Around the World in 18 Gestures

18 GESTURES OFFENSIVE GESTURES THE CHIN FLICK (BELGIUM, FRANCE, NORTHERN ITALY, TUNISIA) WHAT IT IS: Brushing your hand under the chin in a forward flicking motlon. WHAT IT MEANS: "Get lost (In a more aggressive language); an insulting gesture typlcally used in arguments. THE FIG (TURKEY, RUSSIA, INDONESIA) WHAT IT IS: Clenching your hand into a fist with your thumb protruding between the first two fingers. WHAT IT MEANS: Basically, "screw you". It also symbolizes female genitalia in some countries, as the lItalian word for the female vulva (fica) means fig. THE FOREARM JERK (FRANCE, SOUTHERN EUROPE, BRAZIL) WHAT IT IS: Slapping one hand down on the opposite bicep, raising that arm into a fist. WHAT IT MEANS: In France, it's called the bras d'honneur (arm of honor - which is sarcastic). This gesture is the equivalent of giving someone the middle finger and means "up yours". THE MOUTZA (GREECE, MEXICO, MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA) WHAT IT IS: Thrusting your spread hand towards another person with your palm facing them. WHAT IT MEANS: Similar to "talk to the hand", the gesture denotes displeasure towards the reciplent. The origin of this gesture is sald to be Byzantine, when crinminals were shamed by rubbing handfuls of cinder (moutzos) over their faces. THE CUTIS (INDIA, PAKISTAN) WHAT IT IS: Basicaly a thumbs up, except you push the nall on your thumb against your front teeth and flick, whilst Saying "cuttal". WHAT IT MEANS: Put simply, this gesture means F** you. FIVE FATHERS (ARAB COUNTRIES, CARIBBEAN) WHAT IT IS: Pointing your left index finger at your right hand, while grouping all fingers on the right hand together. WHAT IT MEANS: "You have five fathers - an Insulting way of saying your mother is a whore'. This insult is extremely offensive and almost certain to provoke violence. MISUNDERSTOOD GESTURES NODDING/SHAKING HEAD "OK" In most parts of the world, nodding the head symbolizes "Yes" and shaking the The 'OK' sign can cause serious offence if used in Greece, Spain, or Brazil as it symbolises a body orifice; if you use this symbol you are calling someone an a*hole. In Turkey it's meant to be an insult towards gay people. head side to side means "No". This is reversed in Greece and Bulgaria, where nodding the head up and down means "NO" and shaking/tilting the head In some Middle Eastern countries, such as Kuwait, the "OK" sign signifies the evil eye. either side means "Yes". CROSSED FINGERS "ROCK ON" In Vietnam, crossed fingers are said to resemble a woman's genitals, and are considered especially heinous when directed at another person specifically. The symbol for rockers everywhere also has another meaning in Spain, Italy and Greece, where it is used to signify that your wife is sleeping with someone else! BECKONING SIGN THUMBS UP In most American and European cultures, the thumbs up is an indicator of a job well done, or "that's great". The "come here" gesture is one of the worst signals you can use in the Philippines - as they think it's so rude and offensive they only use it for dogs. You can even get arrested for using this gesture! This is also considered a rude gesture in many other parts of the world, including Slovakia, East Asia and Singapore. However, be wary of using this hand sign in Australia, Greece or the Middle East as it basically means "up yours" or "sit on this". GESTURES AROUND THE WORLD >» AUSTRIA To wish someone good luck make two fists (thumbs tucked in) and make a gesture like you are slightly pounding on a table. >> FINLAND Standing with you arms crossed is considered a sign of arrogance. >> FRANCE Two vulgar gestures in France would be to snap the fingers of both hands, or slap an open palm over a closed fist. >> RUSSIA Shaking hands across a threshold is considered unlucky. In fact, some delivery services in Russia refuse to conduct a transition across a threshold. >> THAILAND In 2014, the 3 fingers and raised arm salute (used in The Hunger Games") became the unofficial symbol of opposition to Thailand's May 22 military coup. The junta later declared this gesture illegal. >>> INDIA It is extremely offensive to show the sole of your shoe/foot to someone, and you should avoid using your feet to point or touch objects with. This is due to feet being unclean and the lowest part of the body. SOURCES www.globalbusinessleadership.com I www.lonelyplanet.com | www.washingtonpostcom | www.languagetrainers.co.uk hotelcontractbeds.co.uk Hotel @hotelmattress Contract f facebook.com/HotelContractBeds WORLD IN GLa