10 innocent hand gestures you should never use abroad (2024)

FAQs

10 innocent hand gestures you should never use abroad? ›

The Middle Finger

Despite being called “the universal sign of democracy,” this gesture is often considered offensive. In fact, it's the most obscene thing you can do with your hands. If you don't agree with someone, refrain from giving them the middle finger.

The Middle Finger

Despite being called “the universal sign of democracy,” this gesture is often considered offensive. In fact, it's the most obscene thing you can do with your hands. If you don't agree with someone, refrain from giving them the middle finger.

Some hand gestures that are innocent in the United States are offensive in other countries. The thumbs up, the "OK" sign, and crossing your fingers are all examples of gestures that are vulgar in certain places outside the US.

Thumbs-Up. Avoid using this gesture in: Afghanistan, Iran, parts of Italy, and Greece. The gesture of 'Thumbs-up may look cool on Facebook or USA, but in Afghanistan, Iran, parts of Italy, and Greece, it means "up yours." So, to avoid any awkwardness, next time you must reconsider what you are doing.

Emoji Meaning: A hand with all fingers spread apart, indicating a virtual high-five, wave or "halt" gesture. Emoji Icon:🤟🤟🏻🤟🏼🤟🏽🤟🏾🤟🏿 Emoji Name: Love-you Gesture. Emoji Meaning: The American Sign Language (ASL) sign for "I love you" is gestured by the index finger pointing upward and the thumb and pinky extended.

The middle finger is still used though, and it is considered more insulting. Another variation of the middle finger is used, where all the fingers but the middle one are spread wide while moving the hand back and forth in the axis the middle finger creates.

In Brazil, Greece, Spain, and some Middle Eastern countries, the OK gesture can be seen as obscene. In France, the gesture can mean “worthless.” Those in the many cultures where the OK hand gesture is positive should be mindful of using the OK hand emoji in cross-cultural contexts.

Thumbs-up may mean "good job" or "well done" in America, but in parts of the Middle East and South Asia, the same gesture can be interpreted as an insult. It's like giving someone the middle finger without realizing it – ouch!

Due to Western influence, the thumbs-up sign has become a sign of approval in Japan. However, it is worth noting that the thumbs down is a rude and offensive gesture to the Japanese, unlike the more innocent disapproval that everyone else is used to.

What does 🖕 🖕 mean? ›

The emoji 🖕 is commonly known as the "middle finger" emoji. It is a hand gesture that is considered offensive in many cultures and is used to express contempt, defiance, or disrespect. The gesture involves extending the middle finger upward while keeping the other fingers folded down.

In China, if one holds up a little finger at another, it is usually considered vulgar, just as holding up a middle finger in the United States and other countries is generally regarded as offensive.

Freedom of speech, including vulgarity, is common in such cases. It's been established in U.S. courts that giving the middle finger is a protected activity under the First Amendment. In general, the only communication not protected under freedom of speech is “fighting words,” like threats.

The thumbs up emoji usually just means “o*k.”

The person you're texting is giving you their approval, so take it and leave it! Their 👍 is most likely a good sign and they are just agreeing with what you're saying. Say you asked a friend if they wanted to meet for lunch. Your friend may say “yes” by sending you a 👍 .

Fingertips Kiss: Gently bring the fingers and thumb of your right hand together, raise to your lips, kiss lightly, and joyfully toss your fingers and thumb into the air. This gesture is used commonly in Italy, France, Spain, Greece, and Germany as a form of praise. It can mean sexy, delicious, divine, or wonderful.

Some people also call the sign "deuces," and when they use it they call it "chunking the deuce" as a combination peace and goodbye sign.

Moreover, don't scratch your head, touch your face, put your hands on your hips or adjust your clothing with your hands. If you use distracting hand gestures when public speaking, you will prevent your audience from absorbing what you're saying. Instead, be purposeful with both of your hands.

Hands behind back - This gives the audience the sense that you're hiding something. Fiddling with clothing - This nervous tic will not inspire confidence. Touching face or head - Touching the face may come across as fearful or insincere.

Shaking hands here refers to the quivering that many people experience in their hands when they are under stress, like when speaking in front of people. If you find that you are frequently experiencing quivering hands, it's a sure bet you're experiencing anxiety.