R Review From Scalp to Soles 99
Arms
In the discussion of categories of gestures that follows this
section, you will see how much we use our arms as a means to
punctuate points made verbally, as well as to let other people know
what they should or should not be doing. We flail, point elbows, and
use them similar to how a conductor uses a baton. We move them
forward to shut people out and open them to let people in. Most of
the combination gestures I will explore later will involve face and
arms.
In any analysis of the meaning of limb movement, the first three
things to consider are height, culture, and build. In baselining someone
to read body language, these must be part of the picture or your
conclusions could be way off.
An older gentleman at the resort where I was staying recently
caught my eye as he gestured to the other people at his dinner
table. I couldn’t hear anything he said, but I concluded from the
way he raised his hands in the air that he was not American, Brit-
ish, or Germanic. He looked as though he could be Italian, but he
wasn’t close enough for me to be sure. To satisfy my curiosity, I
maneuvered closer to him the next day when I saw him near the
pool. From listening to the conversation, I understand that he was
from Argentina.
ƒ Man who gestures with hands low: British, Germanic
ƒ Man who gestures with hands high: Mediterranean,
Latin
Mediterranean and Latin people have a full-bodied approach to
conversation, with the hands moving at face level. Germanic people