ITALIAN HAND GESTURES EXPLAINED INCLUDED THE NEW PINCHED FINGERS EMOJI!
Ah, Italian hand gestures are Italy’s most famous signature (hand signature in every sense). Let’s see the best ones!
LATEST UPDATE – JULY 2022
Hold on to your horses! A new pinched fingers emoji is included, and it has a strictly Italian meaning! Everyone is tagging me to tell me, so hey, could I have been left out of this article?! Certainly not!
Keep reading to see me using the now famous Italian pinched fingers emoji… way before they invented it online, including what it means!
Italians are well famous for their hand gestures. We can go on and on talking only by using our hands and perfectly understanding each other. It’s our “Trademark.”
We don’t even realize it until someone starts emulating us (see my boyfriend when I talk to my parents on the phone).
Let’s say you are on vacation in Italy, Sardinia, Tuscany, Rome…whatever! And you meet an Italian person. Yes, that strange creature, half-human, and half cartoon, who would probably be able to send you to jail for eating a pineapple pizza or drinking a cappuccino after midday (but I’m digressing!)…
What do you do to make them laugh or impress them? Easy peasy! Start to talk and use hand gestures, just like them! You will see an instant smile on their face (and they probably will think you are a bit crazy, but that’s part of the game right?.)
So let’s get started with our Italian hand gestures crash course. After reading this article, you will finally understand what happens when two Italians are around. No more secret codes, I promise! You will even be able to join the conversation and add some very deep meaning to it 😉
UPDATE 2017 – FOGNINI HAND (FINGER) GESTURE AT WIMBLEDON –
This one made me laugh! When the Italian tennis player Fabio Fognini put his finger in his mouth during his match against Andy Murray at Wimbledon, so many people started Googling “Fognini Finger in mouth gesture,” “Obscene Italian hand gestures,” “Finger in mouth meaning,” looking for an answer.
You even sent me numerous emails asking me whether or not he truly performed an obscene gesture. So what’s the answer?
Not really! Italians are famous for using their hands A LOT, but not all these gestures are specific to a situation or offensive! Let’s say that we truly like to gesticulate a lot, even if it doesn’t have a proper meaning.
In this case, Fognini’s gesture wasn’t obscene and didn’t have any specific meaning. If I had to guess, as an Italian who also gesticulates a lot, he did it probably out of frustration, or he was mimicking a gag reflex for a bad shot.
Who knows? But from what I saw (I’m a massive tennis fan, and I was watching the whole thing when it happened), I didn’t see anything obscene in his gesture.
For the records, I’m not defending him because he is Italian, he was involved in a few debates regarding his behavior, and I don’t like him AT ALL. Even if he has some brilliance in his game, I am a die-hard Rafa Nadal fan, so there is no conflict here 🙂
Now back to the main topic, the real, meaningful Italian hand gestures you need to know…
Ready? Read on!
TOP ITALIAN HAND GESTURES: (Featuring me)
Disclaimer: These shots have been one of the most embarrassing things I ever did because I had to perform some very silly faces and had my (now ex) boyfriend mocking me the whole time! 🙂
For every picture, I will put a headline with the meaning and a quick explanation at the bottom. Note that, to fully understand the meaning of an Italian hand gesture, you always need to pay attention to the face! Enjoy the Italian silliness.
ITALIAN HAND GESTURE N.1| DELICIOUS!
When to use it: Typically at the restaurant after a very good meal, or in a funny way to compliment a girl. Use it to impress the waiter/waitress (unless you are eating at a very posh place, in that case, it’s not very appropriate!)
ITALIAN HAND GESTURE N.2: WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! (New Online Emoji!)
When should you use it?
One of your friends is saying something totally silly? Or trying to bullshit you? Using this hand gesture will clearly state that you ain’t buying any of it!.
Or you can even use it to simply piss them off even if they are talking about astrophysics. This is one of my favorites! Effective and straight to the point. Don’t forget to use a proper face!
ITALIAN HAND GESTURE N. 3: YOU ARE CRAZY!
When should you use it?
I’ll use some silly fictionary examples: You’re on a vacation in Thailand, and instead of enjoying the beach, your friend has the brilliant idea of swimming in a Piranha-filled pool? That’s the time to use this hand gesture!! (No, don’t try and look for it, there are many activities to do in Koh Tao (Thailand), but nothing like swimming with Piranhas!!)
