Nodding Greeting = affirmative reply; agreement.Shaking one's head = Negative reply; disagreement.
Bowing Greeting = great respect.
Touching child's head = Not appreciated, but not offensive.
Avoiding eye contact = Showing respect to people senior in age or status or of the opposite sex.
Winking = Not decent, especially when directed at people of the opposite sex.
Frowning = Showing frustration. anger. or worry.
Pouting = Disdain.
Smiling = Agreement; embarrassment; disbelief; mild disagreement; appreciation; apology.
Shaking hands = Friendly greeting between men (but not the elderly); not customary between women or between a man and a woman; acceptable between a Vietnamese woman and non-Vietnamese man.
Palm of right hand out fingers moving up and down several times = "Come here." Not used to people senior in age or status.
Middle finger crossing over forefinger or forefinger crossing over middle finger with the other fingers closed over the palm = Obscene gesture.
Middle finger pointing, other fingers closed = No meaning.
Thumb down, other fingers closed = No meaning.
Thumb upright, other fingers closed = No meaning.
Forefinger and top of thumb meet to form circle, other fingers upright = "Zero." Poor quality.
Palm of right hand facing oneself, forefinger crooked and moving back and forth = Offensive to adults; threatening to children.
Holding hands with or putting an arm over the shoulder of a person of the same sex = Friendly gesture, no sexual connotation
Holding hands with or putting an arm over the shoulder of a person of the opposite sex = Not usually done in public.
Crossing arms = Sign of respect.
Placing one or both hands in the pockets or on the hips while talking = Arrogance, lack of respect.
Patting a person's back, especially those senior in age or status = Disrespect.
Pointing to other people while talking = Disrespect, threatening.
Whistling at performers = Displeasure.
Putting one's feet on a table or sitting on a desk while talking = Rude.
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