【日本の文化習慣#3】日本人のジェスチャー

Summary

In this video, Kaede introduces common Japanese gestures, explaining how they differ from those used in other countries. The video highlights various hand gestures, including those for calling someone, pointing to oneself, refusing offers, and expressing joy. It also discusses cultural nuances, such as the peace sign in photos and polite gestures for asking favors. Kaede emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural differences, noting that certain gestures, like the 'thumbs up' or the 'OK' sign, may not be universally understood in Japan. The video offers a fun and educational look into Japanese body language.

Takeaways

• 😀 Japanese people use different gestures to communicate compared to other countries, with cultural differences influencing non-verbal expressions.
• 😀 When calling someone over in Japan, people point their finger downward, unlike in many other countries where people point upward.
• 😀 To refer to oneself, Japanese people point to their nose with their index finger, while in many other countries, people point to their chest or heart.
• 😀 The gesture for 'no' or 'different' in Japan is a horizontal wave of the hand, which may be misunderstood as 'stinky' but actually means 'no' or 'not this.'
• 😀 Japanese people use a palm-facing gesture to politely decline offers or requests, signaling 'no' or 'it's okay.'
• 😀 The 'peace sign' (V-sign) is commonly used in Japan when taking photos, symbolizing peace or a celebratory mood.
• 😀 To ask for something politely, Japanese people often bring their hands together in a prayer-like gesture, showing respect.
• 😀 The 'Guts Pose' (raising a fist in the air) is a common gesture for celebration in Japan, often used after achievements like passing exams or winning a game.
• 😀 Japanese people do not commonly use or understand the 'OK' hand gesture (thumb and index finger forming a circle), which is widely used in many other cultures.
• 😀 Gestures such as pointing to the head to signify 'crazy' or using a 'thumbs up' for perfection are not commonly understood in Japan.
• 😀 When visiting Japan, it's important to be aware of the cultural differences in gestures to avoid confusion or misunderstandings.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The video introduces common gestures used by Japanese people and contrasts them with gestures from other cultures.

How do Japanese people typically call someone?

In Japan, when calling someone, they point their finger downward. This is different from many other countries, where people usually point upward.

What gesture is used in Japan to indicate 'come here' versus 'go away'?

To signal 'come here,' Japanese people point their finger downward. To signal 'go away,' they make a similar gesture, but with the hand facing downward and the motion outward.

How do Japanese people refer to themselves using gestures?

In Japan, when referring to themselves, people typically point to their nose with their index finger, which is understood as a reference to oneself.

What does the gesture of waving the hand horizontally mean in Japan?

In Japan, waving the hand horizontally (side-to-side) means 'no' or 'it’s not correct,' and is used to indicate disagreement or negation.

How do Japanese people reject an offer or say 'no'?

When rejecting an offer or saying 'no,' Japanese people often raise their palm facing outward, signaling that they decline or refuse.

What gesture do Japanese people use when taking pictures?

When taking pictures, Japanese people often make the 'peace' gesture by raising two fingers in a V-shape, a common gesture in Japan for photos.

What does the 'praying hands' gesture mean in Japan?

The gesture of placing the palms together is used in Japan to show respect or make a polite request, as well as during visits to temples or shrines.

What gesture do Japanese people use to express gratitude or apologize?

In Japan, a bow is commonly used to express both gratitude and apologies, and the 'praying hands' gesture is also used to show gratitude in some contexts.

What is a 'guts pose' and when is it used?

The 'guts pose' is a celebratory gesture where the fist is clenched and raised in a victory sign. It is commonly used after winning a competition or passing an exam.

What gestures are rarely used or understood by Japanese people?

Some gestures not commonly understood by Japanese people include the European 'okay' sign (thumb and index finger forming a circle), the 'shh' finger-to-lips gesture, and certain hand gestures that are specific to other cultures.