ITALIAN HAND GESTURE N. 4: GO TO HELL!!
When should you use it? (Hint: whenever you want!!) 😀
So…Your friend starts mocking you because you refuse to go swimming with the Piranhas with him. He says you are a coward, and you don’t know how to have fun in life. Feel free to use this sign! Avoid using this hand gesture with your girlfriend, especially if she’s Italian. Don’t tell me I haven’t warned you!!
ITALIAN HAND GESTURE N. 5: I GIVE UP!
When should you use it: After sending your friend to hell with the previous gesture, unbelievably, he is still trying to convince you about the Piranhas.
You don’t want to argue with him anymore and want to drop the subject. This sign is perfect for the occasion! It also means the classic and straightforward: WHATEVER! (If your girlfriend is Italian and uses this hand gesture, combined with a spiteful or poker face… RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! 😀
ITALIAN HAND GESTURE N.6: YOU ARE STUBBORN!!
Where to use it: Your friend keeps insisting on the piranhas over and over. This is a good way to tell him that he’s stubborn and hard-headed! (maybe use a less smiling face to be more credible).
Do you have a lovely Italian Girlfriend? Listen to me carefully… NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, USE THIS HAND GESTURE WITH HER, OR YOU’RE A DEAD MAN. Your Italian girlfriend, like any woman on the planet, is always right!
ITALIAN GESTURE N. 7: YOU ARE BORING!!
When should you use it:
You tried everything: You sent your friend to hell and said he was crazy, but he is persistent. He wants you to swim with Piranhas with him. Tell him that he is getting boring by shaking your hands in front of you (and rolling your eyes).
ITALIAN HAND GESTURE N. 8: ENOUGH!!
When should you use it?
You don’t want to hear another word about Piranhas. Or anything else. With this hand gesture, you close the conversation for good.
ITALIAN HAND GESTURE N. 9: I DON’T CARE, I DON’T GIVE A DAMN!
Where to use it:
Your friend finally decides to go swimming with the damn piranhas by himself. He comes back, alive, with a half-eaten bloody foot. This sign perfectly tells him you don’t give a damn.
ITALIAN GESTURE N. 10: I HAVE AN IDEA!!
When to use it: You want to dissuade your friend from proposing other rent-less adventures, and you had the brilliant idea of involving him in a scuba diving course.. go to him and, with an excited face, tell him that you had the most incredible idea by using this sign!
ITALIAN GESTURE N. 11: IF I CATCH YOU, I KILL YOU!!
When to use it: After telling your friend about your idea, he confesses that he just signed up for another activity. He’s going to swim with big white sharks. This sign exactly “daammn, don’t let me catch you! Otherwise, I’ll ruin you with my hands!”
ITALIAN GESTURE N. 12: SIGNS AGAINST BAD LUCK
When to use it: Even with his absurd ideas, you still care about your friend, so before he leaves for his next adventure, you want to perform this sign to wish him good luck. This gesture means, ” I hope nothing bad happens to you. I will exorcise the bad luck for you”!
You can also use this sign for the opposite reason. You are watching your favorite football game, and the referee just gave a penalty to the other team. Before they try to score, you perform this sign to wish them bad luck.
Italians, football, and superstition! 🙂 what a great combination!
ITALIAN GESTURE N.13: SILLY ME I FORGOT!!
When to use it: You finally signed up for the scuba diving course with your friend. On the morning of your first lesson, you woke up at 10, and you suddenly realized that you had just missed the 6 am immersion. That’s the face you will show to the world (if you are Italian, of course) 🙂
ITALIAN GESTURE N. 14: SILLY ME! I REMEMBER NOW!!
When to use it: After all your lectures about Piranhas and attending the scuba diving course, your friend is really pissed off at you. He reminds you that you told him to get ready by 5:50 am for the first class.
You play dumb and pretend you were too drunk to remember what you said the previous night (if you are in Koh Tao, he’s going to believe you eventually!).
But, right now…He’s insisting. Now you can perform “The face” as you just remembered out of the blue! This can be a genuine face or a fake face, depending on the circumstances. Pay attention to catch the liar!
ITALIAN GESTURE N. 15: HE/SHE THINKS IT’S SMART!!!
