thumb protruding out between the index finger and the middle finger is a sexual
sign with a variety of interpretations. This same gesture is the letter“T”in American
Sign Language (ASL).^56Beckoning Gestures. The sign used for beckoning is also attached to culture. In the
United States, when a person wants to signal a friend to come, he or she usually
makes the gesture with one hand, palm up, fingers more or less together, and moving
toward the body. In much of Latin America, this gesture takes on romantic connota-
tions. And in the Philippines, that same gesture is often used to call one’s dog. Chi-
nese and Koreans signal someone to come by cupping“the hand with the palm down
and drawing the fingers toward the palm.”^57 Vietnamese use this same beckoning
sign. When Americans see this gesture, many often think the other person is waving
good-bye. In Germany and much of Scandinavia, tossing the head back constitutes a
beckoning motion. For many Arabs, holding the right hand out, palm upward, and
opening and closing the hand is nonverbally asking someone to“come here.”^58 And
to beckon someone in Spain, you stretch your arm out, palm downward, and make a
scratching motion toward your body with your fingers.Frequency and Intensity of Gestures. There are also cultural differences that regulate the
frequency and intensity of gestures. Italians, Africans, and people from the Middle
East are more outwardly expressive and utilize gestures with greater frequency and
intensity than do Japanese, Chinese, and Scandinavians. Writing about Brazilian cul-
ture, Novinger notes,“Brazilians say that if you tie their hands they cannot speak.
They use hand gestures and broad arm gestures as they talk.”^59 The use of gestures
to promote meaning is also common among Arab men. Here you can see large ges-
tures that seem to go along with almost every word.^60 Members of many Asian cul-
tures perceive such outward activity quite differently, often equating vigorous action
with a lack of manners and personal restraint.^61 Germans are also made uncomfort-
able by bold hand gestures. Ruch offers the following advice to American executives
who work with German corporations:“Hands should be used with calculated dignity.
They should never serve as lively instruments to emphasize points in conversation.
The entire game plan is to appear calm under pressure.”^62 Germans are not alone in
their aversion to large and ostentatious gestures. Canadians and other people with
British lineage usually do not employ extensive gesturing.Facial Expressions
The early Greek playwrights, Beijing Opera performers, and the Noh actors of Japan
were keenly aware of the shifts in mood and meaning that facial expressions convey.
Each form of drama uses masks or an abundance of makeup to demonstrate differences
in each actor’s character and expression. Whether it is the Mexican adage that“One’s
face is the mirror of one’s soul”or the Yiddish proverb that“The face tells the secret,”
people everywhere have always been captivated by the face. What is intriguing is that
we are talking about three faces. First, there is your assigned face, the one you are
born with. Although it is altered by age, health, and even cosmetics and surgery,
this is your“basic”face. Second is the face that can be manipulated at will, often
called the voluntary face. Here is where you can deliberately hide or reveal your true
feeling regarding the person and/or situation you are confronting. You can signal your
happiness and put on a broad smile when your best friend is approaching. Alterna-
tively, you can hide your true feelings and smile when you dislike having to talk312 CHAPTER 9•Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Space, Time, and Silence
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