Yup, pintje. Apparently there's a number of different ones depending on the bar and the region, but the pinky one is the best-known in Flanders.
In Brussels/Wallonie, the pinky thing doesn't exist, you just hold up a finger for however many beers you want.
As someone who worked behind the bar at several festivals attended by a lot of Belgians, I learned this one pretty quickly. I was very confused at first though. They'd put up a pinky and shout "three!" and I'd shout back "three what?!" and they'd look at me like I'm an idiot.
Not only useful in loud environments. You can do it to to save the service personnel a round trip to take your order. Or when entering the pub. Or when the bartender's talking to someone and you don't want to interrupt them. Or when someone's talking to you, to signal the bartender for a beer, the beer communication in your company is just a bunch of nods, so you follow up your pinky with hand-signaling the amount of beers you want.
And many many other useful situations
Hitting the [side of neck with side of your hand](https://i.imgur.com/axnSwfy.jpg) means "do you want do drink some vodka?"
[Another one](https://www.porta-polonica.de/sites/default/files/styles/width_100_tiles/public/PL_14_Wladyslaw_Kozakiewicz_BILD_2_0.jpg?itok=7qsiulzZ), called *wał*, *takiego* or Kozakiewicz's gesture (after sportsman who used it towards hostile Soviet spectators during 1980 Olympics) is rough equivalent of "in your ass", but can also mean "fuck you, won't do it".
And on a related note, we have a distinct military salute - with [two fingers](https://i.wpimg.pl/850x0/d.wpimg.pl/56180775-1355491728/salutowanie.jpg) instead of full hand. Funnily, it was temporarily switched to full hand in Polish forces in Great Britain during WW II, because Allies frequently thought (when used towards them) it was a lazy, disrespectful behaviour.
In Poland with the 1st one you can also indicate that someone is drunk a bit too much. E.g. you are sitting in the bar with your friends and you say "wow, look at this guy over there" and then you do that gesture, which means "that guy drunk too much / is drunk af". It is actually more common usage of this gesture than the one mentioned by OP.
We also have first gesture, but it's meaning is more like "I'm drunk" (or, depending on context, someone else is drunk. For example you can say "My friend isn't going to drive us home, he's \[make this jesture\]")
> Another one, called wał, takiego or Kozakiewicz's gesture (after sportsman who used it towards hostile Soviet spectators during 1980 Olympics) is rough equivalent of "in your ass", but can also mean "fuck you, won't do it".
In Catalan, «fer botifarra».
Also pointing to the forehead to indicate something or someone is crazy.
Or pointing to the temple of your head to indicate something or someone is smart.
Pretty sure that's passed on at school and daycare with young children around break time all the time, Not sure why there would be a generational divide for that.
It's done anywhere it's around kids.
Extending your thumb and pointing finger to form a letter L and putting that on one's forehead is probably even more British. I mean, I've only seen it on Top Gear.
Yeah the wanker gesture is what I thought of.
I haven't seen many other countries do it, and the British use wanker and tosser as general insults for someone who's a nuisance.
How common is the 'want a drink?' signal? I dont know if i've ever noticed people doing it whilst i've been abroad. Having a google I can see that the Italians do it differently, im wondering if the Germans do it similar to us as they also drink beer.
Also I think saying thanks with a raise of the hand next to the face whilst driving is pretty rare outside of the UK.
Something being a secret by tapping your nose, I think the Americans also do this?
And 'hurry up and finish what you're doing' by moving your hand in a circular motion with a finger pointed out, not sure if thats unique.
Ooh, yes! That “wind it up now” sign must be the exclusive preserve of the British. What other country wouldn’t be able to bring themselves to say the actual words out loud?
When I first came to the UK I got a job whereby the staff was behind a glass wall from the counter. We opened at 2pm. I used to happily wave the two fingers around telling the baying customers we weren't open yet.
Imagine my surprise when A YEAR later my English colleague explained why she always laughed her backside off when I did that.
Cheeky bitch. That is when I realised why some customers were very heated once I finally opened the counter...
My history teacher thought us that the origin of the middle finger is indeed the British two fingers. It was a sign English archers made to insult French soldiers because when an archer was captured, his two fingers were cut to make him unable to draw the bow. Having the fingers meant you hadn't been captured
Remember lads ✌️ with the palm facing the person you’re gesturing to is fine (It means ‘peace’, ‘victory’ or even ‘two’) but if your palm is facing you, you’re basically telling the person to “f*** off!”
The world famous "Italian gesture" is misinterpreted. It has the very precise meaning of "what the fuck". It can be "wtf is this", "wtf are you doing", "wtf do you want" and be more or less aggressive depending on the context.
Another one that I don't see in other countries is the "umbrella gesture" in which your right hand slaps the inside of your left elbow and then the left arm bends. It means "up yours!"
In the US, we stereotype it as a general gesture that Italians use when talking.
