What are your hand gestures communicating to others? Whether you’re conveying a character as an actor or talking to someone at home, your hands are always busy.
How to interpret body language or any type of nonverbal communication has always been intriguing and sometimes controversial.

Interpretations can vary between countries and cultures, and it’s often disputed which body motions are considered universal. One nation could find an emblematic gesture to be a symbol of approval while another land could see the same gesture as a major insult.

Examples of Common Hand Gestures

You don’t need to know sign language, but it’s important to understand the differences and nuances associated with each hand gesture when traveling.

For example, say a common hand gesture such as a peace sign means one thing in Western cultures, but is considered to be an obscene gesture in Eastern cultures. In some cases, pointing the pinky fingers a certain way is considered an offensive gesture in Asian countries (it might as well be a middle finger). However, when you combine your pinky with a thumbs-up gesture, you’ll get Hawaii’s iconic “hang loose” gesture, which is a sign of respect.

That being said, various body-language experts over the years have shed light on commonly accepted connotations of certain hand gestures within our culture.

Allan Pease’s Crash Course in Hand Gesture Interpretations

In the clip below, Allan Pease, globally known as “Mr. Body Language,” reveals the power we hold in the palm of our hands as we seek to communicate with others, motivate them and win them over.

Pease demonstrates how much information can be exchanged in the common gesture of a handshake. This introductory form of human communication has the potential to influence your feelings about the other person–namely, how dominant, equal or subordinate you feel to them–right off the bat.

Pease also reveals how keeping your palms turned upward while giving instruction results in a more receptive response from others, whereas giving the same instruction with palms turned downward triggers a more resistant response from others (this is made worse when pointing).

How to Interpret Types of Gestures

After watching Pease’s TED Talk, you might find yourself paying closer attention to your hand motions as well as those of your friends, family members and colleagues. Use caution in your interpretations, as Pease says, “One gesture could mean perhaps a dozen different things.”

To avoid misunderstanding hand gestures, he suggests people look for clusters of hand gestures instead of relying on one. Using another common gesture as an example, a speaker touching their nose might suggest a lie is being told, but it could also indicate that the person has a cold or an itchy nose. However, if a speaker rubs their nose, then rubs their eye and then looks downward, this cluster of nonverbal behavior is more indicative of a lie.

Research suggests that body language accounts for a whopping 55% of the overall information transmitted during interpersonal interactions. Tone of voice is attributed to 38% of the message. Believe it or not, the literal words spoken account only for 7% of the message conveyed. 

That being said, the unspoken forms of nonverbal communication can amount to a treasure trove of knowledge for actors, and can also benefit a person’s personal and professional interactions overall.

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