Is there any such thing as a universal sign that all humans will recognize?
A smile
A good solid punch in the nose
Both seem to have pretty clear intentions to all normal humans. Come to think of it most facial expressions seem to cross cultural and linguistic boundaries.
I would suppose that a male grabbing his own genitals suggestively would be universally comprehended as “hey, baby”.
How about a wave, like you’re waving hello? I think that’s pretty much the same in all cultures, but IANAA (Anthropologist)
The golden arches.
Or “I need to go to the bathroom”…
How about pointing, to indicate direction?
There are at least two words universally recognized…
ok and taxi
Holding your hands to mouth as if you were choking could indicate the fact that you are choking.
Rubbing your eyes or yawning to indicate sleepyness.
Poking your index finger into a hole made by connecting the thumb and fore finger of the opposite hand.
Batting your eyes.
Spitting in someone’s eye might mean “Will you marry me?” somewhere, but I have my doubts.
Throwing one’s arms open wide as if to embrace. I would think that says “glad to see you” in any culture.
Waving your hand can also mean “hey, don’t park that thing there”, or “Stop! Stop!”
In some cultures it’s considered the height of rudeness to point your finger.
Holding your hands to your mouth as if you were choking could also mean, “I’ve got something really awful in my mouth and I’d like to spit it out”. Or, “I’m grinning like a maniac at the idiotic thing you just said, but I’m too polite to let you see how I’m laughing at you, so I’m covering my mouth.”
A. “I have something in my eye/I’m bored”.
B. Wouldn’t mean anything if you were talking to a group of nuns.
C. “I have something in my eye.”
Throwing your arms wide can also mean, “I surrender. Shoot me.”
… when the waiter looks at you, scribble on your palm.
The bill will arrive.
Actually, holding both of your hands to your neck is the universal signal for choking.