No, this isn’t a section on international sign language! But you should be aware that cultural “sign language” is used in many transactions in Hong Kong. For example, if you and your Cantonese friends were having dim sum at a tea house and the teapot ran out of tea, you would probably see your friends lift the lid up to place it on the rim while leaving the teapot half opened. This is a signal to add water to the teapot.

Once the teapot is full, your friends may add tea to your teacup, but how could you express your appreciation? A common way to do this is by using your fingers (the index and middle fingers) to tap lightly and continuously on the table behind your cup until it is filled. Finally, at the end of the meal, you could discreetly let the waiter know that you want to receive your bill by catching the eye of the waiter and simply drawing a circle in the air repeatedly. Drawing a circle? Of course! Try it and you will see that the waiter will deliver the bill to your table.