In the first part of this series I explained why Italians gesture with their hands in the first place and where this silent language comes from. Today things get specific. Ten Italian gesturesthat sooner or later one is guaranteed to see in Italy, some daily, some only in heated moments. Each comes with a short story, a meaning and, crucially, a note on when it is better to keep one's hands still.
La Mano a Borsa: the question without words
Few gestures are as quintessentially Italian as this one: the fingertips of one hand come together to form a kind of purse, the hand moves gently up and down, sometimes accompanied by a brief "Ma che vuoi?" This Mano a Borsa conveys impatience, an unspoken question, a "What on earth is this supposed to mean" that requires no words. Its roots stretch back to antiquity, as Andrea de Jorio documented in his work "La mimica degli antichi investigata nel gestire napoletano" of 1832 where a similar bringing together of the fingers already expressed thoughtfulness or doubt.
It is seen everywhere: at the market, in traffic, at the kitchen table, whenever an explanation goes on too long. Among friends or in relaxed situations it can be used with little concern, though in a formal business meeting it quickly comes across as rude, almost like a silent reproach.
Le Corna: protection or insult, depending on the direction
Index finger and little finger extended, the remaining fingers folded in: these are the Corna, the horns. This gesture has two entirely opposite meanings, which is precisely what makes it hazardous for the uninitiated. Pointed downwards, often inconspicuously near a trouser pocket, it has served since antiquity as protection against the evil eye, the malocchio, a superstition that remains very much alive today, particularly in Naples and the Quartieri Spagnoli .
Directed straight at a person, with the palm facing forward, the same gesture means something entirely different: it implies that the person in question is being cheated on, one of the gravest insults in everyday Italian life. Using it pointed downward and casually, to ward off bad luck, is perfectly fine. Pointing it in someone's face, however, is an invitation to trouble.
The finger kiss: the highest praise for good food
The thumb, index and middle finger of one hand touch the pressed-together lips, then the hand opens with a small, almost elegant outward movement, accompanied by a breathed "Squisito". This gesture is among the friendliest in the entire repertoire and carries exclusively positive connotations. It celebrates good food, a fine wine, sometimes a particularly beautiful woman or a perfectly fitting garment. It can be used in virtually any situation where genuine enthusiasm is to be expressed, and is considered charming, never intrusive. The only mistake one can make with this gesture is irony, since sincerely meant enthusiasm and sarcastically exaggerated enthusiasm look remarkably alike.
The rubbed fingers: the universal sign for money
The thumb and index finger rub together, sometimes joined by the middle finger, a movement understood in virtually every culture in the world, though in Italy it is deployed with particular precision. It means money, often in the sense of "too expensive", or sometimes as a quiet enquiry about how much something costs. At the market, while haggling over a price, or as a comment on the cost of a repair, this gesture is ubiquitous and entirely inoffensive. Care is needed only when it is directed at a specific person, as it can quickly take on the tone of an accusation, as though one were accusing someone of greed.
The karate chop: plain speaking without detours
The edge of one hand strikes briefly and decisively into the open palm of the other, often accompanied by a sharp "Basta" or "Fatto". This gesture marks a full stop, a decision that is no longer up for discussion. It comes across as energetic, at times almost authoritarian, and is frequently used by those who want to end a debate or declare a task finished. In a heated argument it can be very effective for making a point. In a sensitive conversation, for instance when someone is processing difficult news, it is best avoided, as it can easily seem as though one is cutting the other person off.
The open palms: the gesture of having no idea
Both palms turn upward, the shoulders rise slightly, the head tilts to one side, accompanied by a drawn-out "Boh" or "Chi lo sa". This gesture is among the most innocuous and at the same time most expressive in the whole repertoire. It means simply "I don't know", sometimes also a resigned "What can one do". It can be used in almost any situation where one wishes to honestly admit ignorance or helplessness, and is never considered rude. Only in a situation where responsibility genuinely ought to be taken, for instance after one's own mistake, might it come across as an excuse that would be better replaced by clear words.
The finger at the temple: between thinking and doubt
The index finger taps or rotates gently at the temple, a gesture with two very different readings. On the one hand it can simply indicate concentrated thought , a "I'm still considering". On the other, particularly when directed at another person, it means something considerably sharper: "Don't be ridiculous" or "That person's not quite right in the head". In a relaxed conversation among friends, when laughing at one's own absent-mindedness, this gesture is entirely unproblematic. Directed at someone else while speaking with them, however, it risks a very real argument, as very few people are happy to be called mad in public.
The hand movement under the chin: a polite way of saying no
The back of the hand strikes lightly under the chin and then moves forward and away, a gesture expressing disinterest or rejection , roughly conveying "I couldn't care less" or "Leave me alone". Historically it most likely derives from an older, considerably cruder insulting gesture, though in everyday use it has softened into something comparatively mild. Among friends, as an exaggerated reaction to a trivial matter, it reads as comic rather than aggressive. In a serious argument or towards strangers it is best avoided, however, as its original, sharper meaning is still well known to many Italians, particularly in southern Italy.
The insult it is best never to make
Some gestures belong not in a friendly list but in a list of warnings, and the so-called Ombrello is the most notorious of them. It involves striking the inner side of the bent opposite arm with one hand, so that the forearm jerks sharply upward, an unmistakably vulgar insult comparable to the internationally recognised middle finger. There is no situation in Italy in which this gesture is harmless or playful; even among close friends it is used almost exclusively as a deliberate provocation. Any visitor who accidentally makes a similar arm movement should apologise immediately and clearly, as misunderstandings of this kind escalate quickly.
Toccare Ferro: reaching for iron against misfortune
As soon as illness, accidents or other misfortune comes up in conversation, many Italians instinctively reach for a piece of iron nearby, a railing, a door handle, sometimes merely making the gesture symbolically in the air, accompanied by "Tocca ferro". This superstitious gesture is meant to prevent spoken misfortune from actually coming to pass, much like the German tradition of touching wood, only with iron rather than wood. Adam Kendon described it in detail in his English translation of de Jorio's work and placed it within its long folkloric tradition. It is used by young and old alike, often half ironically and half in earnest, and nobody takes offence. Only those who fail to make the gesture when an older person in the group has just invoked some misfortune may earn a disapproving glance, as some people take this small superstition quite seriously.
Ten gestures, a whole vocabulary
What fascinates me most about these ten gestures is how precisely they distinguish between closeness and distance, between humour and seriousness. The same hand movement can, depending on speed, expression and context, be meant affectionately or be hurtful. Those travelling to Italy, or, as in my case from October in Pozzuoli, living here, would do well not merely to know these distinctions but also to observe them before reaching for a gesture themselves. In the next part of the series, we take a closer look at those gestures that can cause offence in Italy or quickly lead to misunderstandings.
