What are two-handed movements called? What does hands to the side mean?

Few realize the power they have in their hands. There are times when your own hands can save or literally betray, and all this happens without your conscious participation. Of course, if you don't know how hand language works.

A person who speaks the language of nonverbal communication has a lot of advantages over his counterpart, and is able to hear not only what the interlocutor is saying, but also understand what he is thinking about, or what he is not talking about. But let's talk about everything in order.

Today, many symbols shown by hands have international registration, and are equally understandable to New Zealand Maori and African Maasai. Why did this happen?

Why do soldiers put their hand to their head to greet someone, or to praise a person we raise our thumb up, and to insult someone we raise our middle finger? The answers to these questions came to us from the past. Let's look at the stories behind some of these gestures in more detail.

  1. Thumbs up. Shows that everything is fine and you are doing well. This movement came to us from antiquity. The Roman public, during gladiatorial fights, in this way signaled that for the diligence and diligence shown by the defeated slave during the battle, his life could be saved. A downturned thumb did not bode well for a loser warrior. Since those times, it has been the custom: the thumb points to the sky - you are on top, to the ground - you are a bit of a loser;
  2. The military greeting when addressing a superior or raising a flag, by raising an open palm to the head, was borrowed from medieval knights. In those ancient times, in order to show the purity of their thoughts, warriors, when meeting, raised their visors, thereby demonstrating the friendliness of their plans. Another version of the origin of this sign is associated with earlier periods of human history. In ancient times, subjects, in order to show that only the sun was higher than their ruler, when meeting the autocrat, covered their eyes with their hands, thereby demonstrating submission. Over time, the form of the gesture has changed slightly, but the content has remained unchanged. People in uniform show their respect and commitment to their superiors or state symbol by raising their hand to their head;
  3. An outstretched hand when meeting, or a handshake. The origin of this greeting is explained quite simply. In ancient times, an outstretched hand, without a weapon, symbolized your peaceful plans and respect;
  4. Raised middle finger. There are at least two explanations for the appearance of this obscene gesture. According to one version, the ancient Greeks showed this symbol to those with whom they would like to carry out actions, the meaning of which reflects what we mean by demonstrating this gesture today. Another option goes back to the beginning of the 15th century, when during the Franco-English Battle of Agincourt, French soldiers cut off the middle fingers of captured English archers so that they could not shoot at them in the future. Naturally, those of the English who could not be caught by the vile French showed them their middle fingers from a safe distance, thereby showing their disdain and courage. Why didn't the French just kill the prisoners? The question remains open;
  5. The so-called goat. A symbol that distinguishes true “metalheads” from the people around them. One version says that the sign originated among the ancient Vikings, and symbolized the Scandinavian rune, which protects its owner from the evil eye. According to another version, this is the “fingering” of Soviet prisoners who, in order not to go to work, simply cut their tendons, and the hand took this shape spontaneously. Today, this symbol of cool says that the person demonstrating it is a principled “legalist”, and he will not collect popcorn scattered in the cinema;
  6. The well-known American OK. There may be differences in this gesture depending on the part of the world you are in. For some nations, it symbolizes that your affairs are in perfect order, for others it means that you are “complete zero,” and for some it demonstrates problems with the large intestine. According to one of the most plausible versions, this sign was borrowed from the non-verbal language of the Native American inhabitants - Indians, who thus showed their fellow tribesmen that there were no problems.

Some hand gestures and their meaning

Each gesture has its own interesting and multifaceted history, however, it’s time to talk about their meaning and the practical use of this knowledge in everyday life.

Open palm

In most cultures, an open hand is associated with honesty. Therefore, if you want to make people believe that you are telling the truth, it is not recommended to present your arguments with your hands clenched into fists.

At such moments, it is better to open your palms to show that you are not hiding anything.

On the other hand, be alert when someone is telling you important things with their hands in their pockets or behind their back. Hidden palms do not make sentences more believable, even if they are true. With a high degree of probability, it can be argued that your interlocutor is lying or hiding some important information from you.

Palm up and down position

The way you use your hands when communicating with others can significantly affect how they perceive your words and you. Ask a simple question with your palms up, and people will think you're asking for a favor.

On the one hand, they will not be bothered by your request, but on the other hand, they will not feel threatened or pressured by you. If you ask this question with your palms facing down, it will more likely resemble a requirement that must be fulfilled.

It can not only set the tone for any business or political meeting, but also influence its results. When two equal interlocutors shake hands, their palms remain vertical.

But if one person's palm is facing upward when shaking hands, this can be perceived as a symbolic surrender, and signify the superiority of the other person.

When talking, your interlocutor holds his hands behind his back and makes meaningless movements with them - he is not interested in you, you should stop the meaningless conversation, or move on to another topic.

What is the meaning of finger gestures

No less revelations can be gleaned from the position of the fingers on our hands. Let's give a few examples.

There is a fine line between a hand gesture and a finger gesture, but we will talk about those cases in which the movement of the fingers is an independent signal.

Some finger gestures are unintentional, and by their position you can unmistakably read what emotional state a person is in, or his attitude towards the topic of conversation.

  • finger on mouth - they are lying to you;
  • during a conversation, the index finger involuntarily points towards the other person - a clear sign of dominance;
  • index finger up - you should be wary of such a person, since the gesture is often used by parents in relation to a careless child;
  • fingers are straight and pressed tightly together - the person has made a firm decision to achieve his goal and does not care about sentiment;
  • fingers squeeze the wrist or palm of the other hand - the interlocutor is furious, trying to restrain his emotions;
  • fingers clenched into a fist from time to time - a clear sign of a hidden threat.

What about the deaf and dumb?

Many gestures unconsciously used in communication are reflected in the alphabet for the deaf and dumb.

Sign languages ​​of the deaf are independent languages ​​that consist of combinations of movements of the hands and fingers in combination with facial expressions, position of the mouth, lips and body.

It is a mistake to believe that sign languages ​​for the deaf were invented by hearing people to convey information to those who cannot hear. In fact, these languages ​​develop completely independently.

Moreover, in one country there may be several sign languages ​​that do not grammatically coincide with the verbal languages ​​of that country.

