What does the gesture "OK" mean?

America: North Americans often show off this gesture enthusiastically: the thumb and forefinger form a ring and the other three fingers are straight.

Other regions: But notice that in France this gesture means "zero" or "worthless". In Japan, it means "money", as if it were forming a coin. In Brazil, the Soviet Union and Germany, this symbolizes a very hidden hole in the human body. Therefore, in those countries, never make this American-style "ok" gesture.

Other gestures:

The meanings of common gestures in different countries and regions

1, the thumb and forefinger form a circle, and the other three fingers are straight or slightly bent (OK gesture): China and many parts of the world: zero or three, the United States and Britain: OK, indicating agreement or greatness, France: zero or no Thailand: no problem, go ahead, Japan, Myanmar, South Korea: Qian India: right and good, Tunisia: idiot.

2. The index finger and middle finger are stretched into a V shape, and the thumb is bent and pressed on the ring finger and the little finger: in most parts of the world, reaching out to display the number indicates two, which is said to have been invented by British Prime Minister Churchill during World War II. However, when expressing victory, the palms must be outward. If the palm of your hand is inward, it means demeaning and insulting. In Greece, it is disrespectful to make this gesture, even if the palm is outward, such as the arm is straight.

3. Make a fist with your left hand or right hand and straighten your index finger: Most countries in the world: No.1 France: Ask questions Singapore: The most important thing is Australia: Another beer, please.

4. Thumb up: China: OK, it's great. It means appreciation and praise. Italy: Greece ranked first: thumbs up means "enough", while thumbs down means "disgust" and "bad guys". America, Britain, Australia and other countries: good, good, good.

The meaning of American gestures

You plan to travel abroad or prepare to receive a foreign friend. When it comes to conveying information through gestures or body language, how do you distinguish rude gestures from decent gestures? Or how to distinguish between vulgar gestures and rude gestures?

Here are 20 gestures and body language commonly used by Americans. My best advice to you is to be keen and sensitive to what is happening around you to avoid misunderstanding. Dare to ask questions.

1, shake hands

America: North Americans shake hands and greet each other when they meet. They learned to shake hands tightly and forcefully from an early age.

Other regions: Although shaking hands is almost a way for the whole world to welcome each other, Japanese people still like to bow to each other (but they will soon meet the custom of westerners and shake hands). Southeast Asians pray for cooperation and put their palms on their chests. Middle easterners and many orientals often shake hands gently, because in their culture, a firm handshake means provocation.

Step 2 make eye contact

America: When greeting others or talking to others, children in North America already know to look into each other's eyes. If you don't look at each other, you are usually considered shy or lacking in enthusiasm, or-worse-cowardly.

Other regions: On the contrary, parents in Japan and South Korea teach their children to look away from each other and avoid eye contact. They think that direct eye contact is a threat to each other, and it may also imply sexual desire.

wave one's hand

America: North Americans raise their arms, open their hands and swing back and forth, whether they are greeting or saying goodbye, or just trying to attract the attention of people far away from them.

Other regions: In most parts of Europe, this gesture means "No!" . When greeting or saying goodbye, Europeans are used to raising their arms and waving their hands up and down on their wrists, just like basketball players dribbling. Italians may use completely different gestures: they raise their hands and only wave their fingers inward.

Step 4 make a phone call

America: North Americans usually wave their hands to attract others' attention, and then turn their hands around to make an inward scoop. Americans also have a summoning gesture, that is, they extend their forefinger (palm to face) and bend inward.

Other regions: These two waving gestures may be misunderstood in other regions of the world. Across Europe, the gesture of "come here" is to raise your arms, palm down, and then scratch your fingers. As for the gesture of index finger flexion and extension, in Australia and Indonesia, it is only used to summon animals, never used to summon people.

5. V-shaped gesture for victory

United States: The V-shape formed by forefinger and middle finger can be understood as a sign of "victory" or "peace" almost all over the world.

Other areas: however, note that in Britain, if the index finger and middle finger are stretched out to form a V-shape, and the palm is facing the face, it means "fuck!"

6. the "ok" gesture

America: North Americans often show off this gesture enthusiastically: the thumb and forefinger form a ring and the other three fingers are straight.

Other regions: But notice that in France this gesture means "zero" or "worthless". In Japan, it means "money", as if it were forming a coin. In Brazil, the Soviet Union and Germany, this symbolizes a very hidden hole in the human body. Therefore, in those countries, never make this American-style "ok" gesture.

7. Give a thumbs up

United States: This gesture is very common in North America and many other countries. It is often used to silently express support and approval: "Well done!" "All right" or "Great!" And a dozen other expressions.

Other areas: However, in some areas, this gesture has a completely different meaning. In Australia, if the thumb swings up and down, it is equivalent to saying, "Fuck!" North Americans use thumbs-up gestures to ask for a ride, but in Nigeria and other places, this gesture is considered very rude and must be avoided. In Japan and Germany, the thumb is also used for counting: in Japan, it means "5", but in Germany, it means "L".

8. "Hook their horns"

United States: Most Texans will regard this gesture (raising fist, straightening index finger and little finger) as the assembly number of the University of Texas, because it symbolizes the symbol and mascot of the school-the long horn of the famous Texas longhorn.

