Sunday, April 5, 2009

So, what do those hand gestures really mean? Be assured that somewhere in the world, all hand gestures can and do mean different things and many are considered to be rude, evil or sexual in nature. The chances of you insulting someone with a commonly seen hand gesture us a given.

The current and popular signal/hand gesture seems to be the Horned Owl or the Manto Cornuto.

In 2004 Jenna Bush, the daughter of President George W. Bush gave the horns signal at the 2004 presidential inauguration. It shocked the world.

President George Bush, Laura Bush and Barbara Bush, the President's Mother have been photographed giving the signal.

President Bill Clinton also gave the signal at his first inaugural.

Michelle Obama gave the "El Diablo" hand signal on the recent cover of Vogue magazine and this hand signal was given by president Obama at his inauguration ball.

The "El Diablo" hand signal is often confused with the deaf signal of the phrase "I love you." Helen Keller invented/created this hand system for the deaf.

Just a slight difference between the gestures and a huge difference in meaning if the signal is given with the right hand or the left hand and the placement of the thumb.

Think back to Winston Churchill and his famous V for victory signal, the okay hand signal and the thumb/hand movement are all rude and/or sexual gestures in some countries.

Men, if you cross your leg and the sole of your shoe is seen, you have just insulted your host in Asian and in the Middle East. Remember when a journalist threw his shoe at President Bush. Think what that gesture meant.

In Asia if you eat all of your food or drink your entire glass of saki, you have silently told your host that you have not had enough to eat or drink.

Think how many times as a child growing up in North American you have been told clean up your plate, eat all of your food.

Consider using an open-handed gesture, palm up instead of pointing at someone.

Be aware of how close you are standing to someone. Closer than 18 inches and you are standing in someone's intimate space.

Two universally accepted gestures are the positive nodding of the head and a smile. A real smile starts in the heart, then shows around the mouth

and then around the eyes. What you thought were wrinkles around the eyes, are really your positive attitude indicators.

Be assured someone, somewhere in the world will be insulted or offended by any and all gestures you make. Why take that chance?