Gestures are a fascinating part of human communication—they often say more than words, but their meaning can vary greatly from country to country. What’s considered a friendly gesture in our country might be an insult in another, requiring a lengthy apology at best.

Let’s look at the most common gestures and their “hidden” meanings:

Thumbs up 👍
In our country: “Great!”, “I agree!”, “Okay.”

Abroad: In parts of the Middle East, Greece, or Russia, this gesture can be interpreted as vulgar (similar to a raised middle finger).

Interesting fact: Divers use this gesture exclusively to signal, “We’re ascending.” If you want to say that you’re okay underwater, use the “OK” gesture.

“OK” gesture (thumb and index finger together) 👌
In our country: “Everything’s OK,” “Perfect.”

Abroad:

Brazil and Turkey: Considered a very rude and obscene insult.

France: Can mean “zero” or “worthless.”

Japan: Sometimes symbolizes “money” (similar to the shape of a coin).

“V” as in Victoria or Peace ✌️
In our country: Symbol of victory or peace.

In Great Britain, Australia, and Ireland: Forming a “shell” with the palm of the hand (nails visible) is equivalent to the middle finger. If the palm faces away from you, it’s OK.

“Cuckold” gesture (index and little finger raised) 🤘
In our country: Rock concert, “Heavy Metal!”

Mediterranean region (Italy, Spain): Means “cuckold” – it implies that your partner is having an affair. In these countries, it’s best not to direct this gesture at a specific person!

Texas (USA): Symbol of the University of Austin fans (“Hook ’em Horns”).

Quick overview: What should you avoid?

Gesture: What’s the problem? The meaning of the insult:

Waving the entire palm: Greece: Moutza – an extremely rude gesture of contempt.

Crossed fingers (for good luck): Vietnam: Considered a very rude and obscene gesture.

Pointing: Malaysia/Philippines: Considered an insult (only used to point at animals).

Head movement (up and down): Bulgaria: Attention! Up and down means NO, nodding from side to side means YES.

Why are gestures important?

Our brains process gestures faster than language. When we travel, we unconsciously use our hands to express ourselves when words fail us. That’s when the funniest (or most embarrassing) misunderstandings happen.

The golden rule for travelers: When in doubt, keep your hands in your pockets or only use them for cutlery.

Is there a gesture in a video or photo that you’re unsure about? Describe it to me, and we’ll take a closer look!