The Greeks are known as champion gesture users in the Mediterranean. Their hands, bodies and faces are rarely still, and it is sometimes possible to get the gist of a conversation by watching it from 50 meters away. Here are some gestures and interpretations:

No

Instead of shaking heads from side to side, as we do, they have another indescribable way of saying No. This is done by raising the entire head in a backwards movement and clicking the tongue. Sometimes these are too subtle and quick, you can't be too sure that they have answered at all, when really they have said No from the beginning.

Yes

A slow, downward movement of the head to one side, slightly closing the eyes as the head is lowered.

Come Here

The waving of the hand, a kind of pawing of the air with the fingers, palm downwards, indicate this, that looks to foreigners as though they are either waving goodbye or telling you to move back a few steps. This can become confusing, as the further you move back, the more frantic the gesture.

I Want To Tell You Something

This is done by using the above method and then by touching or patting the lower lip, and can easily be misunderstood, as it looks as if you are being told to be quiet.

What Do You Want/Mean?

With a quizzical expression in their eyes, the Greeks will shake their head from side to side a few times. This normally means that they haven't understood what you have asked and want you to repeat it, or they are asking what you want.