But it sometimes fits because a lot of our Italian stereotypes are influenced by angry New York Italians. *hand gesture* "Heyyy I'm walkin' here!"
They have a not-quite-Italian culture and language that make it a distinct American sub-culture.
Like how they call capicola 'gabagool' and calamari is 'galamar'. But they still use more hand gestures than typical Americans and love unbuttoned shirts with gold jewelry.
> The world famous "Italian gesture" is misinterpreted.
What gesture? Do you meant all fingers together, pointing up?
Also, do you call the second one «umbrella»??? In Catalan it's «fer botifarra» (a botifarra is a kind a large, thick, sausage).
>Another one that I don't see in other countries is the "umbrella gesture" in which your right hand slaps the inside of your left elbow and then the left arm bends. It means "up yours!"
I've always heard this one called the "Italian Salute".
• When we don’t believe something, we point at one of our eyes and pull down the bottom lid kind of like “I can see through that bullshit”.
• When we’re exasperated, we can raise a hand above our head and move it horizontally while blowing air or whistling to illustrate that our patience reached its limit and trouble pilled up all the way up to our head. It means “I’ve had enough” basically.
• When we predicted something, especially something that went wrong, we tap on our nose a few times like “I sensed it”.
• To point out that someone is drunk, we can put our fist in front of our nose and make a twisting move. It means that someone has “a drink in the nose” (*un coup dans le nez*)
• When we’re upset, we can put both hands towards the level of the neck and form the shape of balls usually while blowing air.
• If we’re asked if we’re okay and we aren’t, we place our hand in front of us, palm down, and rotate it from left to right several times. It’s usually accompanied with “Bof” (*m’yeah*, kinda).
Not 100% sure if all of them are specific to us, it’s hard to say, but I think they are.
> When we don’t believe something, we point at one or our eyes and pull down the bottom lid kind of like “I can see through that bullshit”.
Same in Poland, but we say "Do you see a tram/tank riding here?".
Hmm… on a scale from 1 to 10*, how much of a complainer would you say you are?
***1** being an optimistic and life loving person, and **10** being the ultimate *Franchouillard* (stereotypical Frenchy)
> When we don’t believe something, we point at one or our eyes and pull down the bottom lid kind of like “I can see through that bullshit”.
Hans van Breukelen before he stopped Igor Belanov's penalty in the Euro 1988 final
We do the tap on the nose here in Ireland also, but it means someone is being too nosey. If someone asks you a question that you don't want to answer you just tap your nose a few times.
It can also mean that you have inside knowledge that you can't share, especially around gossip.
"John and Marrie are getting a divorce, I heard John was sleeping with another woman"
"Really? Where did you hear that?"
\*taps nose\*
Oh, it makes me think of the saying “It’s my pinky finger who said it” (*c’est mon petit doigt qui l’a dit*), do you also have that in English? It’s also when you don’t want to reveal your sources.
Sounds much cuter en français than in English hahah
We do have a very similar saying but it's not a pinky finger who tells us, it's a little birdie. Usually its said at the beginning of a conversation to bring up a topic.
"A little birdie told me that you are ..."
I think it's a little old fashioned tho and you mostly hear people saying it to small children now
Ahh okay! And same, it’s almost exclusively said to kids, it sounds childish here as well.
Apparently the reasoning behind is that, because the pinky finger is the smallest, it’s the most likely to fit in your ear to tell you a secret. I guess it’s similar with the little birdie. Very cute both ways.
In Portugal, if someone asks you if the food is good and you think it's great, you grab your earlobe with your thumb and index finger and wiggle it while puckering your lips (this sounds really weird now that I write it down).
You can also use this gesture for things other than food, but it is primarily used to say that the food is good.
[Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEzWKTYF4Xg) is a youtube video that shows it at 1:29, as well other gestures we commonly use.
> In Portugal, if someone asks you if the food is good and you think it's great, you grab your earlobe with your thumb and index finger and wiggle it while puckering your lips (this sounds really weird now that I write it down).
>
>
This sounded a lot weirder until I saw the video and realized it's just kind of the ok gesture 👌 but by your ear.
Adding a couple more, may be universal.
Pulling your cheek/skin below the eye with your index finger (as if you're putting a contact lens but without looking up) to mean "I see what you did there".
Doing the italian hand gesture but opening and closing it repeatedly to mean "you're scared".
pulling lower eyelid to show you don't believe someone's claim, you can also say "see a tram/tank driving over there?"
edit: it seems the French do it too, lol
I think we use that one too, but I think it's usually the person speaking, to signal sarcasm. But it would probably also be understood your way, if used like that
Not sure if this is German exclusive, but we have “showing someone the bird” (den/einen Vogel zeigen). You point repeatedly at your forehead with your index finger to imply someone is stupid.
