In Italy, Navigate Your Way With Italian Hand Signals
Arguably, you can explore Italy without speaking a word of Italian. You are set to conquer Il Bel Paese armed with only an outgoing personality, a genuine smile, and Italian hand signals. Or, are you?
You'll be better off relating to Italians and appreciating Italian culture if you study Italian online. Nonetheless, here's a short guide to Italian hand gestures that you can use to supplement your Italian.
Un momento!
You can accurately translate this as "One moment, please." You can achieve this by pointing your index finger upwards, which basically looks like the number 1. You can also apply this hand signal to convey "May I speak, please?", which will then necessitate that you study Italian.
Ho fame
This is a call for your hosts to feed you, translated as "I am hungry." You should hit your stomach with the side of your flat hand, which should convey a clear message. Still you will require some Italian food words to grasp Italian cuisine; or else, you'll find yourself sick of pasta and pizza. You'll learn the difference between pollo and polipo if you learn Italian. These foods might bring you allergies, after all!
Ehi tu, vieni qui
This translates to "come here." It is a similar come hither signal applied in America. You must use this with caution because this could look sexually inviting or obnoxious. Learning to say "prego, potete aiutarli" to get somebody to come over is still the safer way.
Silenzio
Similar to its universal counterpart, the Italian "silence" signal is made by pressing your index finger to your lips. However, there is a line between the hand gesture and successfully communicating why you want quiet. You'll need to study Italian to do this!
Idea!
Put your hand on your head and look happy, and you've effectively emphasized that you have an idea. But studying Italian will come in handy when you tell them all about this idea.
Perfetto
This is achieved with the thumb and index fingers making a circle like the American gesture for "okay." This is very handy if you can't speak Italian and want to praise somebody.
Scusi, devo andare al bagno
If you wish to go to the bathroom, hold up your index and middle fingers and put on a pained expression. This is handy if you need frequent bathroom trips.
Indeed, Italian hand gestures are true poetry. Learning Italian is still handy, though, to communicate with the locals and read Italian street signs. You can opt to have the best of both worlds.
