Gestures are the "silent language" of every culture .We point a finger or move another part of the body to show what we want to say .It is important to know the body language of every country,or we may be misunderstood
In the United States,people greet each other with a handshake in a formal introduction The handshake must be firm If the handshake is weak,it is sign of weaknesses or unfriendliness. Friends may place a hand on the other's arm or shoulder .Some people, usually women greet a friend with a hug .
Space is important to Americans When two people talk to each other they usually stand about two and a half feet away and they do not face each other directly Americans get uncomfortable when a person stands too close They will move back to have their space If Americans touch another person by accident they say Pardon me or Excuse me
Americans like to look the other person in the eye when they are talking.If you don't do so,it means you are hiding something,or are not interested But when you stare at someone ,it is not polite
For Americans,"thumb up"means yes very good or well done "Thumb down"means the opposite .To call a waiter ,raise one hand to with level or above.Toshow you want the check,make a movement with your hands as if you are signing a piece of paper It is all right to point at things but not at people with the hand and the index finger Americans shake their index finger at children when they scold them and pat them on the head when they admire them
Learning a culture's body language is something confusing.If you don't know what to do ,the safest thing to do is to smile.