As practice shows, in the absence of the opportunity to use sound language as a means of communication, people instinctively begin to use gestures for this. The main means of communication for this are the hands and fingers.

At the same time, deaf people have many gestures, the meaning of which can be understood by an unprepared person. For example, the word “peace” in the language of the deaf and dumb will look like hands squeezing each other, located in front of the chest, “love” is a palm raised to the lips in the form of an air kiss, and “house” is palms folded in a triangle in the form of a gable roof.

Youth hand gestures and their meaning

Our children also use sign language for their communication, and the variety of these non-verbal signs is constantly enriched by the emergence of new ones. Let's give a few examples of such youth gestures, with the help of which teenagers can easily understand each other, while older people, and even middle-aged people, will remain in the dark.

Time and scientific and technological progress dictate their conditions, and this fully applies to our gestures.

Just recently, a hand folded in the shape of an English L did not mean anything, but today it is a loser, a sign signaling that you are a loser.

An extended middle finger pointing to the side can mean that you are being sent, but at the same time it can be interpreted as an invitation to sex.

With your fingers shaped like a heart, it’s simple: “I love you.” But a “horned goat” with its thumb pointed to the side means simple sympathy.

An English V performed by a teenager with the back of his hand turned towards you can mean two Colas, or serve as the equivalent of the middle finger in the UK. And such a familiar sign as OK, but inverted, and shown at waist level or below, is an open invitation to sex.

Thanks to the specific versatility of using hand language and a few widely spoken English words, you can communicate with a foreigner you meet by chance on a busy street. Of course, you won’t be able to conclude a contract with him for the supply of gas equipment, but you can easily explain how to get to the nearest metro station or stadium.

Differences in the interpretation of habitual gestures in different countries

Don't rush to use your extensive knowledge of sign language when you find yourself abroad. Some common symbols may have opposite meanings in different parts of the world. And again let's look at the examples.

  1. If you are in France, then OK, which is common throughout the world, turns into a big, fat zero. And in Turkey, with such a gesture you will signal that your interlocutor is gay - not a very pleasant statement in a country where the majority of people are Muslims;
  2. Raising your thumb and extending your index finger means a loser in the sign language of teenagers, and in China this symbol represents the number eight;
  3. A thumbs up in Europe and America says: “Everything is cool,” and in Iran, Afghanistan and Greece this obscene gesture will be read: “I..., you..., and all your relatives...”, well, you get the idea;
  4. The crossed index and middle fingers protect Europeans from the evil eye, and in Vietnam this figure represents the female genital organ;
  5. A finger extended forward stops all over the world and seems to say: “Wait,” and in Greece it literally translates as “Eat shit.”

If, as the proverb states, silence is golden, then continuing the association, in some countries, the absence of gestures is a diamond.

The gestures and their interpretation that you have become familiar with are not limited to the examples given. The purpose of our article is to popularize, interest and guide. Perhaps our theses will help solve small life problems. Or maybe not small.

There is some more information about the most popular gestures in the following video.

To move well at a disco, it is enough to have a sense of rhythm. Add to this the dance movements with your hands and now you are already rocking to an unfamiliar tune, in an interesting company. To make all this a reality, it’s enough to spend half an hour and rehearse a couple of “tricks” in front of the mirror.

Waves with your hands

Waving remains timeless and out of fashion; it is the ability to imitate wave movements with your hands. We start with the right hand. Bend your elbow and bring your palm out in front of you, so that your palm is parallel to the floor and you are looking at it slightly from top to bottom. The elbow and shoulder are relaxed, the tension is only in the fingers. Now try to repeat the movement of the wave, smoothly raising your palm up and describing an arc, lowering it down. Focus on the palm of your hand, fingers, forearm, elbow and shoulder are in a relaxed state and move inertly behind your hand. Start with a large amplitude and gradually reduce it to learn how to make a wave quickly. It will take 10 minutes to master this movement. Do a wave with both hands at the same time, pointing your palms towards each other, and when they cross, send the crossed wave upward, this is a full dance move that looks good even without connecting your legs.

Cross - criss-cross

You can keep your hands occupied while dancing by performing criss-cross movements. Extend your left hand, clenched into a fist, in front of you, but not straight, but slightly at an angle, so that the hand goes slightly to the right. Now extend your right hand, clenched into a fist, to form the letter X. To make this movement work, you need to add a little dynamics. For example, crossing your right hand with your left, return it several times to the starting position (to the beat of the music), then raise your crossed arms above your head and open the cross, lowering and pulling your hands to your waist with clenched fists, as is done in karate. Or you can open your arms and lower them through the sides, describing an arc, performing tacting movements with your legs.

Women's dance movements with hands

Girls will probably want more smooth dance movements with their hands, we also have some recommendations for them.

Yula

The movement is performed when there is enough space around, as it involves rotation. Raise your arms above your head, keeping your elbows “soft,” which means they can be slightly bent so that your arm is relaxed and supple. The palm is gathered into a weak fist with the index fingers extended and pointing upward. At the same time, the left and right wrists begin to rotate from right to left in a small radius. After the second circle, the amplitude increases, and the forearm begins to rotate following the wrist, after 2 turns, both arms rotating in the same direction, describe a circle above the head. This movement requires practice and self-confidence. It is ideal for bridges or slow compositions when foot movements are constrained by a slow rhythm.

The simplest and most popular movement that girls love to do to any music is stroking. A straightened palm is placed, for example, on the neck and drawn down, through the center of the chest and from the solar plexus to the side, leaving the arm bent at the elbow on the waist. In this performance, the movement will be called “look at my chest”, if you do the same with both hands from the waist, rising along the sides to the chest, from there to the neck, change direction there, slightly return to the sides, go to the back and finish the movement with your hands on butt, then it will turn out to be “look at my figure.” Such options are quite frank, and it is better to use them either in an all-female company, or for a personal dance for your man. If you run your hands only along the neck and play with the hair, then you get the “look at my hair” movement, which can be performed at any disco, with any movements of the legs. By the way, “look at my hair” is included in the feminine style of many social dances, for example, salsa and bachata.