When to Use it: Your friend believes your innocent face, you turn your face to your other friends and make this face as to say: ” He thinks he’s smart.” You can also use this gesture when you genuinely think that someone said something smart. Italians don’t always fake it! 🙂
ITALIAN GESTURE N. 16: COME HERE YOU!
Where to use it: You want to have a private chat with your friend before he goes swimming with the sharks. You can call him just waving your hand up and down. If you make little, almost invisible movements, it means that you need to tell him some sort of secret.
ITALIAN GESTURE N. 17: BE CAREFUL, WATCH OUT!
When to use it: Your friend comes closer to you, and after you perform the superstitious gesture for good luck, you add this sign to warn him about the danger and to incite him to be extremely careful in his adventure. After all the lies and mocking, you still care about your friend!
So my dear friends! This shenanigan about Piranhas, sharks and bad travel friendship is officially over! I hope you appreciate my acting qualities and my vast knowledge of Italian traditions and costumes! 🙂
For more information, or to attend one of my VERY popular courses in “Italian Shenanigan-ism/silliness volume 1” just contact me or feel free to comment on the space below!
Now you are officially ready to conquer the world!
Oh, and if you didn’t like my post…
JUST KIDDING!
Comments
Sabrosa, con gusto se la metía hasta el tuétano y le daba como caja.
Hello, thank you for your valuable and fun tips, very helpful for Italian enthusiasts like me 🙂
Interesting! Such an informative post. Now, we know some of the Italian gestures.
Ur intoxicatingly beautiful! Wow! Grazie nice posts…..Che Bella fascia!
haha thanks. You say “bella faccia” in Italian 🙂
Great,now you know and can speak like an Italian! 🙂
cool article! but ITALIAN GESTURE N. 15 is not entirely correct, the right one is used with the thumb finger and you mimic a cut on the cheeks from top to bottom. Ciao
I need to see it again! ahahaha maybe there are a few different versions! Where are you from?
I love the open approach towards communication that prevails in Italy. The loudness and constant use of gestures indicates that people are confident and aren’t afraid of speaking their minds. I’m from Denmark that is culturally opposite of Italy in almost every way and while I love my country, one thing I don’t like especially after having spent time abroad, is the communication approach and the fact that people hate to stand out. Unlike what outsiders believe, it’s not like we hate to talk, but we are grown up with the idea that seeking attention is something bad, one must stay away from all controversies and too much talking leads to saying something that might offend someone (even if unintentional).
This is too funny! But very informative. I did not know the meaning behind many of those gestures!
Great,now you know and can speak like an Italian! 🙂
Your Italian gesture 17, I thought it meant F*** you because I watched part 6 of JoJos Bizarre adventure Stone Ocean and the main character Jolyne Kujoh did that gesture which she used 4 different cultures including America’s famous The Finger
Funny that I’ve never used most of these gestures in my lifetime, certainly not in the exact similar manner.
What you’ve mentioned are probably your own gestures. While we do talk with our hands and face, there’s no rule for it and everybody has own set of signs (If we’ll have definite rules we would cease being Italian).
I have a feeling that the food rules in Italy are so strict only so that after bitching about Italy and Italians in every possible manner for three hours, we finish the dinner believing that we are law-abiding and patriotic people – living in the best country of the world.
Leaving aside food, family and friends – I’d say that your gesture 9 is perfect summary of the average Italian. And pretty sure you are not kidding at the end.
Yep, you’re definitely Italian!
a parte la 15 sono tutte giuste…ma dove vivi?
Bella domanda! Da parecchio vivo in giro per il globo e ora tra la Sardegna e la Germania, con un occhio verso nuove mete piu’ esotiche un giorno! 🙂
This is a fantastic post! I have always wondered what the Italians are doing with their hands, I had no idea just how many gestures they had and what they all mean 🙂
We are weirdos 😀 But funny ones!
I love that I’m Italian and now after 50 yrs pass I’m being told by my boyfriend I’m ignorant and I’m not stopping to use my hands to talk I can’t.All my life I’ve been!! Yes Italiano loves it Yes!!
Hello,
Very good contribution, I like to see that you take life with humor. The gestures are very well explained, an image is better than a thousand words and the Italians have a lot of expressiveness.
A hug.
