Greek · 4 phrases
Hands & Trouble
The non-verbal ones that get you in trouble. Above all the moutza — the open palm thrust at the face — which means your friendly wave can read as a serious insult. Plus the escalation to a double, the "wanker" hand, and the head-toss "no" that every tourist misreads as yes.
το «όχι» με το κεφάλι to «óchi» me to kefáli gesture No. — the head-toss that foreigners fatally misread as 'yes.' η χειρονομία του μαλάκα i cheironomía tou maláka gesture You wanker / you idiot — the gestural version of malakas. η μούντζα (φάσκελο) i moúntza (fáskelo) gesture Screw you / here's five of everything for you — the definitive Greek insult gesture. η διπλή μούντζα i diplí moúntza gesture The double moutza — twice the insult, maximum contempt.