Italians Talking on the Phone

Italians talk with their hands.  You can observe any group of two or more Italians talking and  their hands are moving.  Hands add emotion, emphasis and even meaning.  

So, what about one Italian walking down the street talking on a mobile phone?  Does the person still talk with their hands even though the other person cannot see it?

Yes, of course.  There is no difference. 

We have seen countless Italians on the phone walking, talking, gesticulating.  (For you folks from Ohio, gesticulating means moving your hands.)  At least one hand is conveying emotion and meaning to someone who is not there to see it.  With a hands-free phone, both hands are active. 

For a non-Italian, this behavior is enjoyable to watch because it is out of the ordinary and humorous under the circumstances. 

Of course, if you are raised to talk with your hands, why would you stop just because you are talking on the phone?   Gesticulating is an integral part of communication; nonverbal communication conveys a significant percentage of a person's meaning.  (Ohio people--gesticulating means moving your hands.)   

So, the next time you are walking down a street in Italy, look for persons on mobile phones.  If their hands are moving, they might be Italians.  If not, they are probably from somewhere else, perhaps Ohio.

A typical scene

Willy Wonka.  Not Italian.

It starts at a young age. 

P.S.  Greg is from Ohio.