The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SALUTATION GESTURE

WAVING GOODBYE AMONG SICILIANS AND MOST LATIN AMERICANS
ENTAILS CUPPING AND UNCUPPING THE HAND--AS IS COMMON IN
THE U.S. HOWEVER, THIS IS DIRECTED TOWARD'S ONE'S OWN
BODY AND NOT TOWARD THE DEPARTING PERSON. THIS GESTURE
IS REPUTED TO BE A SYMBOLIC YEARNING OF THE OTHER'S SOON
RETURN.

Where learned: FLORIDA ; MIAMI

Keyword(s): CUP THE FINGERS, AND WAVE THEM TOWARD YOURSELF.

Date learned: NOT GIVEN