Gestures that vary by country

Worksheet 1 – Miming

Choose one of the gestures below and mime it until your partner guesses what it represents.

Stop	Go away	Come here	Okay
Money/ cash	(I’m) sad	Time out	Cut/ time up/ stop speaking
(You are/ he is) crazy	(Waiter) the bill/ check (please)	Six	You
Me/ I	A drink	(A cup of) tea	Two
Peace	Victory	I don’t know	So-so
(I’m) stupid/ stupid me!	Mind your own business/ don’t interfere	A girl/ woman/ lady/ she	(You’re) late
I swear/ I promise	(They are) together	Zero/ nought/ nothing	A bribe/ a backhander/ money under the table
(This/ that is/ was) delicious/ tasty	One more time/ repeat	(It’s) great/ wonderful	(I) doubt (it)/ (I’m) not sure
Snob/ superior/ arrogant	Be quiet/ shut up	Bad	Hi/ hello
(Just) talk/ talkative	Yes	No	I hope/ I wish/ good luck

 

Gestures that vary by country Worksheet 2

Discuss how you could make each gesture in an easy to understand way.

Discuss how the gestures above vary from vary to country

Could any of the gestures you use be misunderstood or considered rude in another country?

What might these gestures mean in different countries?

Thumbs up

Thumbs down

Raising your eyebrows

Cutting your palm across your neck

Making a circle with your thumb and index finger

Pointing at someone with your index finger (first finger)

Put your index fingers together side by side

Show your index and middle finger

Point to your nose

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PDF for easy saving and printing: GesturesThatVary

Related pages

Body language and gestures page

Cultural training main page