Thanks Ana! yes you’re right the images speak more than the words and I had so much fun doing it! 🙂
Cheers
Clelia
This is a great post. Loved to read various gestures. It is nice to know different cultures. Thanks for explaining along with images.
You’re Welcome! 🙂
Italian gestures I have learned. But what about the English gesture of raising the middle finger of left hand what does that denote?
Ha! I don’t specialize in English gestures… I’m intrigued to know now! 🙂
It’s a little nuanced, meaning somewhere from “fuck off!” to “screw you!” although it may be different in the US than England
The “what you’re talking about” gesture is usually presented single handed despise what Americans believe
Thanks for sharing.
So much fun, This was a real delight to view, some of these I use, many I’m familiar with, some I’ve never seen, I live in Wash. St now, but was born in LA in 61,…..I’m half Italian, my good half anyways. :O)
Grandpa Pete & Grandma Angelina were from the same neighborhood in Bari, he came to American through Ellis Island, in Nov. of 1912, ended up in Philly digging ditches, hated the cold and went to LA on advice from a friend to pick walnuts.
I read all the comments and I know you probably heard it so much you want to give everyone the ole hand under the chin wave off, another version I learned when we used to go to their house for the big sunday meals, in Pasadena, (which I miss so much), was you do the same waving of the hand but it’s from under the armpit. Ha Ha….
Have you seen that version?….ha
I miss my grandpa Pete and grandma Angelina, they were fun to be around…. he passed when I was only 15, but he sure left an impression on me, had a great sense of humor, I remember he used to hammer wooden signs in his front yard on Primrose Ave in S.Pas, to tell the world helpful words…..
The only one I remember is; “Do what you want, just don’t hurt anybody” I love that.
You seem like a really swell person and I think your work on this site is great……and ok, I may be a Bachagallope saying this as you’ve heard it 100 times,
A youtube video would hit 10s of millions of views, I’m sure of it.
You would give so many more folks around the planet a smile and boy could folks use that these days.
Plus very educational to boot. You could even appear on late night shows, I’m no professional scout, but you have it, I can see!
You say you don’t like your voice…..I’m sure it’s beautiful and your just being a bit shy.
A couple thoughts, to help with your getting over camera shyness, actually I don’t like having pictures taken of me either, especially video, but over time, one could probably overcome that fear and surmount
the tension and then just end up with the sign language toward it— “Forget about it”
But when you look at what you’ve already have done with these pictures, you’ve already did perform it!
Instead of video though it was still, so the person taking the pictures does it in video, you can clip stills from that, or maybe that is what you did.
I think the issue is when you know a video camera is on, then you think about it more! That gets in the way of ones response, I’m sure of it, does me.
I’m sure there is some psychology one could read about in regards to that exposure, I can say from experiance, the most fear one can have sometimes is standing in front of a crowd reading a letter. So I get it, but your work here with gestures is so fantastic, I think it merits a much wider audience. The planet needs you!
My little brother is really funny, and does these little impressions or routines, so many times I wish a camera was on, he can go on and on, sometimes I’ve caught him without him knowing film was in motion and those are most memorable funny videos, he even laughs at them.
Anyhow, I’m blabbering way too much, should you ever post a video, you just might be very proud that you conquered this fear. I’m sure there are film schools that deal with this issue.
Somehow, it’s about rising above and ignoring everything but what your concentrating on, your lines so to speak.
If your up for it, perhaps try spending a half an hour with some friends, relaxing and maybe one person, you don’t know who has a cell phone camera going, but don’t think about it, just do your great gestures in front of them…..after about 30 minutes, I’m sure you would be able to piece together a great compliation.
Anyhow, your very talented and brave I can see, great job here and all the best in your future.
Andiamo and Ciao,
Bill :O)
Thanks for the massive comment Bill! I think you’ve beaten all records (even mine because sometimes I write a lot as a reply, thanks a lot for your suggestion about the video, maybe… one day I will conquer my fears! I assure you I’m working on it. It’s that I feel more confortable writing or behind the camera than in front of it 🙂
Cheers and stay safe!
Nice post. As a German now living in central Italy I must say that the gestures are indeed helpful for a foreigner. I’m still working on my Italian but am totally familiar with the “hand language”.