In the process of direct communication with each other, people use not only words, but also nonverbal signals. Hand gestures, facial expressions, body position in space - all this can tell about the interlocutor no less than he is ready to tell himself. We propose to analyze the meaning of gestures in communication between people and their interpretation from the point of view of specialists in the field of psychology.

What does a handshake tell you?

Shaking hands is a non-verbal gesture that is used as a greeting in many cultures. Often it also indicates the end of communication or the achievement of an agreement. This gesture is characteristic mostly of men, although business etiquette allows ladies to resort to it at the beginning and end of negotiations if representatives of the opposite sex are involved. In this case, the woman is always the first to extend her hand.

This gesture itself can tell a lot about the interlocutor. A strong-willed, open person greets with a strong handshake, squeezing the interlocutor’s hand quite tightly. People who are not very confident show a sluggish gesture, in which the hand is relaxed and the hand is located below. Such a handshake characterizes a person without initiative, lazy, and not inclined to make independent decisions. Touching the interlocutor's hand, accompanied by slight squeezing, can also indicate the person's delicacy and his ability to keep his distance. If you say hello briefly, the interlocutor puts his hands behind his back or puts them in his pockets, thus demonstrating superiority.

Open people extend their hand to their “vis-a-vis”, bending it at the elbow and wrist only slightly. Secretive or deceitful people, on the contrary, try to keep the limb bent. Their forearm remains pressed to the body, while the hand is directed almost vertically. If, when shaking hands, such a person tries to press the interlocutor’s hand down, this characterizes him as cruel and rather domineering. Independent individuals try to maintain maximum distance, practically without bending their hand when shaking hands.

Scratching

Any small and fussy hand gestures betray excitement, uncertainty or a desire to hide the truth. If the speaker scratches the side of his neck, this may mean that he is voicing a thought that he is not entirely sure of. Such a gesture on the part of the listener speaks of his distrust or desire to understand what was said more deeply.

By touching the earlobe, scratching and rubbing it during a conversation, a person expresses his desire to speak. He delicately waits for the right moment when he can join the conversation, but at the same time he expresses impatience in every possible way, sometimes even raising his hand, like a schoolboy in class.

Arms crossed on chest

It is generally accepted that crossed arms and legs are a kind of energetic protection that people resort to in various life situations. There are many gestures with which a person closes himself off from his interlocutor or the world around him. We propose to consider the most common of them.

  1. The first pose is crossing your arms in front of your chest. The forearms are connected together, while the hands can clasp the shoulders or be pressed against the body. People often take this position in unfamiliar places where they do not feel completely safe.
  2. The position in which the interlocutor crosses his arms over his chest indicates a negative attitude towards what is happening and may mean a reluctance to discuss a topic. Sometimes distrust of what a person hears causes a person to cross their arms over their chest. People who want to hide information resort to a similar gesture. The body position, when arms crossed on the chest are combined with palms clenched into fists, should be considered a state of defense, extreme tension. Reddened cheeks and constricted pupils indicate a readiness to fight back.
  3. Public figures rarely openly display gestures that could betray their nervousness or desire to hide something. Meanwhile, they also tend to use similar energy protection. It is not difficult to distinguish camouflaged crossings. Ladies usually touch their wrist, turn the bracelet on their hand, and fiddle with the clasp on their watch. A man can adjust cufflinks or cuffs. A gesture in which a person holds an object at chest level with both hands looks similar. This could be a book or a folder with papers pressed to your chest, a bouquet of flowers, a glass of wine.

Fingers clasped

With your fingers clasped, your hands can lie in front of you or on your knees, or fall along the body if this is a standing position. Behind such a gesture lies disappointment and hidden hostility if a person sits with his hands in front of him or bringing them closer to his face. At the same time, the higher the hands are raised, the stronger the negative feelings. Sometimes such a gesture is perceived as attention to the interlocutor, because the person sitting opposite may smile and even nod. But this is a mistaken impression; with feigned facial expressions, the interlocutor is only trying to hide a negative attitude towards what is happening.

What does the hands behind your back gesture mean?

The position of the body, when a person's arms are pulled back and closed behind the back, is associated with a demonstration of superiority. An even posture, an expanded chest and straightened shoulders indicate that the individual is quite happy with his position and is confident in himself. Such a gesture can also be considered as a high degree of trust in the interlocutor. Most likely, the person feels quite comfortable and does not feel any threat. This gesture is characterized by placing the palms on top of each other.

If a person puts his hands behind his back, clasping his wrist or forearm with one hand, this means that he is excited and trying to control himself. Moreover, the higher the grip, the stronger the emotions the individual experiences and the more difficult it is to restrain them. Hands placed behind the back can be combined with other gestures, such as scratching the back of the head. This indicates self-doubt and a feeling of awkwardness. In this case, by hiding his hands from the interlocutor, the person is trying to hide the state of stress, concern or excitement.

Hands in pockets

Many of us, as children, have heard our parents remark: “Take your hands out of your pockets, it’s not decent.” Indeed, a person who hides his brushes deeper during a conversation can hardly be called well-mannered. But often such a gesture betrays a desire to hide something. Most likely, the interlocutor is not telling much, is outright lying, or his reaction to the conversation does not correspond to what is being demonstrated.

A similar reaction is also observed in shy people who simply do not know where to put their hands during a conversation and are afraid that unnecessary gestures will reveal their nervousness. It is not difficult to understand this, since such a person behaves constrained, speaks little and reluctantly, keeps his shoulders down and his gaze turned downward.

If, when communicating, the interlocutor squeezes clenched fists into his pockets, it means that he is overwhelmed by anger and rage. The gesture means that it is difficult for a person to control negative emotions. He has exhausted all verbal arguments and is ready to move on to physical violence. Usually the threat is reflected in facial expressions: eyes narrow, cheekbones tense, teeth clenched.

Hand gestures with thumb emphasis

If the thumbs stick out upward, such a gesture indicates a desire to dominate. With such a non-verbal signal, the man lets the lady know that he is interested in her. He demonstrates his superiority and social status by placing his palms in his trouser pockets or behind his belt. The thumbs unambiguously indicate the direction where the object of male pride and dignity is actually located. Such a gesture can be regarded as a desire to please, conquer and conquer.

