Typical widely known gestures are the nodding and shaking of the head, to communicate 'yes' and 'no' or approval and disapproval, but there are very many more involving the hands. Gestures may be limited to small groups or be understood all over the world, in modern times because of television.

As the term above is defined gestures may also cover things like clothes or marital rings that have a certain conventional meaning, and other things that are worn rather than done, including also expensive watches and cars, that display status and richness.

In any case, it is difficult to draw a precise distinction between apparel, make-up, style of dressing, all of which may be and usually are to some extent signs or symbols, and the mere gesturing that involves intentional movements of parts one's body, since the former and the latter often interdepend, while also there are gestures that are not conscious or only partially conscious, like posture, that often indicates something about one's social standing.