If you're puzzled about it, here's the deal: it's a high probability you may have just made a rude gesture at the locals but thankfully not enough to start a riot that wants to lop off your head.
Before you go on your next holiday, check out some of the more common hand gestures thought to be harmless, but not so elsewhere.
Who knows, it might save you from making an embarrassment of yourself!
Thumbs Up
Many make the mistake that this show of fist with the thumb sticking upward signifies a positive message, such as ‘good’, ‘excellent’, and ‘good luck’.
Not so in Latin America, West Africa, Greece, Russia, Sardinia, southern Italy, and especially the Middle East, as it conveys the same message as what the middle finger is to the lot of us!
A-OK
With your index finger and thumb forming a circle while the rest of your fingers are stretched out, this signifies ‘OK’, ‘good’ and other similar positive expressions to us.
But you might not want to show this to the Brazilians, Germans and some other Mediterranean folks, as this action conveys the term ‘a-hole’ and ‘faggot’ to them.
Peace
Giving someone the ‘V’ sign with your index and middle finger showing toward yourself is considered an insult to the people of Great Britain, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand.
It may be a ‘peace’ sign to us whichever way our hands may be facing, but unless you're ready for a fight, you may want to avoid giving them this gesture, which contrary to popular belief, is the sign for ‘this is war’.
The Palm
The instance where your palm is opened and fingers stretched out to your intended target may seem like a friendly motion of saying 'hi',
but do that in Greece and you will inadvertently insult the locals. Known as a 'moutza', it basically carries a rude connotation similar to the American version of ‘talk to the hand’.
Innocently common hand gestures? Think again. One man's salute is another man's insult. Travel wise, and travel smart!
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