April 09, 2003

Hand some

I think I’ve always talked a lot with my hands, but was often made to feel self-conscious about it back in Canada where it’s unceremoniously associated with “ethnic” communities (me being from the AR WASP batch).

Since I’ve been in France, however, I’ve been allowed to let loose. The men in particular, and especially here in the South, have an incredible stock of very specific hand gestures, so specific that words are often superfluous.

It’s a whole new vocabulary, sometimes regional, and so I’m still learning. Hard to say, but I guess that my favourites thus far are:

1) taking your right index finger and tugging at the skin just under your eye to mean mon oeil (my eye), i.e. bullshit.

and

2) hand held out in front of the body, followed by a rapid flicking of the wrist (and often accompanied by “o la la,” and sometimes biting of the lower lip) to denote severe derision of the subject at hand.

E.g. “Jean-Claude?” flick flick flick, o la la = what a jerk!

I use #1 with my kids on a regular basis, but seeing #2 just cracks me up each time (to the bemusement of many), although I confess having caught myself indulging in it from time to time (and I must say that it's very effective, and near therapeutic).

I’d love to know what gestures you’ve had to learn in your new homes. Do you use them? Or do you still feel like an impostor when you do?

Posted by Gail at April 9, 2003 04:43 PM
Comments

They use 1 in Poland, too. The eye. Sort of "yeah, right, tell me another one," or maybe "look me in the eye and tell me that again," all with one finger.

I like the one to indicate that someone's very drunk: you make a chopping motion with your hand against the side of your neck, as if you were chopping your own head off.

Posted by: Eeksy-Peeksyarghhywon'titrememberme? at April 9, 2003 08:15 PM

a few i've picked up in singapore

1) opening and closing of the fingers on one hand, thumb on the bottom and fingers on top (a bit like a mouth chattering away) - means 5, as in the number 5. 6 is pinky and thumb out, other 3 fingers closed into a fist. 7 is thumb and first finger out, other three fingers closed into a fist. closing the hand into a fist (fingers facing forward, toward the person you are gesticulating at) means 10.

2) arm held out in front of body, elbow bent, hand open and pointing upwards. now twist the wrist to move the hand around. this means 'don't have' or 'don't know'.

Posted by: Kristen at April 10, 2003 01:38 AM

Also in Singapore: tapping the table discreetly with your middle finger while someone pours your tea means "thank you". This is a Chinese thing, I understand.

Posted by: Mark at April 10, 2003 03:43 AM

funny what a difference location must make... up here in Normandy, we don't have a lot of hand gesturing really (except for those that are trying to be all ghetto or something). we actually associate that with italians, which would explain it being more prevelant in the south.

Posted by: kim at April 10, 2003 05:30 PM

People are so uptight here in Canada, aren't they? You must be relieved to be able to let loose.

Posted by: lola at April 10, 2003 10:50 PM

I believe the correct term is (the much-prized) "Protestant reserve."

Posted by: Gail at April 11, 2003 07:36 AM