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Europeans when saying goodbye wave a palm, raising it up and moving with
fingers. An American would interpret this gesture as a call «go here». To say good-
bye, Americans hold a palm horizontally, slightly raising it as though pat someone on
the head or on a shoulder. Russians at farewell usually wave a hand but side to side,
however, a Latin American would interpret it as gesture of an invitation. Italians sel-
dom offer a hand, but will pat you on your back when parting whereas in France such
gesture means «Get out and never appear any more!» In Latin America at farewell
they wave with a palm as Russians do it when they call somebody as though want to
tell «Come again!».
Another widely spread gesture means «OK». In the English-speaking countries
it is regarded as approving or positive gesture. At the same time in France this is an
expression of negative emotions with meanings of «doesn't worth attention» or «full
zero» while in Asia and Brazil this gesture is considered obscene and vulgar. Espe-
cially we should take care not to use this gesture in Tunisia as there it is a threatening
«I will kill you».
Movements of body seem to be widely understood, but still is a national speci-
fies as well. Usual shaking of the head that in Russia and in the countries of Europe
means «no «, in Bulgaria, Greece and India on the contrary refers to the approval and
a nod visa versa expresses disagreement. Showing forefinger means «nonsense» in
France, «mind» in Holland and «think independently» in Great Britain. It is also im-
portant to mention one feature of the countries with Buddhist religion. In Europe
stroking the child on the head usually is gesture of friendliness and tenderness. How-
ever, in Buddhist religion head is a place where souls live and by touching smb’s
head you show an aggressive invasion into privacy of the child. It is worth avoiding
this gesture in the countries where most of people practice Buddhist religion.
Facial expression may also be culturally justified. In Tibet the fact that the
passerby has shown you the tongue would mean a friendly «I plan nothing against
you «. However, in the countries of Europe such gesture can be understood as a per-
sonal insult. One more interesting gesture is touching a chin. Scratching a chin is
quite rough gesture in France, Belgium and in the north of Italy. Drawing attention to
your beard in these countries is considered a manifestation of aggression.
Movements with hands may have different means as well. In a number of
countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Africa and all region of the Middle East a left
hand is considered dirty. To eat with the left hand is a top of bad manners. The Koran
says that the Satan was a lefthander. The same rule also applies to handshake and giv-
ing objects. In Japan polite giving of any things is traditionally done with both hands
while the gesture by one hand can be assumed as a neglect.
Psychologists state that in course of interpersonal communication 60 to 80% of
information is passed nonverbally. The basic awareness of the use of body language