As for the rest, living in Italy is quite opposite to that Germany – in positive as well as negative sense. The positives being that the culture is quite warm and forgiving, apart from the food, weather and scenery. While most people aren’t very rich, they seem to live like kings and queens. Quite surprisingly, a lot of adults still live with parents. On the negative side, public services are inefficient, and people have little sense of responsibility – no one follows traffic rules and littering in streets is quite common (and no one is ever fined for it). At the same time, many people are quite conservative and talk about social issues and minorities as if they were in 60’s (this isn’t a problem with youth though, which is open minded).
Overall I love it here, just like almost everyone else living here, despite always having something to complain about.
Thanks for posting this out! Amazing post and a great read! Really it was an awesome article…very interesting to read. Thanks for sharing your information.
Wow, great. Thanks for sharing
For this article, you deserve a 10!!! Thank you for the smiles.
Thanks Paul 🙂
Mind Blowing!Thank you klelia.I learnt new things..You’re so cool! So is the post! I really really like this post..
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Mind Blowing!Thank you klelia.I learnt new things..You’re so cool! So is the post! I really really like this post..
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I must say that international travel and on cruises tha Italians are the rudest people ever. And what’s up with the women’s lips? Stay away from the plastic surgeon. It doesn’t fool anyone and its ugly.
Wow, talking about generalizing a population! well as you can see at least my lips are thin and ugly by themselves, no surgeon required. Thanks for stopping by 😀
How you do say bolches yarboclos
???
I said Italian Gestures, not…. jgnjfkggf language 😀
how do you say fuck you
It’s on the list. Same as “go to hell” sign.
Hit your hand with your other arm above your elbow or put all your fingers together with your thumb behind your middle finger and move it up and down while in an argument
wait, that sounds complicated ahahahah, but yes, you can also use that pretty common gesture to say it.
Oh yeah, the old “gesto dell’ombrello” aka the “corte de mangas” aka many other things.
ahahahah Nice nickname you chose there! 🙂
You’re so cool! So is the post! I really really like this post. I must save your URL for reference. because I do not want to be an idiot when travelling in Italy 🙁
Thanks Nathan, don’t worry about feeling bad when traveling to Italy, we are nice people 🙂
Having worked every summer in southern Italy the last six years and also having spent a fall and a winter there, I have seen most of these gestures.. But some are certainly more popular than others. For example, what are you talking about? But it doesn’t just mean the literal English translation…there are so many subtile meanings to that gesture… It can also be used to interject a comment into a conversation. Or also a more polite…are you crazy…what the Hell are you talking about! I actually can’t imagine Italians talking without gestures….I even use them now. But many of these go along with the shoulder shrugs too. Oh yes, and the finger poking on the chest of the person you are talking to as well, for emphasis. They provide emphasis and an added emotional context to the gesture. Coming from a German background where hands are not really part of the conversation I think they are great.
Aahhaahha Peter, you are Italianized! You almost know better than me all the story behind some of the most common Italian gestures 😀 And coming from a German background I’m double impressed! Bravo!
These pics made me day, awesome styles, thanks for sharing it…
Thank you 🙂
Italianies like mario and luigi and wario and waluigi they are four italian plumbers
What?? 😀
Great stuff! My heritage is proudly Italian (family from around Avalino).
One thing – just watched an Italian tennis player sanctioned for putting his index finger in his mouth (you can guess the motion, lol). Am I correct in my assumption that this is a major insult? 🙂
Ahahah Graham! I am also watching Wimbledon and you are clearly referring to Fognini against Murray 😉 As I saw it, that is not a typical Italian gesture, nor a clear insult in any way. It might have been a gesture of frustration, possibly mimic a gagging reflex but I doubt it was obscene. Totti, the famous Italian football player, is (was…sigh as he just retired)also famous for putting his finger in his mouth and suck it but that was his signature gesture after a goal, in that case, it meant nothing more than mimicking the sucking of the thumb newborn do (and it was like an homage to his kids).
These umpires in England are very strict, Fognini in that moment wasn’t insulting anyone 🙂 PS, just for the records, I’m not a Fognini fan, I’m a Rafa fan!
Hi Clelia,
Thanks for the quick reply! I do agree that I too have never seen this one before – it’s just that it seemed to be such a deliberate motion, lol.
I remember Totti’s thumb-sucking trademark well. He certainly started a trend in football with that one, ha ha.
Enjoy the tennis – Rafa’s looking good for sure.