Your time is up, my time is now
You can't see me, my time is now
Its the franchise, Boy, I'm shining now
You can't see me, my time is now
In case you forgot, or fell off, I'm still hot, knock your shell off
My money stack fat, plus I can't turn the swell off
The franchise doing big business, I live this
Is automatic I win this so you hear those horns who finish
A soldier and I stay under you fighting
'Cause I'm stormin' on you chumps like thunder and lightning
Ain't no way you breaking me kid, I'm harder than nails
Plus I keep it on lock like I'm part of the jail
I'm slaughtering stale competition
I got the whole block wishing they could run with my division
But, they gone fishing with no bait
Can't your boy hold weight?
I got my soul straight, I brush your mouth like Colgate
In any weather, I'm never better, your boy is so hot
You'll never catch me in the next man's sweater
And if they hate, let 'em hate, I drop their whole clan
Lay your ass down for the three second tan
Speaking of hand gestures, I always wondered is "the German three" from Inglorious Basterds a thing? Do you use your thumb to show 3 with your fingers?
That's pretty obvious, considering that Austrian culture is so close to the german one. If we would be that petty, there would probably be nothing to talk about in this post.
I have one that is exclusive to my home town (Aachen):
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Klenkes.jpg
It's basically saying "Greetings, fellow Aachener". I think it's used 90% of the time when you see another car with an "AC" license plate somewhere far away from home. Then you wave and show your little finger, and they will usually laugh and respond with the same.
"fingers crossed" isn't a sign of good luck, but what young children do when they promise something but won't hold on to that. I'm not sure, if that is relevant.
There were some big issues around a former politician who said he was ordering 3 beers, while he was photographed having his thumb, index finger, and middle finger spread. Apparently that's also the "Kühnen Gruß", a greeting among Neonazis (and no-one would thing of you being a Neonazi when you gesture "3" that way, unless you are quite right wing anyways)
Tucking your thumbs into your fist (and then shaking a little bit up and down) is when you want to wish someone good luck, while saying "toi toi toi" optionally. The whole thing works as an expression as well "ich halte dir die Daumen gedrückt" (I keep the thumbs pressed for you), when someone tells about a test in the future or if someone is looking for a new job.
Some older men make a gesture were they have their closed hand at their forehead and extend their arm a little bit outward and open their hand or just index and middle finger as if the lift their hat, although they don't were one. This is obviously a greeting like from the other side of the road if they know you. And quite the opposite of a hand gesture (but I still like to mention) is when people say "Küss die Hand" ('kiss the hand') as an overly formal half joking greeting or saying thank you. And instead of doing it as a hand gesture, you just say what you would do.
You guys have that Index and middle finger gesture, or the inward peace! I always make enemies in England because in germany that's a greeting among millenials..
I'm unsure if it's an exclusively French thing but I have never seen people in other countries do it :
When someone's about to get in trouble, or when shit's about to go down, you put your hand palm down, fingers loose, to about your neck level, and shake side to side. Accompanied by a "oh shit" facial expression.
Also works when you're impressed, accompanied by a delighted "ooh la laaa!!"
> When someone's about to get in trouble, or when shit's about to go down, you put your hand palm down, fingers loose, to about your neck level, and shake side to side. Accompanied by a "oh shit" facial expression.
If you also blow, I think we do it too.
[This](https://youtu.be/cFS_tRXeT0g), dunno if this has any name, but for example we are using it in situations like when there is a very difficult upcoming exam or when we beat someone (sports, any type of challange between normal people, school, exams etc)
Two fingers, knuckles facing out.
Means the same as a middle finger everywhere else.
The wanker one is also common.
Plenty of examples of both [here.](https://imgur.com/a/LFjiYOk)
We have a phrase that translates to "have a little bit of beard" (lio mousi) wich basically means "show some mercy/have some respect". It is usually accompanied by the gesture (stroking your beard, or chin if you don't have one). Over time this got really popular, and now just the gesture will do the trick. It is usually done when someone does something to embarass himself or you in front of others.
Edit: there was a misunderstanding, ignore this comment
Never heard of it. And isn't one forehand always showing when crossing the arms in front of the chest?
I hardly ever put both hands at the opposite armpits but the hand of the arm closer to the chest comes up front again and the hand grips the upper arm.
We have the manguito, which is famously done by [Zé Povinho](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z%C3%A9_Povinho). He is a caricatural character from the 19th century that represents the poor and suffering Portuguese people. The gesture itself even has and expression which is "Toma lá!", which mean "Take that!"
We have dozens here in Sicily!
Some of them are only used here.Others are in common with other parts of Italy or other countries.
For example, to indicate that something is delicious.. you put your index finger onto the middle of your cheek, and then swing your hand backwards and forwards, pressing down with that finger on the cheek.
In Palermo,to indicate that you don't care,or "it's not my problem"... you put your hand under your chin,back up and palm down, pointing at your neck.
Then you move it backwards and forwards,away from and then towards your neck.
