Hand Gestures

These are some interesting facts about hand gestures; every current and future cast member should be familiar with them.

Thumbs-Up

In the Unites States, the gesture means "good going!" But in Bangladesh, it is a taunt, and in other Islamic countries it is the equivalent to the upraised middle finger.

The A-Okay

Joining the thumb and index finger in circle is an insult in many Latin American countires. When Richard Nixon was Vice President, he is reported to have greeted a crowd South of the Border with a double "a-okay." Imagine the Reaction! A Frenchman reads the gesture as meaning "Zero" or "worthless."

"V" for Victory

In the United States, it means "victory" or "peace." But in England, if the palm faces inward it is a taunt- especially if executed with an upward jerk of th efingers. History tells us that over 650 years ago, the French disabled the English archers they captured in battle by cutting off their middle and forefingers. After the batles of Agincourt and Crecy, where the French were heavily defeated, the triumphant English gloated over their French prisoners by holding up their hands, first two fingers upright, palm inward, to show bother fingers fully intact.

Hook'em Horns

The pinkie and index finger reased up and the middle two fingers folded down is a symbol for the fans of the University of Texas Longhorn- but in parts of Africa, this is a curse. And for millions of Italians, it is the cormuto which means that "Your spouse is being unfaithful." And, this means "hang loose" in Hawaii.

Finger Beckoning

Here we sometimes hail a waiter with the index finger slightly raised and the thumb loosely extended. In Japan, it is rude to beckon a waiter if you then motion with the index finger. In Germany, the waiter might respond by bringing you two more drinks. In Malaysia, curling the index finger is considered very rude- scratching the air would be preferable for calling a waiter.

Tapping Forehead with Forefinger

It means "smart" here, while in Holland tapping the center of the forehead means "he's crazy." But in Argentina, our sign for "he's crazy" (circling the forefinger next to the ear) could be confused with their signal for "you have a telephone call."

Stop Sign

Extending one hand, palm forward means "stop!" in the United States. In Greece it is the moutza, or hand push which is a common sign of confrontation. And in West Africa, the gesture is even more insulting than the upraised middle finger.

Hands in Pockets

Think you can save yourself a load of trouble by putting your hands in your pockets? Think again: keeping one's hands in one's pockets while conversing is impolie in Indonesia, France, and Japan.

Pointing with One Finger

Cast members are immediatly taught not to point with one finger as it is rude in many countries. Instead, cast members are instructed to either extend both their index finger and their middle finger together (the 2 finger point) or point using their entire hand. Disney points are also an easy way to identify other cast members who are not in costume.