Other regions: However, in Italy, the same gesture means that someone's wife is having an affair. In Africa, this may mean praying to God to bring disaster to others. In Brazil and Venezuela, the same gesture is considered to pray for happiness to ward off evil spirits.

9, the distance between people

America: In normal social situations, when North Americans stand together, they are usually about 30 inches apart, about an arm's length away. This distance is considered as an individual's "comfort zone".

Other areas: However, the distance between orientals is generally larger. On the contrary, Latin Americans and Middle Easterners are much closer ―― sometimes standing side by side, toes pointing to toes and elbows touching. Therefore, North Americans must exercise themselves to tolerate such intimate gestures, because if they move and give in, they will send unfriendly messages.

10, touch

America: North Americans don't like contact. Good friends occasionally touch each other's forearms or elbows. Very good friends even hug each other's shoulders. But a nodding acquaintance never hugs.

Other areas: East Renye Fang people avoid this kind of physical contact like Americans, but Latin people like to hug and pat each other on the back. In the Middle East, you can even see two Arab boyfriends walking hand in hand on the road, which is just a sign of friendship.

1 1, kiss

America: North Americans usually just kiss their lovers and mothers. Sometimes close relatives kiss. But two men seldom kiss.

Other regions: Latin Americans, southern Europeans and Russians, regardless of gender, usually kiss each other on the cheek. But this is just pretending to kiss cheeks, sometimes two cheeks, or even "three kisses": kiss one cheek first, then the other, and then come back to kiss the one who kissed first. By the way, the etiquette of kissing a lady's hand is hardly seen in continental Europe now ―― only a few chivalrous people in Italy and other romantic cultural communities do so.

12, toast

America: North Americans occasionally raise glasses or clink glasses to toast each other. But at the wedding, the best man almost made a toast.

Other regions: In other regions of the world, toasting is more common, complicated and important. In order to avoid embarrassment, North Americans should first understand the local toast customs and prepare a set of short, concise and ingenious toasts to meet the needs of impromptu toasts.

13. Squeeze into the narrow passage between the two rows of seats that is already occupied.

United States: When allowed to watch sports games or in the theater, North Americans usually face forward, turn their backs on the seated audience and squeeze sideways through the narrow passage between two rows of seats.

Other areas: In the Soviet Union and some European countries, when people enter the narrow passage between two rows of seats, they face the seated audience. If you don't face the audience, it will be considered very impolite. To follow local customs, please observe how others do it.

14, "I saw a beautiful girl"

America: North Americans want to express this message by raising their eyebrows or whistling frequently.

Other areas: Italians extend their forefinger and rotate it on their cheeks to express this message. Greeks touch their chins, French kiss their fingers, and Brazilians pretend to be binoculars with their hands, pointing at beautiful targets.

15, whistle

America: North Americans whistle at beautiful women, also as a form of applause in the sports field, or in an excellent performance, clap their hands and whistle. On these occasions, whistling is a compliment.

Other areas: However, in Europe as a whole, whistling in this public place means the opposite. It means disapproval, opposition, and even ridicule.

16, nodding your head.

USA: In most parts of the world, nodding your head up and down means "yes" and shaking your head left and right means "no".

Other regions: However, in Bulgaria, their habits are just the opposite. They nodded and said "no"; When they say "yes", they shake their heads left and right.

17, "Please answer the phone"

America: In order to express this signal, North Americans first make a fist, then try to straighten their thumb and little finger to simulate a telephone receiver, and then put this gesture on their ears. But this is not a globally recognized signal.

Other areas: For example, the gesture accepted by Argentines is to extend the index finger and turn around the temples or ears-which may be the remnants of the old hand-cranked telephone. But for North Americans and Germans, it also means "ridiculous!" Signal. )

18, indicating length, etc.

America: If you ask a North American, "How long is 6 inches?" He or she will stretch out two index fingers and separate them by about 6 inches to indicate this distance.

Other areas: However, in Colombia, it is considered very impolite to use two index fingers to indicate the distance. Therefore, Colombians use another gesture to indicate distance and height. To show the distance, they will stretch out one hand and forearm and mark the required distance with the palm edge of the other hand. In order to show the height, they put out their hands, palms facing down, but this can only show the height of animals. To show the height of the human body, put the palm up and the edge of the palm down.

19, knock at the door

USA: In North American families, bathroom door is usually half-open. In this way, we can know that no one is using the bathroom.

Other areas: In European families, bathroom door is usually closed. Therefore, you must knock at the door first. There is another important supplementary explanation. In Mexico, when knocking at the door, you must not use the usual rhythm of "dong-dong-dong-dong-dong … dong-dong" (or knock at the door according to the rhythm of two old phrases "shave and haircut, 25 cents"). In Mexico, this special rhythm has a very vulgar and rude message.

20. Finally, punch your fist into the palm of your other hand.

America: You can see a North American waving his arms at will and unconsciously hitting the fist of one hand into the palm of the other.

Other areas: However, in Chile, you have to be careful. This identical gesture has only one meaning: "Fuck!"

Here are 20 suggestions to let you know what a rude gesture is and what an appropriate gesture is. With this in mind, you can change your title from "ignorant foreigner" to "learned foreigner".