In Filipino culture, the use of body language and hand gestures are very common in daily communication. If you are going to travel to the Philippines, you would want to familiarize yourself with these common gestures to avoid any misunderstanding.
1, Beso-beso (Cheek to cheek)
This gesture was previously only common among members of high society. Eventually, show business in the Philippines picked up on it and it has now become a routine greeting among Filipino women. While some women are comfortable practising beso-beso with their male friends, it is not generally acceptable to do this gesture to someone you have met for the first time.
2, Pagmamano (Bless)
In the Philippines, showing respect for one’s elders is a tradition that has been preserved for generations. The ‘honouring-gesture’ called pagmamano involves a younger person asking for an elder’s hand and gently touching their own forehead with it while bowing. The practice is common whenever someone visits relatives or meets their godparents.
3, Nodding and raising eyebrows with a smile
This is one way of how Filipinos greet each other in a casual and quick way, acknowledging that you saw that person. This gesture is sometimes followed with a friendly tap in the shoulder if they are within reach.
4, Mouth open
Opening your mouth wide is not just a dentist’s order or an indication of a person being surprised. It can also mean that the person you are talking to didn’t understand or properly hear what you just said. A mouth wide open gesture is a nonverbal way of asking: “What did you say?”
5, Silent looks
Usually, when Filipino parents give this fiery-eyes-silent-look to their child, it automatically means that the child should stop whatever he is doing. This is one way of Filipino parents to warn or control their children in public without negatively catching many people’s attention.
6, Handshaking
As in most countries, handshaking is a default gesture among Filipinos when meeting someone for the first time. While both men and women greet each other through handshaking, it is usually the person being introduced who first offers their hand. In some cases, men have to wait for women to offer their hand first.
Source Internet
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