Great blog, G.
I’m Matteo from Italy and this is brilliant! ahahahahahhaahaa You nailed them, I loved your works. Regardes from Naples!
Ahahaha Glad you liked it! 😀 We are unique in the world!
Funny. Who needs a sign language.
Italians!
that is soooooooooo cool you really should make a video using all of the itallian hand gestures
ahahaha NO videos (for now)… I hate being in front of the camera for videos 🙂
Hi, thank you it was very informative and entertaining! One of my closest friends is Italian I now know how to irritate her. By the way she keeps saying (spelling is obviously wrong) ‘fuculla’ any idea what she is saying? Ciao Tony
Muahahaha OH MY, Tony!!! I’m pretty much sure that what she meant was “vaffanc….” (not writing the whole word in here but I think you get it 😀 It means, let’s put it nicely “Go to hell” but in reality, it’s more rude…Don’t worry, we say it a lot, almost never to insult people especially if they are friends who love annoying us!
On or before New Years it was a custom to say “Bona mana mi”. Not sure if spelling is correct. What is translation in English and what is correct spelling in Italian?
Ahahaha Honestly? I have NO IDEA! It’s definitely not an Italian sentence and doesn’t make any sense 🙂 Sorry I couldn’t help!!
Could be “bonne année mon ami” in French. Meaning: Happy new year my friend
I got that! Do you also have a hand gesture to go with it? 🙂
Hahaha as a Turkish I can say we have these gestures too but Italians use them a lot more than us. I have an Italian girlfriend I know
Really?? ahahaah well in Italy we dramatize everything, even the gestures 😉
Sorry for the jump in. I just started a facebook page that talks about italian, especially from an ironic standpoint.
We talk abut stereotypes, and do you know how it’s simple to have fun with them?
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thank you klelia.I learnt new things
I hope not just the bed ones! 🙂
BED ones ?
what do you mean by that?
Bel posto, Clelia! Sei molto carina nelle foto
ahahah grazie, io andavo piu’ sul ridicolo 🙂
Very interesting post. I love this. I’m learning the Gestures and will apply with my friends. Thanks a lot :).
You will make an impression for sure! 😉
lol, I love this. My stepdad is Italian and I have seen many of these. Some I understood, and some I didn’t. Some I had never seen. I am going to test him and see if he knows, lol. Thanks for sharing. Made me laugh, especially the last one, lol.
Thanks Samantha! Oh It made me laught too when I was taking those pictures!! 🙂 Practice them, is a lot of fun!!
Mind Blowing!
which part? ahaha
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Thanks for this blog post! very funny 😀
Thank you!
It’s really best blog site on travels. I’m going to the Italian cultures like that for experience in my life. This is likeable travel in best destination…………Thanks
Thank you!
luv it
Thanks! (or should I make the face “I don’t give a damn)?? 🙂
Haha I love this. I have only recently watched Eat Pray Love with the Italian hand gestures! I need to go to Italy so if I learn these I can just speak English and everyone will understand me right!?
Ahhaha I remember the part wuth the Italian gestures in that movie, so funny 🙂 that’s all it takes to let Italian people understand you, trust me 🙂
Clelia,
So what does the biting thumb gesture mean like Totti always does?
ahahahahah he’s sucking his thumb as to mime his children! it’s only a cute gesture really, no hiddeng meaning in there 🙂
brava
Brava, Clelia
JP…. practicing your Italian…one post at a time?? aahahah
this is very useful and very funny…didn’t see “I love you” up there!?
wooooh wait…I now realize that we don’t have a gesture for such word!! (not that I know of, at least…)…shame on us Italians! But we have many other way to express it 🙂
Hahaha I loved this! Next time I’m in Italy I will totally be on the look out for these!
You need to practice a bit, but I’m sure you will be great! 😉
Hi Klelia, I just found your site, and I love the post on Italian hand gestures! Please send me info on your Italian Shenaniganisms!
Thanks Laura, i’ll keep you posted when some more shenanigans cames up! 🙂
I wish I can do the same like that , but i am just a man , who will give me sh**T but i did to traveling at the same time work but i can feel and see the world is small. now i am back to Bali and open the small business helping people for traveling u can see my site dikutabali so far for now just for domestic but i also help foregont also because i know how it feel when people help you !