Without considering the gesture in a sexual context, we can say that hands in pockets and thumbs outside are a demonstration of power and superiority. Another dominance gesture is as follows: arms crossed over the chest and thumbs pointing up. Power and a sense of superiority simply overwhelm the individual if he takes such a pose.

When a person tightly clasps his shoulders with his hands, raises his thumbs, lifts his chin and looks into the face of his interlocutor, this indicates that he is confident in his own rightness and does not want to hear objections. Interestingly, these dominance gestures involving the thumbs are used by both men and women.

Demonstration of open palms

Open palms are associated with honesty of intentions. According to research, businessmen who do not use open-palm gestures are less likely to succeed. People trust less those who keep their hands clasped in front of them, believing that they are not completely honest and are trying to hide something.

A person asking for something is more likely to achieve his goal if he accompanies his words with a gesture with his palms turned up. This gesture is more inviting because it does not pose a threat. If the interlocutor sees the back of the hand, then the request will be perceived as an instruction and may cause an antagonistic attitude.

What do hands pressed to the chest mean?

When a person declares his love or expresses sympathy, he puts his hand to his chest, as if saying that his words come from the heart. Often those who want to convince their interlocutor of the absence of malicious intent resort to a similar technique. Behind this gesture lies a desire to show the sincerity of feelings, but this does not always correspond to the actual intentions of the speaker.

By putting his fingers together, with his palms apart, the speaker wants to show his confidence and awareness of the issue. Perhaps he wants to emphasize significant points in his speech or wants to convince his interlocutor that he is right. If the speaker's head is slightly tilted back, this can be interpreted as a feeling of superiority.

This gesture has two options; when your fingertips point up or down. The first is usually used by people who want to express their thoughts, and the second by those who are listening. In the latter case, the gesture is regarded as negative and means that the interlocutor has his own opinion about what was said. It is no longer possible to convince him, since, as in the first case, this position of the hands indicates confidence in his decision.

Hands spread out, palms up

A gesture when a person, when communicating, shows his palms facing the interlocutor or a group of people, he seems to be saying: “I’ll be frank with you.” This is a non-verbal signal that encourages openness. It should be noted that such a technique is often used by unscrupulous people who want to instill trust in themselves. Therefore, such nonverbal gestures must be interpreted taking into account facial expressions and behavior. If the interlocutor has nothing to hide, he behaves naturally, his face is relaxed, his eyebrows are raised, and his hands are spread wide.

Putting your hands behind your head

The habit of throwing their hands behind their heads is characteristic of self-confident people who love to show their superiority. This gesture irritates many on a subconscious level, since it immediately reveals the interlocutor as a snob. Placing your hands behind your head during a conversation is a gesture that demonstrates confidence and superiority. If at the same time a person sits in a relaxed position, crossing his legs, then this is an amateur. As a rule, such a gesture is used when communicating with subordinates or equal in status.

The origin of this position is unknown, but psychologists are sure that in this way a person seems to sink into an imaginary chair, relaxing with his whole body. This manner of sitting does not always have a negative meaning. Often a person, tired from work or sitting for a long time, puts his hands on the back of his head, stretching his whole body. With such a gesture, he demonstrates that he feels quite comfortable in your company.

Most people touch their face during a conversation. Such gestures might look like:

  • stroking the chin,
  • rubbing the bridge of the nose or eyelid,
  • touching the mouth with a hand or various objects,
  • fingers touching temples,
  • propping your cheek with your palm.

Most often, behind such movements lies a desire to conceal the truth or, on the contrary, distrust of the speaker. It is best to consider such gestures in combination with a person’s facial expressions, since the same touch can have different meanings.

For example:

  1. A gesture like stroking the chin talks about making a decision. If the interlocutor uses his thumb, he is confident that he is in complete control of the situation. Nervous rubbing of the lower part of the face with the palm of the hand indicates that the person is not too happy with the proposed option, but an alternative has not yet been found.
  2. Touching the lower lip demonstrates interest in the conversation or interlocutor. In this case, a person can run along the line of the mouth with one finger and actively rub this area. The most spontaneous listeners even pull back or curl their lower lip. Ladies, in order to attract men's attention to themselves, can run over their lips not only with their hand, but also with the tip of their tongue.
  3. Many children use it on a subconscious level. Eg, fingers in mouth- a gesture that looks quite cute and means that the child feels the need for approval and support from others. However, adults sometimes make similar movements. In their case, such gestures carry the same semantic meaning as in children.
  4. Some gestures that express emotions and feelings involve the use of various objects. For example, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the interlocutor brings the pen to his mouth. If the interlocutor is telling something, it may be a lie. If he listens to you, then with this gesture he expresses distrust. However, such actions may have another reason. Some people chew on a pencil or pen while thinking about a problem.
  5. A fairly common posture during a conversation when hand supports cheek or chin. These gestures look approximately the same, but are interpreted differently. If the interlocutor listens attentively, resting his chin on his hand, most likely it is more convenient for him to comprehend what he heard. But when the listener relaxes with his hand on his cheek and his gaze is distracted, most likely he is bored and is looking forward to the end of the conversation.
  6. An expression of disbelief in what has been said looks like twisting the earlobe, frequently touching the eyes or corners of the lips. This is also indicated by the index finger with which the listener props his cheek. By raising the index finger to the temple, a person demonstrates a critical attitude. Perhaps he feels distrust, or is not satisfied with the arguments given, analyzes what he hears, suspecting a catch.
  7. Gestures like rubbing the neck or ear they talk about an unwillingness to listen anymore or that the topic is not very pleasant to the interlocutor. In the latter case, the person often takes a closed posture, crossing his legs or arms. He may also clasp his hands, shutting himself out from communication, or stand up abruptly, thereby demonstrating that the conversation is completed.

What gestures indicate deception?

When a person is telling a lie, you can tell by his gestures and facial expressions. Of course, it is unlikely that anyone will become very nervous, embellishing events a little. But if we are talking about a major deception or a desire to hide a serious misconduct, then answering direct questions, a person is unlikely to be able to hide all emotions.