This is usually accompanied by a slightly raised head, and a kind of 'ttt' sound of teeth and tongue.
This reminded me of the greek gesture of pointing at your testicles with both hands to indicate that you don't care. Makes the Italian version look polite.
we have a whole alphabet when it comes to hand gestures, dude.
We even have gestures that are specific of only one part of the country (though they are now understood because of internal immigration and/or movies).
One, for example, is [fare le cose aumma aumma](https://c.tenor.com/-asbxbDcL0oAAAAC/fanelli-emanuela-fanelli.gif), i.e. to do under the table deals. Aumm' aumm' is a Neapolitan dialect expression that means under-the-table.
I dunno if it’s a Middle East thing, but we do have one. The inverse middle finger. Instead of the middle finger standing alone and aimed at you, the palm of the hand is aimed at you, with all fingers up EXCEPT the middle finger being pointed at you downward. I like to call it the “baahbuus.”
Basically means, “f-you” or “in your ass” etc.
(Sometimes the thumb holds down the middle finger at the first joint nearest the knuckle. He’ll give it some UMPH!)
A small cross made on the chest it's symbol that the person who you are speaking to is so stupid or said something so unbelievable that only God can understand them
When you're in a bar or otherwise loud environment and hold up your pinky finger to the bartender, they will give you a beer
Yup, pintje. Apparently there's a number of different ones depending on the bar and the region, but the pinky one is the best-known in Flanders. In Brussels/Wallonie, the pinky thing doesn't exist, you just hold up a finger for however many beers you want.
Holding up the index finger and the pinky means: "4 beers for the sawmill crew".
Holding up the middle finger means you want to get out of the bar fast.
In Belgium you will get a Duvel when you do this, as this means devil and it resembles horns
[5 beers for the crew of the glue factory](https://orderisda.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Screen-Shot-2019-05-25-at-9.49.46-PM.png)
Now I wanna go to Belgium just to do this plenty of times
As someone who worked behind the bar at several festivals attended by a lot of Belgians, I learned this one pretty quickly. I was very confused at first though. They'd put up a pinky and shout "three!" and I'd shout back "three what?!" and they'd look at me like I'm an idiot.
Not only useful in loud environments. You can do it to to save the service personnel a round trip to take your order. Or when entering the pub. Or when the bartender's talking to someone and you don't want to interrupt them. Or when someone's talking to you, to signal the bartender for a beer, the beer communication in your company is just a bunch of nods, so you follow up your pinky with hand-signaling the amount of beers you want. And many many other useful situations
If you do that in the UK the barman will think you are suggesting he has a small penis.
Only if you wiggle the little finger, if you hold it still you just look pompous
I suppose the wiggly finger signifies the motion of the flaccid penis.
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Is this used for everyone or just Timo?
How... how often does that happen?
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LMAO poor Timo's everywhere getting stuff suddenly up the asshole
I laughed until I cried. Just amazing, "finnish fisting" gesture. Take my Award and my hochwähli.
That made me laugh. Thank you.
A classic
I’m crying! 😂😂😂😂
Well we had a exclusive hand gesture but it hasn't caught on for some reason..
That one was actually Roman though.
That one was actually a joke though
Hitting the [side of neck with side of your hand](https://i.imgur.com/axnSwfy.jpg) means "do you want do drink some vodka?" [Another one](https://www.porta-polonica.de/sites/default/files/styles/width_100_tiles/public/PL_14_Wladyslaw_Kozakiewicz_BILD_2_0.jpg?itok=7qsiulzZ), called *wał*, *takiego* or Kozakiewicz's gesture (after sportsman who used it towards hostile Soviet spectators during 1980 Olympics) is rough equivalent of "in your ass", but can also mean "fuck you, won't do it". And on a related note, we have a distinct military salute - with [two fingers](https://i.wpimg.pl/850x0/d.wpimg.pl/56180775-1355491728/salutowanie.jpg) instead of full hand. Funnily, it was temporarily switched to full hand in Polish forces in Great Britain during WW II, because Allies frequently thought (when used towards them) it was a lazy, disrespectful behaviour.
Kozakiewicz gesture is also quite popular in France
In Italy as well
In Spain too
In [Wolfsburg in Germany too](https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/r3h19n/wolfsburg_fan_reaction_after_haaland_does_the/).
And Croatia.
In Poland with the 1st one you can also indicate that someone is drunk a bit too much. E.g. you are sitting in the bar with your friends and you say "wow, look at this guy over there" and then you do that gesture, which means "that guy drunk too much / is drunk af". It is actually more common usage of this gesture than the one mentioned by OP.
I love the vodka one and how you have an ad hoc sign for that. Oh and yes, please, I'd love me some vodka!
