Why Do Italians Talk with Their Hands?

by - 7:23 AM

Italians talk with their hands meme. "If your hands aren't moving, then I can't hear you!"
Italians talk with their hands. "If your hands aren't moving,
then I can't hear you!"
Buongiorno miei amata amici!

Italians talk with their hands as persistently as the Old Faithful geyser erupts, except more often! My papà informed me that he could not help but move his hands on my mamma, because he had "Roman hands." Fortunately, he never did lay claim to having "Russian fingers!"

On the other hand (pun intended), most Italians in certain regions have common hand gestures which speak the same language. In a 1973 published articled in Time Magazine, the publication had the nerve to infer that talking with hands is a sign of poor breeding. I'd like the author of that article to stand in the middle of the Roman Coliseum and share that belief!

Recently, I was quite amused with the latest episode of  The Italian Experience, where a french man visits Italy to understand the need to talk with hands. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!



You May Also Like

22 Punti per la polizia grammatica