I need help from someone who doesn't live in america

[thenoblitt]

So one of my sociology projects is that i need to ask someone from a different country about there countries gestures and then ask them what american gestures mean in their country, so to start off.

What are some kind of gestures that your country uses?

What does shaking hands and giving a thumbs up mean in your country?

Please and thank you

 

[goingloud]

Canadian: thumbs up means yes or ok and shaking hands is a greeting (sorry if this isn't helpful cause i'm still north american)

 

[exarkunsith]

Australia:

Shaking hands - greeting or goodbye or conclusion to an aggrement.
Thumbs up - Yes, good job etc.

 

[ranyilliams]

in canada we use the peace sign a lot, just when we say goodbye and stuff...we also nod awkwardly at passerby's if we think we might know them, if they nod back you continue walking and think in confusion how you knew them, then if they knew you they will contact you on Facebook, this is common in our culture.

 

[LikeDustInTheWind]

in canada we use the peace sign a lot, just when we say goodbye and stuff...we also nod awkwardly at passerby's if we think we might know them, if they nod back you continue walking and think in confusion how you knew them, then if they knew you they will contact you on Facebook, this is common in our culture.

I don't know where in Canada you are but I have never met anyone who does any of those.

 

[thenoblitt]

I thank you all if you can give me any more information i would appreciate it

 

[SwimmingRock]

Shaking hands - greeting or goodbye or conclusion to an aggrement.
Thumbs up - Yes, good job etc.

This, except in Holland. Blame it on the standardization of western cultures through mass media. Or don't. I don't honestly know. I have heard about other countries having wildly different interpretations, though. Unfortunately, I don't remember specifics.

 

[VincentX3]

From Spain

We don't really shake hands, most if not all girls and guys just peck (kiss) each other on each cheek once. It's pretty normal here.

Thumbs up is still thumbs up.

 

[VaudevillianVeteran]

England: Shaking hands = How do you do?
Thumbs up = Good job! Or:

 

[Najos]

In Korea, people shake hands with both hands. They kind of support their arm with their left hand. Actually, Koreans do just about everything with both hands as it is a sign of disrespect to do something with one hand. As in, hand someone something like money or ketchup or whatever. Generally, men won't shake hands with women either.

Thumbs up is the same.

Koreans (and a lot of Asians) fucking love peace signs. Just google search images for it.

Edit: I don't live in Korea now, but I did.

 

[RebelRising]

In Iraq, the hand help up actually means "go ahead", not "stop". This kind of causes problems at U.S. military checkpoints.

 

[xxDontknowHowtoDeleteanAccountxx]

I would think shaking hands would be pretty universal, as in a formal greeting/goodbye sort of thing. For a thumbs up? cant say I really ever see anyone use that, except when hitch-hiking. Although certainly it has its roots in positive enforcement of efforts etc, i.e. 'good job'

(UK btw)

 

[gostlyfantom]

well here in canada, a middle finger raised means either "fuck you!" or "fuck off!" but as for the other shit, its the same meanings

 

[Xpwn3ntial]

So one of my sociology projects is that i need to ask someone from a different country about there countries gestures and then ask them what american gestures mean in their country, so to start off.

What are some kind of gestures that your country uses?

What does shaking hands and giving a thumbs up mean in your country?

Please and thank you

In Italy, throwing up the rock horns means "Your wife is having an affair (presumably with me)."

Useless, but that would be interesting to bring up.

 

[TwistedEllipses]

Our gestures are pretty much the same in England, do you have the V-sign in the U.S? It's basically the peace sign but with the back of your hand facing the person and it means the same as the middle finger...

 

[Rellik San]

In the UK we tend too have 3 constant gestures.

Flip the Bird; We do it, although its considered the limp wristed version of...

The Agincourt; So called from the British archers who used it as a taunt too the French, too perform it, you flip the peace sign 180 degrees. Where as flipping the bird has more of a "get lost" feel too it, this is more of a "fuck yourself and your entire family, I hope you die slowly of aids" style gesture.

The Wanker; This is where you make a loose fist and in mid air simulate the act of masturbation, this is used to imply someone who is speaking is a wanker subtly or too all out insult someone.


As for shaking hands its as it is anywhere a generic greeting or deal sealer. Thumbs up is rather then signifying something is cool, instead is used as an acknowledgement of something understood.

 

[Wapox]

In Denmark, we sort of live off of what we can "steal" from American and English culture... so, yea it means the same here.

 

[MikailCaboose]

In Iraq, the hand help up actually means "go ahead", not "stop". This kind of causes problems at U.S. military checkpoints.

So now that I'm curious, what's "stop" then?

 

[TwistedEllipses]

The Agincourt; So called from the British archers who used it as a taunt too the French

...ugh...I hate it when people report that myth as fact, it didn't exist as an insult before 1960...