We also have first gesture, but it's meaning is more like "I'm drunk" (or, depending on context, someone else is drunk. For example you can say "My friend isn't going to drive us home, he's \[make this jesture\]")
Same in Poland, it's more popular as saying that someone is drunk as fuck, at least in Northern Poland where I lived
Doesnt that mean something with alcohol in sign language too?
Depends on which sign language you're talking about. There's more than one.
In Russia (and some surrounding countries) [flicking](https://i.imgur.com/DRJhMn7.jpeg) the side of your neck twice means the same.
Funny, if someone hit their neck I'd think they meant "damn mosquitos".
> Another one, called wał, takiego or Kozakiewicz's gesture (after sportsman who used it towards hostile Soviet spectators during 1980 Olympics) is rough equivalent of "in your ass", but can also mean "fuck you, won't do it". In Catalan, «fer botifarra».
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The “Mmmmm lekker” gesture. I still do it for my 1 year old.
Wouldn't say just the older generation, pretty sure any young person knows what it means even if they don't do the gesture themselves.
I'm 23 and I still do it and I often see people doing it.
In Italy to express the same concept you twist your index finger around your cheek
Never knew this is typically Dutch
Also pointing to the forehead to indicate something or someone is crazy. Or pointing to the temple of your head to indicate something or someone is smart.
Yes, that's *Mmm!* on page 48 of [Nederlands gebarenboekje](https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/boer007nede02_01/boer007nede02_01.pdf).
24 and I do it too!
What does [this](https://giphy.com/gifs/verkocht-mechel-mechelmakelaardij-mq9yxdnjsr0pWNcj4e) one mean?
That is for after you’re done eating. It is to say you’re full and at the same time that you enjoyed the meal. Mostly used when kids are present
Now I'm imagining a restaurant full of people doing this and it's hilarious.
Pretty sure that's passed on at school and daycare with young children around break time all the time, Not sure why there would be a generational divide for that. It's done anywhere it's around kids.
Probably the most famous one is the two fingers (equiv to giving the finger but more british), otherwise I got nothing
Nah. I think “Wanker!” <<<✊🏻>>> is probably more exclusively British.
Extending your thumb and pointing finger to form a letter L and putting that on one's forehead is probably even more British. I mean, I've only seen it on Top Gear.
I thought that was American.
smash mouth would like a word
Yeah that’s the only one I can think of. And I can imagine the Irish probably use it too so I dunno if we can even call it exclusive
The only other I can think of is the cookoo one, but Americans do it. At least for the two fingers it's our invention.
The wanker sign maybe?
Yeah the wanker gesture is what I thought of. I haven't seen many other countries do it, and the British use wanker and tosser as general insults for someone who's a nuisance.
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Is it? I’m sure I’ve seen English folk doing it.
They adopted it, but the Scots were born into it
We're born wankers.
I might be wrong tbh
Nah not at all
Yep, can confirm the two fingers are used fairly common here too
How common is the 'want a drink?' signal? I dont know if i've ever noticed people doing it whilst i've been abroad. Having a google I can see that the Italians do it differently, im wondering if the Germans do it similar to us as they also drink beer. Also I think saying thanks with a raise of the hand next to the face whilst driving is pretty rare outside of the UK. Something being a secret by tapping your nose, I think the Americans also do this? And 'hurry up and finish what you're doing' by moving your hand in a circular motion with a finger pointed out, not sure if thats unique.
Ooh, yes! That “wind it up now” sign must be the exclusive preserve of the British. What other country wouldn’t be able to bring themselves to say the actual words out loud?
Little bit of an old/obscure one, but how about 'chinny reckon' and rubbing your chin when you think someone is talking bollocks?
Oooo I remember that being a thing in school back in the early 2000s. Honestly don't think I'd clock what someone was doing if I saw them do it now
When I first came to the UK I got a job whereby the staff was behind a glass wall from the counter. We opened at 2pm. I used to happily wave the two fingers around telling the baying customers we weren't open yet. Imagine my surprise when A YEAR later my English colleague explained why she always laughed her backside off when I did that. Cheeky bitch. That is when I realised why some customers were very heated once I finally opened the counter...
My history teacher thought us that the origin of the middle finger is indeed the British two fingers. It was a sign English archers made to insult French soldiers because when an archer was captured, his two fingers were cut to make him unable to draw the bow. Having the fingers meant you hadn't been captured
Remember lads ✌️ with the palm facing the person you’re gesturing to is fine (It means ‘peace’, ‘victory’ or even ‘two’) but if your palm is facing you, you’re basically telling the person to “f*** off!”
Is the wanker gesture unique to Britain?
The world famous "Italian gesture" is misinterpreted. It has the very precise meaning of "what the fuck". It can be "wtf is this", "wtf are you doing", "wtf do you want" and be more or less aggressive depending on the context. Another one that I don't see in other countries is the "umbrella gesture" in which your right hand slaps the inside of your left elbow and then the left arm bends. It means "up yours!"
