Mediterranean people are known to be very expressive. They speak loudly, use a variety of idioms and several hand gestures to convey what they mean. But while the Maltese language will remain a mystery to most foreign visitors, the hand gestures need not be so! Here’s a guide to some of the more common hand gestures used by the Maltese people. Don't be surprised if you catch yourself using them towards the end of your stay!

The extended shrug

Let's begin with something more universal: the shrug. In most countries, a shrug involves a movement of the shoulders; in our true Mediterranean style, we use the whole of both arms, palms to the sky. And if Elmo had facial expressions, he would roll his eyes while nodding his head backward. As with all hand gestures, it is hard to put into words. I'd imagine a "What to do?" or "X'taghmel?" (in Maltese) in either the most benevolent or the most frustrated of surrenders.

The facepalm

Slapping the head backward as you do it, the facepalm expresses disbelief. Often used in place of "Int bis-serjeta'?" (Maltese for: 'Are you serious?) It is rather universal, but much enjoyed by the locals.

The bla sens

This one is borrowed from our Italian neighbours, and is reserved for when we find what we are seeing or hearing unpalatable or incomprehensible. It is usually accompanied by a pouting lower lip to denote disgust, unintelligible grumbling or a vocalised complaint in the form of "Eeeeeeeee!" 

The rodd is-salib

The Maltese use the sign of the cross in settings other than the purely religious. Commonly expressed when we see or hear something that is shockingly hard to believe, almost like a prayer to God to give us some faith in what we are witnessing.

The mur l’hemm

Consisting of a casual wave of the hand away from the face, it is the ultimate dismissal. It pretty much translates as, "Go away" or "Take away this nonsense." That could include you!

The fist bite

This one is generally used with young children as a threat of sorts: "Ejja l'hawn ghax ..." fist-bite ("Come here or I'll ..."). Ask any Maltese friend and their parents are bound to have used it on them! It is also used with familiar adults in jest when they get too cheeky. It's actually a pretty intense gesture, if you think about it, as it kind of denotes, "Somebody hold me from beating you!"

The classic

We use some of the more universal gestures too, such as the classic middle finger, when you want to tell someone to f*** off (the most common gesture used on Maltese roads, hands down!) Though an interesting difference it that we like to use two fingers - not sure if this to put an extra accent on the gesture or if we are trying to disguise it to be, um, a little less rude.

So you can technically have an entire conversation with someone without uttering a single word, going through the above motions one after the other. Pretty clever, right? It makes a nice change from everyone talking at once (in true Mediterranean style!) Perhaps this is exactly why hand gestures were invented… as a way of having our say when we can't get a word in!