Good Luck with your Business! 🙂
Hilarious gestures. You should make a video like someone suggested.
thanks Hugh…i’m a bit uncomfortable in front of the camera for a video 🙂 shame!
Very interesting gestures. I think that we use some of them here in Louisiana too, or perhaps it is just because I have a little Romano in mi. Great article! Thanks!
Really? I’m discovering that many people know some of the gestures.. interesting. I guess it’s because you have some ITalian genes. The gesture are transmitted by a special Gene in your DNA 😛
its true, in your genes. i have used my hands while talking since i was quite young. didnt even know i had some Italian blood at that time.
Yep! Definitely is in the genes! We are super weird but funny! Glad you have a small part of our awkwardness in you 🙂
The funniest post I have read in a long time. You definitely should make a video. Just think of how many YouTube views it would have.
I’ll second everyone who asks for a video! lol
public demand miss kle! What are u going to do?
uooooo ahaah Chris, don’t even try 🙂
Thanks Jeff…i’m still thinking about that, taking the pictures was embarrassing enough!
Jeff, more than one year after I published this post, videos with similar Italian Gestures are appearing all over the internet… copy cats!
Italian gesture appropriate in here: Hand in my mouth ” If I catch you I’ll ruin you”!!!!
Loved this post! How did you come out with this Idea? I have a few Italian friends, will show them the article, they’ll be definitely amused 🙂
I don’t Know Christopher.. sometimes i just have crazy ideas and i go for it! Glad you enjoyed it, and please show it to your Italian friends..i’m sure they’ll like it!
So funny! I agree, you should make a video 🙂
Oh dear! ….i’ll see what i can do, but i hate my voice, that’s why i always stick to pictures 🙂
Of course I am not asking you, dear, to make a video. Wouldn´t dream of it. BUT!
If I play really daft, thick and stupid, perhaps you will feel sorry for me and do it anyway, since I am a bit in doubt about how to make number 1 and 11…
Great job Miss K; loving every post, sentence, word, tale, story and laugh.
Grazie di cuore.
mmmh i’ll think about it! 🙂
Brilliant Miss K…
Tried to force an Italian to sit on her hands the other day…needless to say she could not continue “speaking” 😉
Would be nice though, for a thick foreigner as me, to see you do them vivante, irl, so one can practise and rehearse in order to make them all spot on before going out and try them on the…Italians! 😉
ahahah Thanks, but wait…are you asking me to make a video??! no way!! 🙂
This post cracked me up!! ahahah i’m half Italian and half American and i know some of your signs 🙂 The piranha story was brilliant too!
Thanks Louise! i don’t even know how i came up with the piranha series 🙂
haha, what a great post! yeap, italians are pretty intense with the gestures, one of the things you guys share with us greeks.
but, mind u missy, u don’t have our precious moutza gesture lol
Ohhh what the hell is this Moutza?? i checked your link but it doesn’t explain the meaning! 🙂
ok, here’s a lovely demo of moutza from old greek movies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a42-l-bb9oM
Moutza can be super rude and insulting to a fun gesture between friends. Depends on the circumstances. f.e. it’s a perfect way to start a feast fight in an argument or you can do that gesture while frowning when a friend says a bad joke.
Chris, YOU should make a Youtube video with the Greek Gestures…if you do it, i’m doing the italian one…deal 🙂
in this case, i’m not that tempted to see ur vid becoming a reality haha!
(you’re one cunning woman!)
smooooothhhh :))
Haha, great article, will share it! Some of these gestures are not typical Italian i guess, we do them in Germany, too. Or maybe it’s only me, since I’m half Italian. I’ll pay more attention from now on.
Anyway, thanks for this article! Grazie!
Thanks Sab! Now i’m curious to know which gestures are “shared” with other cultures 🙂 I made a test on my Boyfriend (South African) and he didn’t know a single one! ahahah
Thanks for a very entertaining and animated post! Well done for posing for all those gestures. And what is wrong with swimming with piranhas, it makes me swim faster 🙂
ahaha so you’re a Piranha fan! guess what face i’m doing right now 🙂
so funny!!! Now i can say i know Italian. Thanks 🙂
Yes now you can TALK in Italian, good luck 🙂
Hilarious!!made my day. Seriously 🙂
Glad you enjoyed Marika!