Through non-verbal communication, psychology can explain the meaning of gestures and what they say about your personality In many places, especially in , a gesture has become almost an urban code: when a pedestrian crosses the street and a car brakes to let them pass, the pedestrian raises their hand in gratitude. It is a simple gesture, but psychology says it can say much more about the personality of the person who does it. Each person behaves differently, but there are always social patterns or repetitive behaviours because they are part of a series of universal signals used to communicate without speaking. Today we are going to talk about a very unusual gesture.
Psychology: what is the meaning of the gesture of gratitude when crossing the street
Our gestures say much more than we think. Certain movements or actions can reveal even our most intimate emotions. One of the most common gestures is to thank someone with your hand when they let you cross the street. But what is the meaning of this gesture?
In this world, there are two types of people: those who thank a car when it lets them cross the street and those who simply cross the street without making any gesture.
According to psychology, the gesture of raising one’s hand in gratitude is associated with people with a high level of empathy. After all, it is not just a matter of complying with a norm of courtesy: those who make this gesture are usually able to put themselves in the other person’s shoes and recognise the effort of the driver who stopped to let them cross.
This visual sign of gratitude also creates a small human exchange in a context where tension prevails. From a psychological point of view, these “micro-acts of kindness” increase the feeling of security and a more positive perception of life.
Undoubtedly, emotional intelligence is also a key factor. People who make this gesture are generally better at dealing with their emotions, even in stressful situations. They recognise another person’s contribution, however small, and create positive connections in brief interactions.
If you are one of those who thanks the driver with a wave of the hand, you have a unique personality.
This behaviour is common in people who have developed strong social skills and tend to maintain healthy interpersonal relationships.
This gesture becomes habitual, despite the rush and hustle and bustle of everyday life, which means that many trivial gestures go virtually unnoticed. But this gesture undoubtedly has great significance and can tell us a lot about the people who usually do it.