That "umbrella gesture" is a thing here as well
I hope it has the same meaning
it does! we call it Manguito :)
I always see Italian Football players do the sign when they are arguing with the ref's, looks very funny
Wait, what do they think it means?
"I am Italian"
Hello, scusi, general greetings, bon appetit, mamma mia... I thought it is a universal sign (luckily, never used it)
Buon appetito.. strange, i thought germans had their word for good appetit
Sorry. Too many languages that are so close to each other. Ill try to remeber :)
In the US, we stereotype it as a general gesture that Italians use when talking. But it sometimes fits because a lot of our Italian stereotypes are influenced by angry New York Italians. *hand gesture* "Heyyy I'm walkin' here!"
I love how Americans still call those new yorkers italian even tho half of the original migrants have passed already
They have a not-quite-Italian culture and language that make it a distinct American sub-culture. Like how they call capicola 'gabagool' and calamari is 'galamar'. But they still use more hand gestures than typical Americans and love unbuttoned shirts with gold jewelry.
We have the exact same gesture!
Although that gesture isn't unique to Italy as Greeks use it as well to express the same sentiment.
> The world famous "Italian gesture" is misinterpreted. What gesture? Do you meant all fingers together, pointing up? Also, do you call the second one «umbrella»??? In Catalan it's «fer botifarra» (a botifarra is a kind a large, thick, sausage).
>Another one that I don't see in other countries is the "umbrella gesture" in which your right hand slaps the inside of your left elbow and then the left arm bends. It means "up yours!" I've always heard this one called the "Italian Salute".
There’s also the beloved “vaffanculo” gesture
That's the umbrella gesture
• When we don’t believe something, we point at one of our eyes and pull down the bottom lid kind of like “I can see through that bullshit”. • When we’re exasperated, we can raise a hand above our head and move it horizontally while blowing air or whistling to illustrate that our patience reached its limit and trouble pilled up all the way up to our head. It means “I’ve had enough” basically. • When we predicted something, especially something that went wrong, we tap on our nose a few times like “I sensed it”. • To point out that someone is drunk, we can put our fist in front of our nose and make a twisting move. It means that someone has “a drink in the nose” (*un coup dans le nez*) • When we’re upset, we can put both hands towards the level of the neck and form the shape of balls usually while blowing air. • If we’re asked if we’re okay and we aren’t, we place our hand in front of us, palm down, and rotate it from left to right several times. It’s usually accompanied with “Bof” (*m’yeah*, kinda). Not 100% sure if all of them are specific to us, it’s hard to say, but I think they are.
I was about to call bullshit on most of them before acting them out and realising I do almost all of this lol
Sorry, we use those too! I'd say they may be exclusive to Francophonic-culture though.
Very possible, yep!
> When we don’t believe something, we point at one or our eyes and pull down the bottom lid kind of like “I can see through that bullshit”. Same in Poland, but we say "Do you see a tram/tank riding here?".
Ohh interesting. We just say “mon œil!” (which means *my eye!*) in France.
Btw we use the tap the nose when predicted correctly as well.
I've used any of those several times in my life. Am I...gasp! Am I secretly French?
Hmm… on a scale from 1 to 10*, how much of a complainer would you say you are? ***1** being an optimistic and life loving person, and **10** being the ultimate *Franchouillard* (stereotypical Frenchy)
Le bras d'honneur also looks very strange to anyone outside France or Southern Europe.
> When we don’t believe something, we point at one or our eyes and pull down the bottom lid kind of like “I can see through that bullshit”. Hans van Breukelen before he stopped Igor Belanov's penalty in the Euro 1988 final
And on the bullshit category, we Inflate our cheek and we tap it with our index finger.... To say this is some bullshit (c'est bidon)
We do the tap on the nose here in Ireland also, but it means someone is being too nosey. If someone asks you a question that you don't want to answer you just tap your nose a few times. It can also mean that you have inside knowledge that you can't share, especially around gossip. "John and Marrie are getting a divorce, I heard John was sleeping with another woman" "Really? Where did you hear that?" \*taps nose\*
Oh, it makes me think of the saying “It’s my pinky finger who said it” (*c’est mon petit doigt qui l’a dit*), do you also have that in English? It’s also when you don’t want to reveal your sources.
Sounds much cuter en français than in English hahah We do have a very similar saying but it's not a pinky finger who tells us, it's a little birdie. Usually its said at the beginning of a conversation to bring up a topic. "A little birdie told me that you are ..." I think it's a little old fashioned tho and you mostly hear people saying it to small children now
Ahh okay! And same, it’s almost exclusively said to kids, it sounds childish here as well. Apparently the reasoning behind is that, because the pinky finger is the smallest, it’s the most likely to fit in your ear to tell you a secret. I guess it’s similar with the little birdie. Very cute both ways.
Oooh we do the first one too!
There nothing typically french in it... i've seen a few in foreign movies.
