Japanese Facial Expressions: Pucker Up

As I mentioned in the previous post, Japanese men do not puff out their cheeks to show anger as women do, but all Japanese will pucker their lips to show frustration or when contemplating over news just received, especially if it's something they didn't want to hear. They've hit a wall, and this face means their thinking about how to respond or what to do next. "what's plan B?"  It's very common, and I find myself using this gesture unconsciously.

It may also come with a very audible sound of sucking in air through the teeth. This also shows contemplating what's next or if their uncomfortable in a conversation.

Japanese Facial Expressions:The Pouty Face

When I first came to Japan over a decade ago(oh, my god!), one of the first things that confused me and I thought was  funny was seeing adult Japanese women making this silly pouty face. I couldn't understand it. They'd scowl and puff out their little cheeks like chipmunks. Where they joking? In the west, only little kids act like that. Well, now I know better. It may look childish to us, but watch out guys. If your Japanese girlfriend shows you this face, it means she is genuinely angry with you and should be taken seriously. The Japanese are not usually overly emotional in public and this face is a socially acceptable way for women to show their anger without looking too angry. And anyway, it is kind of cute.

I can't take credit for these photos. I found them online because I couldn't get anyone to model for me. By the way, you never see Japanese men puff out their cheeks like this, at least not if their straight.

Japanese Gestures: "Money"



In Japan

 In America, to gesture "money", we rub the fingers together as if rubbing money bills together. In Japan, they make a circle with the thumb and index finger that looks like a coin.


In America



Japanese Gestures: "Girlfriend", "Boyfriend"



"girlfriend"



For life in Japan,  they have gestures for "girlfriend" or "boyfriend". Girlfriend is made by extending the pinky finger. It's sometimes used in a slightly lewd way to indicate a mistress or secret lover. I've seen this gesture many times.

My wife tells me there is a similar gesture for boyfriend by extending the thumb. I've never really seen this, though I'm not a girl. I suspect it's not as common because it might be confused with "Thumbs up".



"Boyfriend"



The origin of these gestures might be the meaning or names of the finger "family". There is a member of the family associated with each finger of the hand:

Thumb- "Otosan yubi" Father finger. (Also known as the Parent finger)

Index Finger- "Okasan yubi" Mother finger

Middle Finger- "Onisan yubi" Brother finger

Ring Finger- "Onesan yubi" Sister finger

Pinky- "Akachan yubi" Baby Finger



There are superstitions associated with the thumb or parent finger. For example, if you see a hearse, you should hide your thumb or you won't see your parents when they die. To read more, check out my article on Japanese Superstitions.





Japanese Gestures: Counting to five on the hand

one

 In America, if you count to 5 on the hand, we start with a fist. Then, extend the index finger(pointing finger) for 1 and after, extend each finger in sequence, finishing with the thumb at 5 with an open palm.

In Japan, many people do almost the opposite. They start with an open palm, bend the thumb for 1, then the index finger for 2 and so on, finishing with the pinky at 5 with a fist. Again, my wife objects saying not all Japanese count like that and many do the American way. But, I have seen this so many times in my classes or on TV. It's very common. And, I have never, ever seen this way to count in America. Personally, I can't count like this. It doesn't feel natural. If I don't look,

I can't remember what number I'm on. This way of starting with the thumb might come from the fact that the  thumb is known as the "Father finger" or "Parent finger" and is considered the most important. Japan is a country where honoring one's parents and ancestor worship are extremely important.



two





three




four




five



Japanese Gestures: "Don't, No"



In Japan





 In America, if you want to gesture to someone, "No", or not to do something, particularly to children, we wave our index finger back and forth. In Japan, they wave the whole hand back and forth in the same meaning, but it is used in many more situations. It is used to mean a negative response to a question like, "No, it wasn't me.", "I didn't do that.", or "That's wrong." It's a very common gesture used with adults, not just used to scold children.





In America

Japanese Gestures: "Who me?"

In Japan


 In America, if someone is calling you, and you say "Who me?", we gesture by pointing to the chest. In Japan, they point to the nose or face. My wife insists she never uses this gesture, instead opting for the western one, but it is common, believe me. 

 





In America