Body language is powerful — but it doesn’t always translate the same way everywhere. A gesture that’s friendly and polite in one culture can come across as rude or even offensive in another. Here are ten common gestures you’ll want to think twice about before using abroad.
1. The “OK” Sign
- Polite in: The U.S. and many Western countries, where it means “okay” or “perfect.”
- Rude in: Brazil, Turkey, and parts of Europe, where it can be seen as an obscene insult.
2. Thumbs-Up
- Polite in: Most of the world, where it means “good job” or “all good.”
- Rude in: Middle Eastern countries, parts of West Africa, and Greece, where it’s equivalent to a very offensive hand gesture.
3. The V-Sign
- Polite in: The U.S., where it often means “peace” or “victory.”
- Rude in: The U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand — but only if you flash it palm-inward (back of the hand facing outward).
4. The “Fig” (Thumb Between Fingers)
- Polite in: Russia, where it can symbolize good luck or even be used as a playful charm.
- Rude in: Turkey, Indonesia, and some Mediterranean countries, where it’s a crude gesture.
5. The “Moutza”
- Polite in: A raised open palm might look friendly elsewhere.
- Rude in: Greece, where showing someone your open palm (especially thrust forward) is a deep insult dating back to ancient times.
6. The Forearm Jerk
- Polite in: Nowhere, really — but in some countries, flexing your biceps can be seen as showing strength.
- Rude in: Italy, France, and some other parts of Europe, where the classic bras d’honneur (slapping your bicep with the other hand) is a strong vulgar insult.
7. The Chin Flick
- Polite in: Almost never polite — but sometimes just playful.
- Rude in: France, Belgium, and parts of Italy, where flicking the fingers from under the chin means “I don’t care” or worse.
8. The Finger Beckon
- Polite in: The U.S. and Europe, where curling a finger usually means “come here.”
- Rude in: The Philippines, Japan, and parts of Asia, where it’s considered demeaning and is only used for calling animals.
9. Using the Left Hand
- Polite in: Western countries, where it usually makes no difference.
- Rude in: Much of the Middle East, India, and parts of Africa, where the left hand is traditionally reserved for “unclean” tasks.
10. Crossed Fingers
- Polite in: The U.S. and Europe, where it’s a symbol of good luck.
- Rude in: Vietnam, where crossed fingers resemble female genitals and are considered highly inappropriate.
Final Thought:
Gestures may be small, but they carry big meaning across cultures. What’s friendly in one country could get you into serious trouble in another. When in doubt, it’s always safer to stick to a smile — that’s one gesture that translates everywhere.
Credit:brightside.me
