Just got in to Buenos Aires and feeling out of place? Gestures and body language in Argentina, more so than in many other countries, are an obligatory part of communication. Use these gestures to fit right in and communicate with the locals.
1. Aportar
Gesture: Thumb over finger with fist touching a surface
Meaning: Put in money or invest, financed by, paid off
For this gesture, close your four fingers over your palm, making sure the fingertips point straight back towards the inside of your elbow. The thumb should be on top of the already closed index finger facing away from your body. Next, moving your fist at the wrist only (keep the arm still) swing your fist down, maintaining your arm parallel to the ground. Then, with the flat surface area formed between your knuckles and first joints on the four fingers, lock your wrist and touch or hit a table, or similar surface. It is also common to hit the palm of your other hand, instead of a hard surface.
2. ¿Qué es esto?
Gesture: fingertips touching, facing upwards
Meaning: means “what was that all about?”, “what was he thinking?”, “what’s going on?”
Open your hand flat, with the palm facing upwards. Bend your four fingers upwards, and bend your thumb up to touch the fingers. Make sure that the thumb touches all four fingers at once. This should form a cone (Indian teepee-like shape) with your hand. Next, move your hand back and forth slightly at the wrist two or three times. It is also common to make the gesture with both hands at once.
3. Prolijo
Gesture: fingers towards body hand in line moves downward
Meaning: well-mannered, serious, respectful, a correct person
Touch your thumb to your index finger on your right hand. Make sure that each finger touches the finger(s) next to it. Place your hand, with fingers pointing to your chest, touching the middle of your chest about 2 inches below your neck. Slowly move your hand down your chest, as if tracing a tie that hangs down. Your hand should drop about 3-4 inches in the process.
4. Falta mucho
Gesture: vertical hand back and forth
Meaning: keep going for a while longer, you still have a ways to go
Place your hand, palm open facing toward your ear. Leave two inches between your ear and palm. Move your hand backward at the wrist, then forward a couple times, similar to the action of throwing (or pump-faking) an American football.
To learn more about speaking Argentine Spanish take a look at Speaking Argento.
This post is dedicated to Pedro Corradini, an energetic, expressive, lovable teddy bear who taught me about being Argentine. Our hours together of wine and asados on the beach made Speaking Argento possible. I miss him.
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