In any society hand gestures are used in replace of (or with) words to describe someone or something. They are so common people don't even realize that they are even using hand signals. In America the "thumbs up" and the peace sign are very commonly used, without a second thought. Yet every culture has a different set of gestures that are socially acceptable, and ones that are not. With only so many hand gestures available to use some hand gestures have two meanings depending on what culture is using them.
The following video shows woman from different cultures using hand signals from their culture and their meanings. You will see that hand signals in some cultures mean something totally different in another culture.
When two cultures are brought together there is always going to be some confusion for one side or the other. Hand gestures however can be offensive and cause new problems for the two cultures. There are many examples but here are some of the most common hand gesture differences.
The Thumbs Up
In America if you work in construction or in any noisy situation the classic "Thumbs Up" means you understand the information being relayed to you. Or maybe you want to show someone that they did a good job in America a "Thumbs Up" means good job.
Now let's change the situation you are on vacation in Greece and you are on a tour of their beautiful islands. You are having a good time and you see a few locals and you decide to give them the "Thumbs Up" to show you appreciate the situation. Their reply is dirty looks and maybe even a return thumbs up with a little more aggression. This is because in Greece and other countries such as Russia and West Africa a "Thumbs Up" means the same as the "middle finger" in the USA.
Come here Doggie!
Everyone knows what it means when someone looks at them and then motions using their index finger. It means come over here, often to show or tell that person something. This gesture is also used to call a dog over usually to play using a playful voice.
People in America tend not to get offended when this gesture is used to signal them but in other countries it is a big insult. My Aunt Lea is from the Philippians and she told me that in her country when this gesture is used on a person. It is pretty much saying that this person is nothing more than a dog and is below them in society.
The reason between cultures and this gesture is that it is how they view dogs. In America dogs are "Man's best friend" they are respected and a great companion. There are shelters for adopting dogs and laws in place to protect them. This isn't the case in the Philippians were dogs are commonly abused and are left roaming the streets starving. Also dog fighting is a common occurrence in the Philippians and that alone shows the level of respect dogs are shown which is zero. So being a dog in America isn't always a bad thing but being a dog in Philippians is as low as you can go.
(Information on dogs from)
Okay! Okay! I Get it!
Such a nice gesture across the ocean takes a complete 360 degree turn. Over in some parts of Europe it is the sign for the number Zero and implies that you are Zero (nothing).The okay sign also can be used as an insult in France and Latin America due to it representing an anus, and calling the person being gestured to an anus. Imagine making the mistake of using this sign in France after a fine meal, it would be very insulting to those serving the meal or anyone else that receives the gesture.
Hand Gestures are a normal part of every culture. They are taught to us at a young age and people continue to learn and use new signals as they learn them. When multiple cultures interact with each other there is always going to be a misunderstanding or two, due to simply not understanding each other. Yet if people take the time and initiative to understand other cultures, it is more than possible to do.
Source cited:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Hand-Gestures---What-They-Mean-in-Different-Countries&id=1595662
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/hand-gestures-and-their-meanings.html
