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What is the Most Well Known Greek Hand Gesture?

Greek Hand GestureEvery nation has a different language, expressions and idioms, but a very essential part of communicating with people is the rich “vocabulary” of gestures that is present in every culture. Gestures usually depend on circumstances and emotions and they mean something different to every nation.
However, the fact that various cultures may use the same gestures to express different feelings may lead to misunderstandings. Huffington Post published a “map” and a video in order to help people decipher the meaning of gestures depending on the nationality of the person doing them.
Greeks are very well known for speaking loudly and for constantly using body language to make their statements more believable. So naturally, Greece made it on Huffington Post’s map. Specifically, one gesture drew the attention of foreigners, the outward hand, or as Greeks call it the “moutza.”
In Greece, this gesture is considered insulting and is usually followed by some very harsh words, or it can be used mockingly among friends. No matter the situation though, the moutza, is one of the most common gestures you will see when visiting the country.
According to the article, this gesture came from the traditional practice of rubbing dirt, ashes or faeces in the face of convicts.

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