Every one of you knows it. One car after another, and you wait in vain at the crosswalk. Some drivers do not pay much attention to pedestrians because they consider themselves to be the main road users; others, on the other hand, show humanity. They stop to let you cross quickly and you raise your hand in thanks. Although this is a simple gesture that doesn’t seem to matter, psychologists have a different opinion. According to them, this small gesture speaks volumes about your personality traits.

The gesture of thanks

You probably think that saying thank you is part of basic ethics, it is automatic and you do it without thinking. However, unlike normal face-to-face interactions, in a public space these gestures have a much deeper meaning and are not so obvious. Some psychologists focus on prosocial behavior that explores these gestures and that manifests itself in keeping society running smoothly. They have discovered that people who use a wave, nod or eye contact to say thank you are much more likely to show empathy, conscientiousness, helpfulness and tolerance. These people see thoughtfulness as part of their personality and feel happier.

“Researchers studying gratitude have found that being grateful and expressing it to others is good for our health and happiness. Not only does it make us feel good, but it also helps us build trust and closer bonds with those around us. People who take the time to show this common courtesy care about others and share similar qualities,” explained psychologist Jill Suttie.

A simple gesture can mean a lot to others. ━━ A simple gesture can mean a lot to others. ( Source: A1.VIEWS / Shutterstock )

Psychological profiles

If you react by waving or nodding when crossing the road, it means you are an individual with high social awareness. You value harmonious relationships and are distant from recklessness. Thus, according to psychologists, you belong to one of these groups.

  1. High cognitive empathy: When you find yourself in the role of a pedestrian, you think especially about not holding up traffic or being a nuisance. You can empathize with the role of the driver, which is demanding of caution. If he or she gives you the right of way, your wave is a sign of gratitude and understanding.
  2. Prosocial: Acknowledging a driver’s helpfulness by raising your hand is just a small gesture. Most of the time, you show up in the community with many other gestures or everyday acts of kindness to contribute to greater compassion and empathy in today’s world.
  3. Strong social intelligence: you are very good at recognizing actions that other people do not see. This invisible work is not appreciated, such as slowing down a driver. You are all the more able to appreciate such situations.
  4. Polite Personality: You are one of those individuals who are pleasant and courteous in every situation. When you witness a kind gesture, “you want other people to behave that way too. At the same time, you are open to anyone who wants to follow a similar personality path.
  5. Acknowledging the quid pro quo rule: If you witness similar situations, such as a show of hands, you believe in honoring one rule. Kindness should always be rewarded because it deserves recognition.

Conclusion

If you have been thinking of a show of hands as a thank you as an insignificant gesture, you should change that. It shows what your personality is like and how you treat other people. Experts generally agree that gratitude is not a given, and people who can appreciate others excel in society. “When people witness expressions of gratitude, they see that a grateful person is one who notices when other people do kind things and actually takes the time to appreciate them – that means they are a good social partner. People who are helpful as social partners are really desirable,” notes Sara Algoe of the University of North Carolina.