: “I..., you..., and all your relatives...”, well, you get the idea;
The crossed index and middle fingers protect Europeans from the evil eye, and in Vietnam this figure represents the female genital organ;
A hand extended forward stops all over the world and seems to say: “Wait,” and in Greece it literally translates as “Eat shit.”

If, as the proverb states, silence is golden, then continuing the association, in some countries, the absence of gestures is a diamond.

The gestures and their interpretation that you have become familiar with are not limited to the examples given. The purpose of our article is to popularize, interest and guide. Perhaps our theses will help solve small life problems. Or maybe not small.

There is some more information about the most popular gestures in the following video.