A liar can be betrayed by shaking hands, a desire to immediately take a sip of water, or hastily lighting a cigarette. To hide a lie, the interlocutor will look away or, on the contrary, look intently into your eyes, demonstrating that he is honest with you.

A person who is telling a lie begins to blink frequently and make unnecessary movements, such as rearranging papers. It is believed that rubbing the nose also indicates insincerity, especially if a person performs this action several times in a row. If the speaker's mouth is covered with his hand, there is also a high probability that he is lying. It is worth paying attention to such a gesture as rubbing the eyelid. Often he also tells lies, although perhaps the interlocutor himself does not trust you too much. The desire to close your mouth, as well as touching your lips with your fingers, are gestures that mean deception.

Conclusion

It is worth remembering that in non-verbal communication every gesture has meaning, since it is perceived by the interlocutor, often on a subconscious level. Perhaps you just like to keep your hands in your pockets or sit comfortably with your hands clasped. However, interlocutors or business partners will draw their own conclusions from this.

Dab, dabbing (dab, dabbing)- a dance movement when a person hides his face in a bent elbow and raises his other hand. Deb came from American hip-hop culture. The gesture was popularized by athletes, and in Russia it gained popularity largely thanks to video bloggers. Used to emphasize one's coolness and celebrate success.

Origin

Deb appeared in the American city of Atlanta in 2015. The hip-hop group Migos calls itself the authors of the unusual dance; thanks to their videos, they significantly popularized the dab.

At first, the dab was distributed among hip-hop fans and rap artists in the United States. Then the athletes took the initiative. The first dab after the touchdown in September 2015 was portrayed by Jeremy Hill. Then his colleague Cam Newton began to repeat the gesture regularly.

Deb was picked up by stars and ordinary social media users, making the dance a new trend. Even Hillary Clinton repeated it.

Deb in Russia

The popularity of dab in Russia began to increase in 2016. In many ways, its promotion was facilitated by a wave of enthusiasm for rap and hip-hop. The dab also spread thanks to top video bloggers. For example, this gesture was depicted by Ivangay during his tricks with a bottle.

A parody of this video was shown in 2017 by Sergei Druzhko and, together with the deb gesture, he issued the phrase, which became a new meme.

Druzhko tried to repeat the success. However, in his performance the dab looked more like a Lezginka.

Meaning

In rap culture, there are several explanations for the meaning of the dab. Some say that the dance imitates the movements of a person who sneezes and tries to cover himself with his elbow. According to others, this gesture alludes to the process of snorting cocaine.

In any case, in the end the dance took on a completely different meaning. Because athletes would dab after scoring a goal or scoring points, the dab came to signify victory and success. A person depicts this gesture when he wants to show that he is great at something, has achieved success, and was able to do something important for himself.

The dab movement is a newfangled dance gesture that is not associated (at least in post-Soviet territory) with any traditions or rituals. Perhaps through this trick, the meaning of which at first was only guesswork:

  • Rugby players “feign joy” after each successfully thrown ball;
  • artists, such as rappers, use the dab hand movement to add variety to their performances;
  • people united by some common idea convey the news of their successes to the general public.

Dabbing is just a fashion statement

The fashionable gesture, the meaning of which has puzzled rugby fans for so long, is quite simple to perform: with their heads bent over their arm bent at the elbow, rugby players (and rugby players) freeze in this position for a few short moments.

A gesture vaguely reminiscent of the dab movement was seen in the "fearsome dance" New Zealand rugby players invariably demonstrate to the opposing team before the start of each match. The athletes from New Zealand, as it turned out, “borrowed” this spectacle “not for the faint of heart” from their distant ancestors, who called themselves the Maori people.


Some witty fans have already given the dab a fitting name - the "stupid bow", with most fans agreeing that if only one rugby player had made the stupid gesture, no one would have noticed it.

As it turned out later, the dab movement is nothing more than a newfangled hit the dab dance step, borrowed by US youth from African dancers. It also became known that white-skinned “dancers” make African Americans extremely nervous. According to media reports, black Americans are not happy that a movement that is part of their national culture has “gone to the masses.”


The dissatisfaction of the African-American population is further aggravated by the fact that most “palefaces” do dab incorrectly.

“Parents” of dabbing. Who are they?

When asked what the dab movement means, representatives of the older generation - regulars at discos in the 1970s and 1980s - answer that dab has nothing to do with attempts to offend someone or incite ethnic hatred. The movement really came from African Americans of yesteryear, who, after sniffing the “happy” powder, sneezed, involuntarily leaning to the side and taking such a fashionable position today.

According to another version, dab is a body movement from hip-hop dance, which until today has not been particularly popular. To perform it correctly, you need to lower your head down and bend your right arm, clench the palm of the same hand into a fist and bring it to your head, while your left arm remains straight and slightly extended to the left. The whole composition looks like a dynamic dance movement.

The reason for the interest of the Russian media in this strange and not everyone understood dance step was... a conflict that flared up between two popular Russian rap performers and their fans. The "Tiger" video, released by L"One, is driving Jacques-Anthony's followers crazy, not at all because of the traditional "who is better" debate, but because of the notorious gesture, or rather, because of which Russian rapper was the first to use the dab movement in his work (in this case, Jacques-Anthony claims authorship).

The founders of American dabbing are considered to be members of the group Migos. In any case, they were the first to show dab: first at concerts, and later in video clips.

What does dab movement mean?


To teach everyone how to perform this movement correctly, black rappers took the time to create numerous video lessons. According to black performers, it is necessary to bury your nose in the inner part of the elbow of your bent arm and make a characteristic “sneeze” (the other arm is extended upward).

What is the meaning of this body movement that makes crowds of fans tear out their hair and clothes? Dab is a common dance gesture based on the habit of sniffing white powder from the elbow.

A funny incident happened in London

A group of young people gathered on the steps of the British Museum for a flash mob, during which everyone planned to perform the dab movement. A man who happened to be nearby also decided to take part. He raised his hand, but, misinterpreting the purpose of such a large meeting, instead of “debating”, he reproduced the SS salute.

