The second type of gestures is gestures-illustrators.
Language of gesture.
The special feature of body language is that we use it like impulses of our subconsciousness. We can't falsify these impulses and that's why we trust this more than usual language. So we pay attention to meaning of gesture and facial expression and we want to learn how to explain that special language witch we use without realizing it.
The knowledge of body language is necessary both in business sphere and in sphere of personal mutual relations. Ability to interpret that language and use of various auxiliary means will help to become successful in any business. The good knowledge and effective application of body language in the communication with foreign people help us to understand better culture of the people.
Gesture in Russia
Handshake
limp handshake — low self-appraisal (вялое / слабое рукопожатие- низкая самооценка)
firm handshake — aggression (твёрдое пожатие- агрессия)
walk up and down - decision-making (расхаживать взад и вперёд- принятие решения )
walk slowly – restraint, care (идти тихим шагом – сдержанность, осторожность)
stoop- submission ( сутулость- покорность, подчинение)
Gesture in Germany
gestures of the Germans agree with the Russian, but there is one difference.
shake one's finger – грозить пальцем
Germans raise their hand to the level of the face, finger nail turned to his companion and is moving parallel to the body (немцы поднимают руку на уровень лица, палец повернут ногтем к собеседнику и движется параллельно телу)
Gesture in USA
Body Language
Keep your distance when conversing. If an American feels you are standing too close, he or she may step back without even thinking about it.
People who like to touch really like touching, and people who do not like to touch really dislike being touched. You will need to watch your colleagues for clues on what they are comfortable with. Americans are generally uncomfortable with same- sex touching, especially between males.
Holding the middle finger up by itself is considered insulting and vulgar.
Americans smile a great deal, even at strangers. They like to have their smiles returned.
Men and women will sit with legs crossed at the ankles or knees, or one ankle crossed on the knee.
Some Americans are known as «back slappers»- they give others a light slap on the back to show friendship.
The first type of gestures is gestures-symbols.
For example, a widespread in many countries American symbol 'OK' is such gesture. It means 'it's all right'. However it is impossible to consider this gesture standard. For example, in France it can mean a zero, and in Japan - money.
Other gestures-symbols can be limited by culture or area frameworks. So, in Saudi Arabia the kiss in top means an apology. In Jordan and other Arabian countries touching teeth by a nail of the thumb symbolizes restriction of financial possibilities. In different cultures different gestures-symbols for a designation of the same or close concepts are used. To show a suicidal type of one or another action Americans put one or two fingers to a head showing a pistol. In a similar situation inhabitants Papua New Guinea touch the throat by the hand and Japanese do vigorous movement by a hand clamping it in a fist.
The second type of gestures is gestures-illustrators.
They are used for the explanatory of our speech. By help of such gesture one or other moments of the message become stronger. Also the key moments of conversation are underlined and as a result are better remembered.
The third group is made by gestures-regulators.
They play very important role in the conversation beginning and ending. One of such gestures-regulators is hand shake. It is the traditional and the most ancient form of a greeting.
In the business world hand shake is used not only as a greeting but also as an agreement undertaking symbol, a sign of trust and respect of the partner.