The Texas Longhorn Sign
Learn from my mistakes and leave your Texas pride at home. The longhorn sign, often a fun sign thrown around in Texas, is one of the most offensive signs in Italy. When you direct this gesture at someone you are calling them a “cornuto(a)” and are insinuating that their boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband is cheating on them.
2. The Head Nod
Ok, try this. Look straight ahead, dip your head down and then kick it up while making a little “tisk” sound. Perfetto! You must be Italian! This body language cue has been the source of hundreds of misunderstandings between my husband and me since we met nine years ago.
You see, in America when we nod our heads up and down (or even down and up) it would signal affirmation. In Italy, it is the opposite.