Nicaraguan Communications - wagging finger, pointing lips and more

I caught my first Nica wagging finger yesterday.

I'd read about it before coming out here and it essentially just means no.  - In this case (pictured above), it meant no photos and it didn't work.

Before we got here my girlfriend and I had become fascinated by the range of Nica hand gestures that we read about. So much so that I actually got used to being teasingly told off by the wagging finger. The other  gesture that captured our imagination was the giving of directions by the directional puckering of the lips rather than finger pointing.

I'd beg: "Go on, ask me the way to the bathroom"

Then I'd twist my lips into what I thought was the Nica style.

I'm still waiting to see it in the flesh so I'm glad that Daveande is out there.  It seems like he has seem them all - he's also fast becoming my favourite English language blogger here.

Here's a couple from his Communicate like a Nica post.·

When you want to refer to your diarrhea: Make a fist and lock your elbow into the side of your body. Move the lower part of your arm up and down

When you want to say someone is stingy or cheap: Flex your bicep and tap the bottom of your elbow with your opposite hand.while grimacing.

I've got to learn how to ask directions soon.  I'm desperate to see the pointed lip pucker.

Comments

[Reveal real estate]

One to add is the "Can I just take a moment of your time" or "Give me a second" - small space between thumb and index finger. Also remember not to leave your shoes on the table.

[ourman]

Shoes on the table? Can't imagine I ever would, but why not?

Superstition or just bad manners?

[minxlj]

could lead to embarrassment for people not realising the puckering of the lips doesn't mean a kiss...LOL

...and I can't imagine why you'd want to refer to your diarrhoea at all :-(