The Definitive Book of BODY LANGUAGE

Pointing finger = “Do it or else!”

symbolic club with which the speaker figuratively beats his listeners into submission. Subconsciously, it evokes negative feelings in others because it precedes a right overarm blow, a primal move most primates use in a physical attack

When couples walk hand in hand, the dominant partner, often the man, walks slightly in front with his hand in the above position, palm facing backward, while she has her palm facing forward. This simple little position immediately reveals to an observer who wears the loincloths in that family

the other person was someone of equal status, he might resist a Palm-Down request and would be more likely to comply if you'd used the Palm-Up position. If the person is your subordinate, the Palm-Down gesture is seen as acceptable because you have the authority to use it

Turning your palm from facing
upward to facing downward completely
alters how others perceive you

Palm-Down = authority

If you want someone to talk, you can use the Palm-Up as a “handover” gesture to let them know you expect them to talk and that you're ready to listen

The palm facing up is used as a submissive, nonthreatening gesture, reminiscent of the pleading gesture of a street

There are three main palm command gestures: the Palm-Up position, the Palm-Down position, and the Palm-Closed-Finger-Pointed position

And if you are talking with your palms exposed, it puts even more pressure on the other person to be truthful, too