Hand gestures and their meaning

Psychologists say that gestures can say even more about a person’s emotions than his words, because we most often make body movements unconsciously, automatically, obeying internal sensations, and we cannot always control them. Therefore, it is useful to know what gestures mean, for example, hands, in order to understand how sincere your interlocutor is, open, calm or excited, etc.

What do hand and palm gestures mean?

Human hands are almost always visible. And they always pay a lot of attention to them in a communication situation. If your opponent is overwhelmed by strong emotions, then his palms and hands are unlikely to be at rest; most likely, he will twirl something in his hands, stroke something, touch things, his clothes, hair, etc. It is important to know what hand gestures say in order to correctly interpret the behavior of your interlocutor, focusing not only on words.

The very first gesture that can say a lot about a person is a greeting handshake. If he has a domineering nature, he will extend his hand first, turning it palm down. Wanting to show special respect and even servility, people extend their hand, facing downwards. A compliant, non-conflicting and somewhat shy opponent will most likely give you his hand with his edge up. An insecure, weak-willed person will have a tense and straight hand and a weak handshake.

Other hand gestures and their meaning:

  • a person often spreads his arms to the sides and shows his palms - he is sincere and open to communication;
  • crossed arms and palms, on the contrary, indicate wariness and not readiness for contact;
  • palms folded on top of each other indicate the opponent’s inflated conceit;
  • hands in pockets, especially if a person is sitting, is a sign of aggression and irritability;
  • the hands are in motion, the person constantly strokes his hair with his palms, touches his face, etc. – he is trying to lie;
  • a person covers his mouth with his hand - he does not agree with you, but does not dare to object;
  • straight palms pressed to each other are a sign of a purposeful and tough person;
  • palms lie on the edge of the table - your opponent expects to receive support from you;
  • half-bent hands - the interlocutor does not want conflict, is ready for any compromises in communication;
  • one hand holds the wrist with the other - the person is not sure of his actions and words, but is trying to pull himself together.

The most common finger gestures and their meaning

There are so-called international gestures that are well understood by people from different countries of the world. And they are often used to overcome the language barrier. However, you should still be careful when using some finger gestures that are familiar to Europeans, for example, in Muslim and some other countries. After all, here they can be interpreted as indecent.

So the well-known “OK” sign - the thumb and index finger folded in a ring - is usually an expression of approval. But in Brazil and Arab countries it means a hint of intimate relationships and is considered offensive. In Japan, this gesture should be understood as the question “How much does it cost?”



Meaning of other finger gestures:

  • fingers clasped in a “lock” - an expression of silent disagreement with your words, even if the person smiles at the same time, be sure that he will reject your proposal;
  • fingers clenched into a fist is a sign of pent-up aggression; your opponent is most likely about to explode;
  • joined fingertips forming a hut is a sign of the interlocutor’s self-confidence, he feels a sense of superiority, and your words make him smile condescendingly.

What do widely spread arms mean?

What are the options?

Lanusya

If a person is lying down, maybe he is resting. It's usually good to lie in the grass this way. If a person with his arms outstretched on the floor is breathing intermittently and convulsing, he most likely feels unwell and needs to call an ambulance. If a person spreads his arms to the sides in response to your question, he apparently does not know what to answer you. And if he runs towards you and spreads his arms wide, run into his arms! Well, if this is regarded as body language, then the interlocutor is favorable towards you and has nothing to hide from you.

Jarptica

Wide arms are not a very popular gesture these days. Now people are trying to restrain their emotions and are more cold. People remember what this gesture means:

  1. Exercise (exercise).
  2. Hello (greeting).
  3. Embrace.
  4. A lack of money.
  5. Size (for example, fish caught).
  6. Balance (gymnast in the circus).

There can be many options. Here are a few of them:

  1. Arms spread wide to the sides, with straight shoulders and arms raised up, a smile and grace on the face - the person is happy, he wants to embrace the whole world, perhaps for the first time he has found himself in some very beautiful place and at the same time feels a feeling of delight.
  2. Arms spread wide apart, with tension throughout the body - the person has woken up and is stretching.
  3. Arms spread wide apart when meeting someone is a gesture of greeting, the joy of meeting and the desire to hug.
  4. Arms spread wide to the sides, but at the same time shoulders raised, head to one side, a crooked smile - a gesture of bewilderment.

But the figure of the Vitruvian Man with his arms spread wide, inscribed in a circle and square, which Leonardo da Vinci painted in the 15th century, is a symbol of the proportions of the human body. For example, the distance between widely spread arms is equal to a person’s height.

Hunter nickname

Most often, arms spread wide can mean a willingness to hug a person whom they have seen and are incredibly happy about. Sometimes this gesture can mean surprise. If you find out whether a person is telling you the truth, then this gesture speaks of his sincerity.

But it’s still worth looking at the situation and the person’s facial expressions in order to more accurately determine what this gesture means in a particular case.

Strymbrym

As a rule, arms spread wide apart is a gesture of helplessness, meaning the person does not know what and how he can help you. Other times, it's a willingness to hug and greet you. There are also special gestures, for example by installers, where such a gesture means that the action is completed.

Metamorph

Gesture arms spread wide, Can mean Welcome. And can express bewilderment. Or maybe just joy. Here, a lot depends on the specific circumstances under which this all happens, and the width of the arms apart.

Kudryavtsev Vladimir Semenovich

The gesture is quite common and can be seen when a fisherman shows what kind of fish he caught once.

Then an attempt to catch someone or a gesture indicating that we want to hug someone.

Another gesture means some kind of confusion or problem. Or he measures the wall so that he can then measure his arm span with a meter. And does this gesture mean stop - stop.

Victor

Widely spread arms mean a person is open and hospitable. This means that he is glad to see you and wants to hug you :) Also, if a person spreads his hands, this may mean that he cannot help you in any way in this situation, just throw up his hands. Or, on the contrary, he spreads the clouds above your head with his hands.

red cloud

There are many variations on this theme, starting from the desire to hug a person moving towards a meeting and ending with “fishing things”, that is, a person with his arms spread shows what a huge fish he has caught.

