Almost in every language you find people using hand and face gestures to express words, reactions and even feelings. They are essential culture components that allow you to emerge easily and make you feel like you are part of this community.
The following are most important hands and face gestures in Arabic communities.
Nope:
Lift your eyebrows or softly shake your head horizontally.
Yes:
Just nod and stress your head mostly toward your chest.
Hold on/ wait/ slowly:
Put your fingers together and shake it ups and downs.
Maybe/ not sure/ I am not sure:
Twist your head down and up with mouth squeezed.
Whatever/ I am not sure I care:
Lift your shoulders just once ups and downs.
Oh Lord:
Slam your face with your two palms open wide.
Oh god I forgot/ what an idiot I am:
slam your upper part of your head or your forehead.
Go away/ leave:
With your palm opened, shake it or twitch it to the outside against you.
Come along/ proceed/ come closer:
With your palm semi closed, shake it or twitch it to the inside toward your chest.
Why can’t you understand/ Mama-Mia:
Squeeze your fingers together, so the tips of your fingers are touching each other, then bring both hands toward your face and shake them ups and downs.
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