No, no, you've got it all wrong — it's just an expression! Like saying hello! Ciao!

[ He waves his hands in the air loosely as he speaks, always animated, expressive. Why was this not being grasped? And... where is he, exactly? He doesn't want to bother asking, thinking maybe it's best if he pretends he knows what's going on... But with each passing moment, he gets the distinct feeling he's not in Portorosso. Or Genova, not that he'd ever been. He's wondering if he's even in Italy at all... Maybe a little girl is a more trustworthy source of information — or at least a less intimidating one — than trying to find some adult to help him out... Nah. Play it cool, but... he's got this. Probably. Maybe. Hopefully. ]

It's how locals greet each other... here, right?

[ Vague enough to... maybe coax out some information without asking outright. ]