Even separated hands can mean bewilderment, or lack of knowledge of something.

Kacevalova

My options would be:

  • a person prepares to hug a child/animal/person/pillow
  • does exercises/exercises
  • catches something: a wedding bouquet, keys, money, and so on
  • resting lying on the bed
  • carries something large and/or heavy.

Body language or meaning of gestures...

Quote from Alicia_Gadovskaya's message Read in full In your quotation book or community!
Gestures. The meaning of gestures. Language of the body.

Gestures (their meaning)

Knowledge of body language (the meaning of various gestures, facial expressions, etc.) is mandatory in the West for managers, starting from middle management. This article gives the meaning of only a very few gestures out of all their diversity.

Gestures of openness. Among them, the following can be distinguished: Open hands with palms up / a gesture associated with sincerity and openness /, a shrug accompanied by a gesture of open hands / indicates openness of nature/, unbuttoning a jacket / people who are open and friendly towards you often unbutton their jacket during a conversation and even remove it in your presence/. For example, when children are proud of their achievements, they openly show their hands, and when they feel guilty or wary, they hide their hands either in their pockets or behind their backs. Experts also noticed that during successful negotiations, their participants unbutton their jackets, straighten their legs, and move to the edge of the chair close to the table, which separates them from the interlocutor.

Gestures of protection /defensive/. They respond to possible threats and conflict situations. When we see that the interlocutor has his arms crossed on his chest, we should reconsider what we are doing or saying, because he begins to move away from the discussion. Hands clenched into fists also mean a defensive reaction from the speaker.

Gestures of appreciation . They express thoughtfulness and dreaminess. For example, the “hand on cheek” gesture - people resting their cheek on their hand are usually immersed in deep thought. A gesture of critical assessment - the chin rests on the palm. the index finger is extended along the cheek, the remaining fingers are below the mouth / “wait and see” position/. A person sits on the edge of a chair, elbows on hips, arms hanging freely / “this is wonderful!” position. A bowed head is a gesture of attentive listening. So, if the majority of listeners in the audience do not have their heads bowed, it means that the group as a whole is not interested in the material that the teacher is presenting. Scratching the chin / "okay, let's think about it" gesture / is used when a person is busy making a decision. Gestures about glasses / wipes glasses, puts the frame of glasses in the mouth, etc./ - this is a pause for reflection. reflecting on one's situation before more vigorously resisting, asking for clarification or raising a question.

pacing . - a gesture indicating an attempt to solve a complex problem or make a difficult decision. Pinching the bridge of the nose is a gesture, usually combined with closed eyes, and indicates deep concentration of intense thought.

Gestures of boredom . They are expressed by tapping your foot on the floor or clicking the cap of a pen. Head in the palm of your hand. Automatic drawing on paper. Empty look / “I look at you, but I don’t listen” /.

Gestures of courtship, "preening" . For women, they look like smoothing their hair, straightening their hair, clothes, looking at themselves in the mirror and turning in front of it; swaying your hips, slowly crossing and spreading your legs in front of a man, stroking yourself on your calves, knees, thighs; balancing shoes on the tips of the fingers / “in your presence I feel comfortable” /, for men - adjusting a tie, cufflinks, jacket, straightening the whole body, moving the chin up and down, etc.

Gestures of suspicion and secrecy . The hand covers the mouth - the interlocutor carefully hides his position on the issue under discussion. Looking to the side is an indicator of secrecy. The legs or the whole body are facing the exit - a sure sign that the person wants to end the conversation or meeting. Touching or rubbing the nose with the index finger is a sign of doubt / other varieties of this gesture are rubbing the index finger behind the ear or in front of the ear, rubbing the eyes /

Gestures of dominance and submission. Superiority can be expressed in a welcoming handshake. When a person shakes your hand firmly and turns it so that his palm rests on top of yours, he is trying to express something like physical superiority. And, conversely, when he extends his hand with his palm up, it means he is ready to accept a subordinate role. When the interlocutor’s hand is casually tucked into his jacket pocket during a conversation, and his thumb is outside, this expresses the person’s confidence in his superiority.

Gestures of readiness . Hands on hips are the first sign of readiness (this can often be observed in athletes waiting for their turn to perform). A variation of this pose in a sitting position - a person sits on the edge of a chair, the elbow of one hand and the palm of the other resting on the knees / this is how they sit immediately before concluding an agreement or. on the contrary, before getting up and leaving/.

Reinsurance gestures . Different finger movements reflect different sensations: uncertainty, internal conflict, fears. In this case, the child sucks his finger, the teenager bites his nails, and the adult often replaces his finger with a fountain pen or pencil and bites them. Other gestures of this group are interlocking fingers, with the thumbs rubbing each other; pinching of the skin; touching the back of a chair before sitting down in a gathering of other people.

For women, a typical gesture of instilling inner confidence is a slow and graceful raising of the hand to the neck.

Gestures of frustration. They are characterized by short, intermittent breathing, often accompanied by unclear sounds such as moaning, mooing, etc. Anyone who does not notice the moment when his opponent begins to breathe rapidly and continues to prove his point may run into trouble; tightly intertwined, tense hands - a gesture of distrust and suspicion / one who tries, by clasping his hands, to assure others of his sincerity, usually fails /, hands tightly clasping one another - this means the person is in a “trouble”, for example, must answer a question , containing a serious accusation against him / stroking the neck with the palm / in many cases when a person is defending himself / - women usually adjust their hair in these situations.

Gestures of trust . The fingers are connected like the dome of a temple / "dome" gesture/, which means trust and some self-satisfaction, selfishness or pride / a very common gesture in boss-subordinate relationships/.

Gestures of authoritarianism. The hands are connected behind the back, the chin is raised (this is how army commanders, police officers, and senior leaders often stand). In general, if you want to make your superiority clear, you just need to physically rise above your opponent - sit above him if you are talking while sitting, or maybe stand in front of him.

