Ken Yasumoto-Nicolson wrote:

> I'm yet to progress to the um-ing and aw-ing in Japanese phase, so I
> don't know if it naturally follows, but I know a couple of gaigin who
> regularly point to the nose, rather than to the chest, to indicate
> "self". To me it always looks like a forced gesture, but I've never
> actually asked the people who do it if it's natural or not, just in
> case they get offended or something. I'm no psychologist or whatever,
> but I would think that it must be forced. What do you lot think?

I'd agree with what 2-belo wrote. I'm pretty sure I point to my face rather
than my chest, but it's not really something you think about consciously.
You mean to say you don't bow when you talk on the phone? As long as you
don't start putting your hand over your mouth when you speak, I wouldn't
worry too much.

-- 
Dave Fossett
Saitama, Japan