History Main / IdiosyncraticCulturalGesture

* ''Literature/{{Gate}}'': When Princess Pina is negotiating with the Japanese delegates in Tokyo, the Japanese ambassador concludes the meeting by offering her hand. The JSDF member accompanying the Princess explains that it's a greeting, and tells the Princess to take the ambassador's hand.

* ''WesternAnimation/BoJackHorseman'': The aquatic members of Atlantic Ocean City view a thumbs-up as the equivalent of FlippingTheBird. This causes a minor scandal when [=BoJack=] tries to signal goodwill to one of them with a thumbs-up.

* ''Literature/HeraldsOfValdemar'': Subverted by a GenreSavvy Tremaine. Early in Storm Rising, the town council of Shonar asks Tremaine if some of his troops could possibly help with the harvest. Tremaine agrees, then realizes he'll need to have his volunteers briefed on local courting customs since they'll be working side by side with farm women ? he doesn't want any issues with one person thinking they're in a casual relationship and the other thinking they're engaged.

* ''Film/TheGodsMustBeCrazy'': When a rhino stomps out their campfire, Steyn tries to explain to Kate that this is a thing that happens when she accuses him of doing it.[[note]]She didn't see the rhino, but she saw him finish off the fire to make sure the rhino doesn't come back.[/note]] He even asks some local tribesmen, but he forgot that the tribe in question shake their head for "yes" and nod for "no", meaning that Kate finds him even less credible, despite the fact that the tribesmen are actually confirming his account of things.

* ''Film/TheGodsMustBeCrazy'': When a rhino stomps out their campfire, Steyn tries to Kate explain that this is a thing that happens when she accuses him of doing it. He even asks some local tribesmen, but he forgot that the tribe in question shake their head for "yes" and nod for "no", meaning that Kate finds him even less credible, despite the fact that the tribesmen are actually confirming his account of things.

* ''Anime/{{Gate}}'': When Princess Pina is negotiating with the Japanese delegates in Tokyo, the Japanese ambassador concludes the meeting by offering her hand. The JSDF member accompanying the Princess explains that it's a greeting, and tells the Princess to take the ambassador's hand.

* ''Anime/ToLoveRu'': Grabbing a Devilukean girl by her breasts is a marriage proposal. There is also a cooling-off period where you can break the engagement by grabbing them again within 72 hours.

* ''WesternAnimation/FernGully'': Crysta seems to recognize that Zack offering his hand while introducing himself is a form of greeting, but not knowing the context, offers her hand at Zack's eye level while introducing herself.

* ''Film/TheGodsMustBeCrazy'': When a rhino stomps out their campfire, Steyn tries to Kate explain that this is a thing that happens when she accuses him of doing it. He even asks some local tribesmen, but he forgot that the tribe in question shake their head for "yes" and nod for "no", meaning that Kate finds him even less credulous, despite the fact that the tribesmen are actually confirming his account of things.

Every culture has its own unique way of doing things, from cooking, to language, to religious practices, and even body language. Several cultures have non-verbal means of expressing an idea or thought that are unique to that culture (and might be completely misconstrued or misunderstood by another), or which evolved from contact with another culture, but adopted the gesture in an unique way. Misunderstandings of such gestures could, in extreme cases, lead to an AccidentalEngagement.

For example, in anime and manga, when someone makes a mistake or does something embarrassing, it's not uncommon for them to put one hand behind their head and laugh nervously, possibly accompanied with bowing their head repeatedly as they apologize. Holding out one's pinky finger is a gesture closely associated with the RedStringOfFate, and is often used to indicate a relationship.

And of course, while many Eastern cultures bow as a sign of respect or greeting, in Western culture it's likely in many of the same situations to see someone offer a handshake as a greeting or even a sign of friendship (and in fiction equally likely that someone might refuse or even slap the hand away as a rejection). Two people from the same culture shaking hands would be "People Sit In Chairs", unless something significant about the handshake is discussed InUniverse. Cross cultural displays are significant, especially if explained.

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Every culture has its own unique way of doing things, from cooking, to language, to religious practices, and even body language. Several cultures have non-verbal means of expressing an idea or thought that are unique to that culture (and might be completely misconstrued or misunderstood by another), or which evolved from contact with another culture, but adopted the gesture in an unique way. It could, in extreme cases, lead to an AccidentalEngagement.

For example, in Anime & Manga, it is not uncommon when someone makes a mistake or does something embarrassing, a character will put one hand behind their head and laugh nervously, possibly accompanied with bowing their head repeatedly as they apologize. Holding out one's pinky finger is a gesture closely associated with the RedStringOfFate, and is often used to indicate a relationship.

And of course, while many Eastern cultures bow as a sign of respect or greeting, in Western Culture it is likely to see someone offer a hand for a handshake as a greeting or even a sign of friendship (and in fiction equally likely that someone might refuse or even slap the hand away as a rejection). Two people from the same culture shaking hands would be "People Sit In Chairs", unless something significant about the handshake is discussed InUniverse. Cross cultural displays are significant, especially if explained.

* ''Anime/ToLoveRu'': Grabbing a Devilukean girl by her breasts is a marriage proposal. There is also a cooling off period where you can break the engagement by grabbing them again within 72 hours.

** ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'': The NX-01 crew offends an alien species by inviting them to dinner. The aliens regard eating the same way humans view going to the toilet - something that should only be done in private - and they storm off back to their own vessel. Trip apologises and the alien captain accepts that maybe this is something they should have divulged beforehand.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'': In “Lost in Newtopia”, when Anne and Polly visit a shop, the salesnewt turns and seemingly offers his tail in greeting. Anne stands there for a moment, unsure of how to respond, but the moment quickly passes without incident.

And of course, while many Eastern cultures bow as a sign of respect or greeting, in Western Culture it is likely to see someone offer a hand for a handshake as a greeting or even a sign of friendship (and in fiction equally likely that someone might refuse or even slap the hand away as a rejection). Two people from the same culture Shaking hands would be "People Sit In Chairs", unless something significant about the handshake is discussed InUniverse. Cross cultural displays are significant, especially if explained.

Compare and contrast SillyMeGesture, PalmFistTap, ShyFingerTwiddling, and MagicalGesture. Super trope to ItaliansTalkWithHands. It may overlap with FunnyForeigner. CultureClash, and DeliberateValuesDissonance, InnocentlyInsensitive are frequently paired with this trope thanks to the potential for conflict. Super Trope to StrangeSalute.

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