Number gesture--using one hand to signify the natural numbers one through ten

Chinese number gestures refers to the Chinese method of using one hand to signify the natural numbers one through ten. This method may have been developed to bridge the many dialects in spoken Chinese-- for example, the numbers 4 and 10 are hard to distinguish in some dialects. Some suggest that it was also used by businessmen during bargaining (i.e. to convey a bid by feeling the hand gesture in a sleeve) when they wish for more privacy in a public place
While the five digits on one hand can easily express the numbers one through five, six through ten have special signs that can be used in commerce or day-to-day communication. The predominant  system is as follows:
Six - The pinky and thumb are extended, other fingers closed, sometimes with the palm facing the signer.
Seven - The fingertips are all touching, pointed upwards; or just the fingertips of the thumb and first two fingers; a less common method is similar to the eight described immediately below, except that the pinky is also extended.
Eight - The thumb and index finger make an "L", other fingers closed, with the palm facing the observer.
Nine - The index finger makes a hook, other fingers closed, sometimes with the palm facing the signer.
Ten - The fist is closed with the palm facing the signer; or the middle finger crosses an extended index finger, facing the observer.