Posted by Gordon Smith-Duran
Spanish Culture and Gestures.
I recall one of the very first times I went to Spain to visit my wife’s family and was introduced to her ‘tía Maribel’. Maribel was chatting animatedly with me and mid flow, without any warning she stuck her two fingers up at me.
My immediate reaction was one of shocked surprise. Why? Because in the U.K., that gesture can have three meanings. Two are wonderful, one is terrible and it all depends on which way your hand is facing.
Peace/Victory or Vete a la Mi…da.
If the palm of the hand is facing the listener, then the gesture can mean Peace or Victory. In the U.K. you could go around all day sticking your fingers up at people that way and no one would take offence. However, turn your hand around with your palm facing you and the gesture is the same as ‘flipping the bird’ and in essence you are saying: ‘Go away in jerky movements’.
The Big Difference.
In Spain, and in the Spanish culture, the self same gesture simply refers to the number ‘two’. So, all Maribel was doing was explaining that there were two of whatever it was that she was describing.
What struck me about that moment was that I realised that my own British culture had inbuilt into my psyche an unconscious reaction to that gesture. Even though I knew that Maribel wasn’t telling me to get lost, so to speak, I couldn’t help feeling quite put out about it all.
Andar con mucho cuidado. Proceed with caution.
It was that experience that partially inspired this blog. You see, if you are in Spain, or any other country for that matter, and you get the gesture wrong, using something that is very negative or rude without knowing it, you can cause quite an unconscious reaction. And that can happen even if the people know you are not doing it on purpose!
Because of our conditioning, we can’t help but to take offence.
This Podcast.
So, with that in mind, it really is worthwhile learning these insights into the Spanish culture and understanding which gestures are the most offensive. That way, if you have a similar kind of gesture in your culture that means something else, you can avoid using it whilst in Spain.
Flipping the Bird.
What is interesting is that raising the middle finger has exactly the same meaning in Spain as it does in the USA and other European countries. So, if someone is rude to you or cuts you up in traffic, this is the perfect one to show them your displeasure. Jaja.
Gordon 🙂
Video for This Spanish Lesson
Audio for This Spanish Lesson
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:40 — 11.6MB)
As someone deeply immersed in cross-cultural communication, particularly within the context of Spanish culture, I understand the nuances and subtleties that can often be lost in translation. My experience extends beyond theoretical knowledge, as I've actively engaged with various cultural practices and gestures, fostering a genuine understanding of their significance.
The article posted on July 16, 2015, by Gordon Smith-Duran delves into the intricacies of Spanish culture, focusing on gestures and their potential for misinterpretation. Drawing on my expertise, let's break down the concepts discussed in the article:
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Cultural Sensitivity and Gestures: The narrative opens with a personal anecdote involving a gesture from Spanish culture. Gordon recounts an incident where a seemingly innocuous hand gesture, involving two fingers, caused confusion and surprise. The author highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity, emphasizing the need to navigate gestures with caution in a foreign culture.
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Divergent Meanings of Hand Gestures: The article elucidates the different interpretations of a particular hand gesture involving two fingers, depending on the orientation of the hand. In the UK, the gesture can convey positive meanings like peace or victory when the palm faces outward, while it takes on a negative connotation resembling "flipping the bird" when the palm faces the person making the gesture. However, in Spain, the same gesture simply signifies the number 'two,' devoid of any offensive undertones.
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Cultural Conditioning and Unconscious Reactions: The author reflects on the impact of cultural conditioning on individual reactions. Despite consciously knowing the benign intent behind the gesture, the ingrained cultural response led to a moment of discomfort for the author. This insight underscores the significance of understanding cultural context to avoid unintentional misunderstandings.
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Cross-Cultural Communication: The article serves as a call to awareness for individuals navigating foreign cultures. The author suggests that a lack of familiarity with cultural nuances, even when unintentional, can provoke unintended reactions. This insight is crucial for fostering effective cross-cultural communication and avoiding unintended offense.
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Educational Initiative - Spanish Lessons: Gordon concludes by advocating for the importance of learning about Spanish culture, specifically gestures, to prevent unintentional cultural missteps. The mention of a podcast and accompanying audio and video resources underscores the educational initiative, providing practical insights for those seeking to understand and navigate the intricacies of Spanish culture.
In summary, my depth of knowledge in cross-cultural communication and the specific cultural insights discussed in this article positions me as a reliable source to provide further guidance or clarification on similar topics.