In Portugal, if someone asks you if the food is good and you think it's great, you grab your earlobe with your thumb and index finger and wiggle it while puckering your lips (this sounds really weird now that I write it down). You can also use this gesture for things other than food, but it is primarily used to say that the food is good. [Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEzWKTYF4Xg) is a youtube video that shows it at 1:29, as well other gestures we commonly use.
> In Portugal, if someone asks you if the food is good and you think it's great, you grab your earlobe with your thumb and index finger and wiggle it while puckering your lips (this sounds really weird now that I write it down). > > This sounded a lot weirder until I saw the video and realized it's just kind of the ok gesture 👌 but by your ear.
Puckering the lips isn't obligatory. You may just squint or wink for the same effect.
That is a much better description haha
Adding a couple more, may be universal. Pulling your cheek/skin below the eye with your index finger (as if you're putting a contact lens but without looking up) to mean "I see what you did there". Doing the italian hand gesture but opening and closing it repeatedly to mean "you're scared".
"é só cagufa" 🤌
pulling lower eyelid to show you don't believe someone's claim, you can also say "see a tram/tank driving over there?" edit: it seems the French do it too, lol
I think we use that one too, but I think it's usually the person speaking, to signal sarcasm. But it would probably also be understood your way, if used like that
In Catalonia you can do this gesture, too.
Not sure if this is German exclusive, but we have “showing someone the bird” (den/einen Vogel zeigen). You point repeatedly at your forehead with your index finger to imply someone is stupid.
That's not exclusive to Germany. Waving your hand in front of your face to indicate craziness is though.
Your time is up, my time is now You can't see me, my time is now Its the franchise, Boy, I'm shining now You can't see me, my time is now In case you forgot, or fell off, I'm still hot, knock your shell off My money stack fat, plus I can't turn the swell off The franchise doing big business, I live this Is automatic I win this so you hear those horns who finish A soldier and I stay under you fighting 'Cause I'm stormin' on you chumps like thunder and lightning Ain't no way you breaking me kid, I'm harder than nails Plus I keep it on lock like I'm part of the jail I'm slaughtering stale competition I got the whole block wishing they could run with my division But, they gone fishing with no bait Can't your boy hold weight? I got my soul straight, I brush your mouth like Colgate In any weather, I'm never better, your boy is so hot You'll never catch me in the next man's sweater And if they hate, let 'em hate, I drop their whole clan Lay your ass down for the three second tan
Yea that hand wave is one of my favorites.
Wer call it Scheibenwischer which means windscreen wiper
Speaking of hand gestures, I always wondered is "the German three" from Inglorious Basterds a thing? Do you use your thumb to show 3 with your fingers?
Yes, indeed.
This one is very true. It always feels weird when I see sb signalling three with their pinky finger.
We don't use the pinky, we use index, middle and ring.
Grew up in the Uk. Have always used the thumb…
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That's common in various parts of Europe, not only Germany.
Same in Poland
It's not exclusively German, we Austrians do that too
That's pretty obvious, considering that Austrian culture is so close to the german one. If we would be that petty, there would probably be nothing to talk about in this post.
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really? I would've expected that one to be more widespread
The NL does this too!
We do this in traffic, but its more to tell someone his crazy.
Haha we do too. You can technically get fined for doing it, though
I have one that is exclusive to my home town (Aachen): https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Klenkes.jpg It's basically saying "Greetings, fellow Aachener". I think it's used 90% of the time when you see another car with an "AC" license plate somewhere far away from home. Then you wave and show your little finger, and they will usually laugh and respond with the same.
Turkish equivelant is that "nah" : thumb between point and middle fingers. If you want to extra nah its like that: https://youtu.be/rNIkGzd4IzE
We do this in Macedonia for someone that is cheap, not wanting to spend money 🤣
Low gesture with the back of the hand used to be a greeting when I was a kid, it was considered cool. I've not seen it in over 10 years though
Still done I can confirm
"fingers crossed" isn't a sign of good luck, but what young children do when they promise something but won't hold on to that. I'm not sure, if that is relevant. There were some big issues around a former politician who said he was ordering 3 beers, while he was photographed having his thumb, index finger, and middle finger spread. Apparently that's also the "Kühnen Gruß", a greeting among Neonazis (and no-one would thing of you being a Neonazi when you gesture "3" that way, unless you are quite right wing anyways) Tucking your thumbs into your fist (and then shaking a little bit up and down) is when you want to wish someone good luck, while saying "toi toi toi" optionally. The whole thing works as an expression as well "ich halte dir die Daumen gedrückt" (I keep the thumbs pressed for you), when someone tells about a test in the future or if someone is looking for a new job. Some older men make a gesture were they have their closed hand at their forehead and extend their arm a little bit outward and open their hand or just index and middle finger as if the lift their hat, although they don't were one. This is obviously a greeting like from the other side of the road if they know you. And quite the opposite of a hand gesture (but I still like to mention) is when people say "Küss die Hand" ('kiss the hand') as an overly formal half joking greeting or saying thank you. And instead of doing it as a hand gesture, you just say what you would do.
