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           During the Hajj (Pilgrimage), people may kiss only on
the shoulders as a gesture of friendship and greeting.

           Flipping the hand near the mouth and simultaneously
making a clicking sound with the tongue and teeth is used to
indicate that a person is not to worry.

           By holding the right hand in front of the face with the
back facing fgorward and then flipping the hand so that the palm
is up, the Arab will indicate the negative or "No."

      Open hand, palm down, pointed in a particular direction and
accompanied by the phrase "Il-Khamsi bil'een"  (The five in the
eyes)  is a gesture to ward off the evil eye.

           Shaking the index finger sideways is similar to the
Western   gesture which connotes "Mo'1 or indicates the negative.

           A snap of the forefinger or middle finger on the thumb
is similar to the Western gesture which indicates the individual
"forgot something.

           A gentle graze of the chin of another person with the
right fist of a friend is an admonition not to argue.

           Holding the right hand, with the back forward, and
lightly brushing the tips of fingers beneath the chin several
times with a forward motion is an old sign of an insult.

Im~ortant Note:   Gestures indicating obscenities or insults
should not be used by a non-Arab.   Arab gestures ot this type
have varying degrees of intensity.   Depending upon circumstances
and country,  incorrect usage could lead to serious offenses and
cause diplomatic incidents.


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