1. GESTURES GesturesGestures are a form of nonverbal communication in which visible bodily actions are used to communicate important messages, either in place of speech or together and in parallel with spoken words. Gestures include movement of the hands, face, or other parts of the body. Gesture is distinct from sign language. Although some gestures differ little from one place to another, most gestures do not have universal meanings but connote specific meanings in particular cultures. nonverbal communicationspeechhandsfacebodysign language Gesturesnonverbal communicationspeechhandsfacebodysign language

2. Some gestures are universal…

3. …but most of them are not!

4. Thumps up! In Afghanistan, Iran and parts of Italy, the gesture is regarded as an insult equivalent to what the middle finger signifies in most of Europe. In these places, it roughly means "Sit on my phallus" and carries the same stigma as does raising the middle finger in the west. (Wikipedia)In Afghanistan, Iran and parts of Italy, the gesture is regarded as an insult equivalent to what the middle finger signifies in most of Europe. In these places, it roughly means "Sit on my phallus" and carries the same stigma as does raising the middle finger in the west. (Wikipedia)AfghanistanIranItalymiddle fingerAfghanistanIranItalymiddle finger

5. Greek “Mountza”

6. A "mountza" is the most traditional gesture of insult among Greeks which consists of extending all fingers of one or both hands and presenting the palm or palms towards the to-be- insulted person in a forward motion.A "mountza" is the most traditional gesture of insult among Greeks which consists of extending all fingers of one or both hands and presenting the palm or palms towards the to-be- insulted person in a forward motion.Greeks

8. Now your turn! Choose one or more of your national gestures and show them to the other participants!Choose one or more of your national gestures and show them to the other participants!