Gestures Around the World
What does the “thumbs up” gesture usually mean in the U.S.?
It means “Good job” or “Okay.
What emotion does a smile usually show?
Happiness or friendliness.
What is non-verbal communication?
Communicating without words, using gestures, facial expressions, and tone.
In Italy, what does the hand gesture with fingers joined and moving up and down mean?
It means “What do you want?” or “What are you saying?”
Why can smiling be confusing across cultures?
In some cultures, people smile to hide stress or embarrassment, not happiness.
Why is non-verbal communication important across cultures?
It helps people connect and understand emotions when they don’t share the same language.
What does the Korean gesture “fighting!” mean?
It’s a way to cheer someone on — it means “You can do it!”
What emotion can raised eyebrows show?
Surprise or disbelief.
Compare greetings in the U.S. and Korea.
U.S.: handshakes or hugs; Korea: bowing politely.
In Kazakhstan, what gesture shows respect to elders?
Slight bow or touching the heart while greeting.
In which culture is direct eye contact sometimes considered impolite?
In Korean or other Asian cultures, because it may seem disrespectful to elders.
What can happen if people misinterpret non-verbal signals?
Misunderstandings or awkward situations in communication.
Why can the same gesture have different meanings in different countries?
Because gestures depend on culture, traditions, and social norms — one gesture can be polite in one place and rude in another.
How can understanding facial expressions help in communication?
It helps people understand feelings even without speaking the same language.
How can learning non-verbal communication help future diplomats or travelers?
It helps build respect, avoid cultural mistakes, and improve relationships across countries.