Meanings of Hand Gestures

“ Words represent your intellect. Sound, gesture and movement represent your feelings.”
-Patricia Fripp-

Hand gestures are used by all the cultures to express, both negatively and positively which is a particular feeling or word. Even though every culture has its own gestures, but it the meaning is not the same universally.


That's enough! You've been warned:
It is used to admonish or warn a single individual. If translated into language it would say. "Stop whatever you are doing and pay attention to me. I am your superior and I am warning you!" Classed as a "silent" parent to child gesture, it is completely unacceptable in a professional environment where it will be interpreted as both rude and domineering. Some psychologists believe that it is a metaphor for the cane / whip.



Come On - I'm Running Out of Time:
It is a sign of impatience or irritation. When this action is done subconsciously it indicates that the person doing it feels that it is "time" for the communication to end. Where it is done consciously it is a subtle signal that the communication needs to move on or end. This gesture is rarely missed by people for whom it is intended. Those from the Middle East will perceive this as extremely rude because their culture believe that once a communication has started it must "take its time".


You!
Pointing at people in the West country is considered rude. It falls into the same category as "don't stare". The use of this hand gesture implies that a dominant- to-subordinate relationship is taking place. It is a brave or desperate employee that points their finger at a superior in this manner. Translated into language would state: "You! I'm not happy. You'd better pay very close attention because this is very personal to you." Each of us don't like to be pointed at. This gesture singles people out from the safe huddle of the crowd.

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