Translating Dominican gesturing

Last activity 06 July 2013 by Bob K

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william82462New member03 July 2013 17:18:27

Dominicans are irrepressibly expressive, even when they don´t say a word. Gesturing is their second language. While I´m not fluent in Dominican hand signs, here are my favorites.
Pursing lips and moving the sideways like a rabbit twitching his nose. In spoken language: ¨You´re lying.¨
Placing both hands on the side of the head with the index fingers pointing up: ¨You´re cheating on me.¨ (In Spanish it's pegando cuernos, or locking horns. The index fingers represent horns.)
Bending the arm and striking the elbow from below with an open palm: ¨You´re a cheapskate.¨
Hands clawing and moving together as if squeezing a soft balloon: "It´s crowded in here.¨
Waving a hand at the mouth: Ï´m hungry.¨´
Tipping an imaginary glass at the mouth: "I´m thirsty.
A quick nod of the head toward someone close by. ¨I need to tell you something.´´
The last one comes in handy at mega-decibel clubs or comados where loud music prevents normal conversation. When ordering a Presidente, just measure the size of the bottle by placing your hand over the table or counter to indicate pequena, grande or jumbo. Or just raise one finger and a grande will appear.
When socializing, try not to fold your arms across your chest. Dominicans interpret it as boredom.
Feel free to pass along your favorites.

plannerDominican Republic Expert03 July 2013 18:05:31

17080

Great topic!!! And lots of fun.

Scrunching up your nose a bit, means what? Tell me? Or do you believe that!

when you see a "carro publico" going down the road, or for that matter, any other driver in a beat up car - the driver and or passengers will waive their hands out the window. That can mean, but is not limited to:

I am going to turn - not sure which way
I am going to stop or slowdown, maybe...
I am going to cut you off.........NOW

Hey guy on the corner, you need a ride?

Lady,lady you the cute one, can I have your number???

OR, my hand is hot so I am waiving it to cool off......

OR............

Bob KVIP Member03 July 2013 21:00:10

7675

We are also on a 24/7 power line but it still goes out a couple of times a week but usually only for a short period.

If you plan on using Air Conditioning the bill goes up....way up.

Power is not cheap and most folks have some sort of backup; either a generator or an inverter (back up battery) system

Bob K

plannerDominican Republic Expert03 July 2013 21:08:36

17080

Bob, I think you did what most of us have done at one point or another....... whooooops, wrong thread.

Bob KVIP Member04 July 2013 05:10:37

7675

Yep still jet lagged. But better this morning. Lo siento

Bob k

ptoptaGuest06 July 2013 02:54:47

214245

what gets me is when they say psssssssssssssssssssst very quiet and they get peoples attention 10 meters away

plannerDominican Republic Expert06 July 2013 03:02:10

17080

Unbelievable hearing!!! Yet they need the music blasting!

Bob KVIP Member06 July 2013 04:03:29

7675

Actually the music is so loud sometimes that I think someone who sets up a hearing aid shop would do well as most must suffer some hearing loss by the age of 30 or so.

Bob K

plannerDominican Republic Expert06 July 2013 14:23:13

17080

Oh Bob, do you think they will admit there is a hearing problem!!!!! LMAO!

Bob KVIP Member06 July 2013 14:35:50

#10

7675

No never just play it a bit louder. My head hurts just thinking about it

Bob K

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