V for Victory

Five North American gestures which foreigners might find confusing

By Terri Morrison
© Copyright 2004, All Rights Reserved

Sociolinguists divide cultures into high-context and low-context countries. In a high-context culture, important information is transmitted in nonverbal or indirect ways. Japan is a very high-context country, as are France and most Arab countries. On the other hand, in low-context cultures such as the U.S.A., the U.K. and Germany, you say what you mean. Virtually all the information is communicated within a direct statement.

However, even in low-context cultures, nonverbal cues can be useful. Gestures help to emphasize a point, or to communicate something that should not be articulated out loud.

Since gestures have different meanings in different parts of the world, they can also cause confusion. Here are five gestures common in the U.S.A. and the English-speaking portions of Canada which may confuse newcomers to North America.

The "come here" gesture:
With the palm up, the forefinger wiggled at the person summoned.

This gesture is rarely made to a superior, but is commonly used among peers, or in summoning service personnel (such as a waiter or porter). It is also sometimes used in sexual situations, when it is archaically referred to as a "come hither" gesture. It is confusing to some foreigners, since most of the world uses a full-hand scooping motion to summon a person.

The peace sign (also known as "V for victory"):
With the palm out, forefinger and index fingers are pointed upwards and split into the shape of a "V."

This sign achieved its greatest popularity in North America during the 1960s, when it came to signify "peace." Winston Churchill popularized it in the U.K. earlier, as the "V for victory" sign during the Second World War.

The meaning of this sign does not change in the U.S.A. if it is accidentally done backwards (with the palm in rather than out). However, it becomes an obscene gesture in the U.K. when reversed in this manner. English-speaking Canadians may also recognize this meaning.

In a contemporary business setting, it is more likely to be used for its "V for victory" meaning.

Thumbs up:
With an outstretched fist, the thumb is extended straight up.

"Thumbs up" as a positive gesture quickly gained popularity in the U.S.A., especially as a visual signal in noisy environments. Pilots unable to shout "All's well!" or "Ready!" over the noise of their engines used it frequently. With a slight backwards tilt, this gesture is used for hitchhiking. However, in most of the Middle East and parts of Africa (notably Nigeria), this symbol can be obscene. It Japan, the thumb is considered the fifth digit; a raised thumb will order five of something!

The "A-OK" sign:
With the palm out, the thumb and forefinger are curled into a circle, while the other fingers are extended upwards.

While this means "all's well" in North America, in France it signifies "zero" or "nothing," and in Denmark or Italy it can be taken as an insult. In Brazil, Guatemala and Paraguay, it is considered very obscene.

Pointing:
A single outstretched finger (usually the index finger, sometimes the thumb) to designate an object or person.

Although "it's not polite to point," children - and many adults - frequently do. Pointing at objects is not considered rude, and useful for foreign nationals who don't know the name of something. Pointing at people is not polite, perhaps because of its use in court, to point out wrongdoers. In many cultures, pointing is done with a toss of the head, a thrust of the chin, or even a pursing of the lips. In Asia, the entire open hand is used, except in Malaysia, where the thumb is preferred.

Reprinted from SwissAir Gazette