Colombian Gestures

              Colombian people are very expressive not only with their words but also with their facial and body gestures. The following video can show and explain more about it.

http://www.anacarolinamurillo.com/2012/02/gestos-colombianos-para-el-extranjero.html

                There are some examples of how Colombians communicate with gestures and sometimes words are not needed. Talking about body language, Colombians talk with their bodies. The way we say hello it is not only words and generally words come together with hugs, kisses, hand shake and facial gestures. In the case of a Colombian says just hello to another Colombian without the expected gesture, it can be taken like one is mad with the other one and a complaint of that behavior will be given. In other words if the hello word doesn’t come along with the gesture it is like saying nothing and it is very impolite in Colombia.  When a Colombian ask you how are you, depending on the answer your answer, his or her face will feel your words and they will be translated on facial gestures like surprise, sadness, happiness, kindness or emotion by different movements of their eyebrows, mouth, cheeks and eyes.  If those gestures are not made it means like you are not putting attention of what the other person is telling you.

                Colombians are also very touching people. They like to feel physical contact with their family, friends and people they care for. For me, as a Colombian this cultural factor has been the most difficult to get used to in America. I want to hug everyone I meet or at least the ones I like such as Americans, Chinese, Koreans,  Italians and so on. But when I am going to do it I feel their resistance. I understand that it is cultural but a hug means that I like you and I care for you. Sometimes I don’t care and I do it and if they make me a face I say: “I’m sorry, I am from Colombia and we like to hug people”.

                The body language is part of my culture, in other words it is part of me. Sometimes I think if I need to change my gestures or minimize them in order to fit into American culture. But that is part of me already and part of my uniqueness and originality but for sure I need to learn when and where I can express them with confidence and pride..