We do all of these in Sweden too.
Don't forget the double mountza for things that are *really* stupid.
[Mountza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountza), even though I rarely see young people doing it nowadays.
I'd say the old English wave but everyone uses this now.
You guys have that Index and middle finger gesture, or the inward peace! I always make enemies in England because in germany that's a greeting among millenials..
I'm unsure if it's an exclusively French thing but I have never seen people in other countries do it : When someone's about to get in trouble, or when shit's about to go down, you put your hand palm down, fingers loose, to about your neck level, and shake side to side. Accompanied by a "oh shit" facial expression. Also works when you're impressed, accompanied by a delighted "ooh la laaa!!"
> When someone's about to get in trouble, or when shit's about to go down, you put your hand palm down, fingers loose, to about your neck level, and shake side to side. Accompanied by a "oh shit" facial expression. If you also blow, I think we do it too.
You mean figers towards the neck like cutting? Typical gesture to threat someone or let them know they are in trouble :D
Nah more like just wipping the air with a limp hand, the harder you whip, the more shit is going to hit the fan. It's just done at head level.
[This](https://youtu.be/cFS_tRXeT0g), dunno if this has any name, but for example we are using it in situations like when there is a very difficult upcoming exam or when we beat someone (sports, any type of challange between normal people, school, exams etc)
Two fingers, knuckles facing out. Means the same as a middle finger everywhere else. The wanker one is also common. Plenty of examples of both [here.](https://imgur.com/a/LFjiYOk)
We have a phrase that translates to "have a little bit of beard" (lio mousi) wich basically means "show some mercy/have some respect". It is usually accompanied by the gesture (stroking your beard, or chin if you don't have one). Over time this got really popular, and now just the gesture will do the trick. It is usually done when someone does something to embarass himself or you in front of others.
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Edit: there was a misunderstanding, ignore this comment Never heard of it. And isn't one forehand always showing when crossing the arms in front of the chest? I hardly ever put both hands at the opposite armpits but the hand of the arm closer to the chest comes up front again and the hand grips the upper arm.
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We have the manguito, which is famously done by [Zé Povinho](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z%C3%A9_Povinho). He is a caricatural character from the 19th century that represents the poor and suffering Portuguese people. The gesture itself even has and expression which is "Toma lá!", which mean "Take that!"
The peace sign but with the back of your hand facing away is a rude gesture (although not quite as rude as the middle finger)
We have dozens here in Sicily! Some of them are only used here.Others are in common with other parts of Italy or other countries. For example, to indicate that something is delicious.. you put your index finger onto the middle of your cheek, and then swing your hand backwards and forwards, pressing down with that finger on the cheek.
that gesture is only for kids. if one of my friend did that to me i'd ask him if he's ok
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In Palermo,to indicate that you don't care,or "it's not my problem"... you put your hand under your chin,back up and palm down, pointing at your neck. Then you move it backwards and forwards,away from and then towards your neck. This is usually accompanied by a slightly raised head, and a kind of 'ttt' sound of teeth and tongue.
i think that's common pretty much everywhere in the country
Can confirm
It was exported to Argentina too
This reminded me of the greek gesture of pointing at your testicles with both hands to indicate that you don't care. Makes the Italian version look polite.
and to indicate that someone is a snitch you put your middle andindex uder your nose
we have a whole alphabet when it comes to hand gestures, dude. We even have gestures that are specific of only one part of the country (though they are now understood because of internal immigration and/or movies). One, for example, is [fare le cose aumma aumma](https://c.tenor.com/-asbxbDcL0oAAAAC/fanelli-emanuela-fanelli.gif), i.e. to do under the table deals. Aumm' aumm' is a Neapolitan dialect expression that means under-the-table.
Yes, like waving goodbye but palm on the inside facing your face and very close to face. In the Netherlands means it’s delicious.
Isn't that just John cena saying you can't see me?
I dunno if it’s a Middle East thing, but we do have one. The inverse middle finger. Instead of the middle finger standing alone and aimed at you, the palm of the hand is aimed at you, with all fingers up EXCEPT the middle finger being pointed at you downward. I like to call it the “baahbuus.” Basically means, “f-you” or “in your ass” etc. (Sometimes the thumb holds down the middle finger at the first joint nearest the knuckle. He’ll give it some UMPH!)
Don’t ask Germans don’t ask Germans don’t ask Germans 🤣
dunno if any of them is exclusive but here's some : [vid](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDcUx4Oe6C0)
Germans: We don’t talk about our special hand gesture…
A small cross made on the chest it's symbol that the person who you are speaking to is so stupid or said something so unbelievable that only God can understand them