Answer:
The meaning of gestures is not universal.
Step-by-step explanation:
Non-verbal communication is a very important form of social communication, especially through gestures, that is, body movements that have some meaning or try convey some non-verbal message. However, while psychologists think that gestures are universal and present in all human cultures, the meaning of gestures is not universal and can vary quite widely between cultures. For example, the OK sign is considered as a positive gesture in most Western cultures, but it is considered rude and offensive in Brazil and some Middle Eastern countries. In some other cases, the meaning can be more subtle, as in the case of pointing. Travel guides suggest that pointing at someone with a finger is considered extremely rude in China and in other East Asian cultures, and that pointing with an open hand is the correct way to do it. In this case, Jill offended her boyfriend's family because she wasn't aware of what that gesture meant in China. It's probable she comes from a culture where pointing at someone with a finger doesn't carry the same negative connotation.