Gestures of nervousness . Coughing, clearing the throat /those who often do this feel insecure, anxious/, elbows are placed on the table, forming a pyramid, the top of which is the hands located directly in front of the mouth / such people play “cat and mouse” with partners while they do not give them the opportunity to “reveal their cards,” which is indicated by moving their hands away from their mouths onto the table, jingling coins in their pockets, indicating concern about the availability or lack of money; tugging at one's ear is a sign that the interlocutor wants to interrupt the conversation, but is restraining himself.

Gestures of self-control. Hands placed behind the back and tightly clenched. Another pose - sitting in a chair, a person crossed his ankles and grabbed the armrests with his hands / typical for waiting for an appointment with the dentist /. The gestures of this group signal a desire to deal with strong feelings and emotions.

Body language expressed in gait.

The most important are speed, size of steps, degree of tension, body movements associated with walking, and placement of toes. Don't forget about the influence of shoes (especially for women)!

Fast or slow gait depends on temperament and strength of impulses: restless-nervous – lively and active – calm and relaxed – sluggish-lazy (for example, with a relaxed, saggy posture, etc.)

Wide steps(more often in men than in women): often extroversion, determination, zeal, enterprise, efficiency. Most likely aimed at distant goals.

Short, small steps(more often in women than in men): rather introversion, caution, calculation, adaptability, quick thinking and reactions, restraint.

Emphatically wide and slow gait– desire to show off, actions with pathos. Strong and heavy movements should always demonstrate to others the strength and importance of the individual. Question: really?

Pronounced relaxed gait- lack of interest, indifference, aversion to coercion and responsibility, or in many young people - immaturity, lack of self-discipline, or snobbery.

Noticeably small and at the same time fast steps, rhythmically disturbed: anxiety, timidity of various shades. (Unconscious goal: to evade, give way to any danger).

Rhythmically strong gait, swaying slightly back and forth(with increased movements of the hips), claiming some space: naive-instinctive and self-confident natures.

Shuffling, sagging gait refusal of volitional efforts and aspirations, lethargy, slowness, laziness.

Heavy "proud" gait, in which there is something theatrical, not entirely appropriate, when when walking slowly the steps are relatively small (a contradiction), when the upper part of the body is held emphatically and too straight, perhaps with a disturbed rhythm: overestimation of oneself, arrogance, narcissism.

Firm, angular, stilted, wooden gait(unnatural tension in the legs, the body cannot sway naturally): tightness, lack of contact, timidity - hence, as compensation, excessive hardness, overexertion.

Unnaturally jerky gait, pointedly large and fast steps, noticeable waving of the arms back and forth: the existing and demonstrated activity is often just meaningless busyness and efforts regarding some of one’s own desires.

Constant lifting up(on tense toes): upward striving, driven by an ideal, a strong need, a sense of intellectual superiority.

Posture

Good relaxed posture– it is based on high receptivity and openness to the environment, the ability to immediately use internal strengths, natural self-confidence and a sense of security.

Body stiffness or tension: a self-defensive reaction when they feel out of place and want to pull away. Greater or lesser constraint, avoidance of contacts, closedness, self-focused state of mind. Often sensitivity (impressionability with the need to evaluate oneself).

Constant tension and external rigidity with a certain coldness of manifestations: sensitive natures who try to hide behind the appearance of firmness and confidence (often quite successfully).

Poor, sluggish posture: outside and inside "hang your nose"

Slouched back: humility, submission, sometimes servility. This is a spiritual state that is confirmed by a facial expression known to everyone.

Commonly adopted conventional poses(for example, one or two hands in pockets, hands behind the back or crossed on the chest, etc.) - if not associated with states of tension: lack of independence, the need to quietly include oneself in the general order. It is often observed when several people gather in a group.

Body Language - Shoulder Girdle and Upper Body

Combination: high shoulders with a slightly hunched back and a more or less retracted chin(more or less bowed head, pulled into the shoulders): a feeling of threat and the resulting defensive behavior: helplessness, a feeling of “stubble,” fear, nervousness, timidity. If it persists constantly, it is an established trait that has developed from a prolonged stay in a state of intimidation, for example, with constant fear of parents or a spouse (domestic tyrant).

Shoulders falling forward– a feeling of weakness and depression, humility, a feeling or inferiority complex.

Squeezing the shoulders forward and outward- with strong fear, horror.

Free shoulder drop– a feeling of confidence, inner freedom, control of the situation.

Shoulder push back– a feeling of strength, one’s own capabilities, activity, enterprise, determination to act, often overestimating oneself.

Alternating raising and lowering of shoulders– inability to establish something accurately, doubts, thoughts, skepticism.

Protruding chest(intensive inhalations and exhalations, a constant large amount of air remaining in the lungs):

“+”: consciousness of strength, strong sense of one’s personality, activity, enterprise, need for social contacts.

“-”: (especially if emphasized): arrogance, “inflated” person, “inflated” intentions, overestimation of oneself.

Sunken chest(exhalation is more intense than inhalation, there is a minimal amount of air in the lungs) – often the shoulders fall forward:

“+”: inner peace, a certain indifference, isolation, but all this is within the boundaries of the positive, as it stems from the weakness of motives.

“-”: poor health, lack of drive and vitality, passivity, humility, depression (especially with a general loss of strength).

Hands rest on hips: the need for strengthening, strengthening. Demonstration to others of one’s firmness, confidence, stability and superiority: hands are not used at all in an argument, claims to a large space. Challenge, bravado. Often compensation for hidden feelings of weakness or embarrassment. The action is enhanced when the legs are spread wide and the head is pulled back.

The arms support the upper body by leaning on something, for example, against a table, the back of a chair, a low platform, etc.: this is an upper body supporting movement for someone who is weak on their feet; in a psychological sense - the desire for spiritual support in the face of internal uncertainty.

An exciting comedy with a touch of charm, thanks to the handsome main character in the image of David Duchovny, it is unique! Californication is wonderful humor and psychological tension at the same time! Comedy with elements of drama - a great combination!

Wedding glasses look amazing, elegant and delicate in the hands of the newlyweds and on the festive table! A mandatory wedding attribute will highlight the joy of the bride and groom with crystal ringing. The charm of glasses lies in their exclusivity!