Are there any cultures in which the “thumbs up” hand gesture is offensive?

The thumbs-up gesture is commonly used in many cultures to signify a job well done. ... However, it is considered a rude gesture in Slovakia, China, East Asia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and many other parts of the world. It's also considered extremely impolite to use this gesture with people.

1. In what cultures is a thumbs up bad?
2. What gestures are offensive in other countries?
3. Are thumbs up offensive in Italy?
4. Is a thumbs up offensive in Latin America?
5. What does a thumbs up mean in different cultures?
6. What is the rude finger in Korea?
7. What is the meaning of 👌?
8. Is thumbs up rude in Japan?
9. Why is the V sign offensive?
10. Is the middle finger offensive in Europe?
11. Is a thumbs up emoji rude?
12. Where did the middle finger become offensive?

In what cultures is a thumbs up bad?

1. Thumbs Up. In Iran, Greece, Russia, Sardinia, and parts of West Africa the thumbs up is as rude as the middle finger is in the UK. So no posing in front of the Parthenon making the thumbs up gesture like a nerdy tourist.

What gestures are offensive in other countries?

10 Common Hand Gestures That Are Rude in Other Countries

• Some handy precautions. ...
• Iran: Thumbs-up. ...
• United Kingdom: Backwards peace sign. ...
• Malaysia: Pointing with your index finger. ...
• Brazil: The “OK” sign. ...
• Italy and Spain: “Hang loose” (or the “rock on” sign) ...
• Thailand: Touching someone's head.

Are thumbs up offensive in Italy?

Thumbs-Up. The thumbs-up signals approval in the U.S. and on Facebook, but in Afghanistan, Iran, parts of Italy, and Greece, it means “up yours.” So next time you're trying to hitchhike in, say, Tuscany, you should reconsider before sticking out your thumb. Avoid Using In: Afghanistan, Iran, parts of Italy, and Greece.

Is a thumbs up offensive in Latin America?

It has some information on the top 10 hand gestures not to use in foreign countries. The second is the "thumbs up". It appears to be an insult in most of Latin America, West Africa, Sardinia, southern Italy, and the Middle East.

What does a thumbs up mean in different cultures?

The thumbs-up gesture is a sign of approval in most countries. However, in several countries in West Africa and the Middle East, including Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan, the gesture has the connotation of "up yours!" It's used the same way the middle finger is in the US.

What is the rude finger in Korea?

Come over here! If we want to beckon someone to come towards us, we usually hold out our hand, palm facing up, and move the fingers toward ourselves. This is considered very rude in Korea, where people instead normally hold out their hand palm facing down, and then wave their fingers inwards.

What is the meaning of 👌?

The OK gesture or OK sign or ring gesture (Unicode symbol U+1F44C "👌") is performed by connecting the thumb and index into a circle, and holding the other fingers straight or relaxed away from the palm. Commonly used by divers, it signifies "I am OK" or "Are you OK?" when underwater.

Is thumbs up rude in Japan?

In Japan, thumbs up mean a sign of agreement. However, it also means 'a lover' in a rude way. ... However, you must try not to offend the host when communicating in sign language. And, you will be using it too often.

Why is the V sign offensive?

The V sign, when the palm is facing toward the person giving the sign, has long been an insulting gesture in the United Kingdom, and later in Ireland, Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan and New Zealand. It is frequently used to signify defiance (especially to authority), contempt, or derision.

Is the middle finger offensive in Europe?

In southern Europe it's a lot like giving someone the middle finger. In England and Germany it is a rude and threatening gesture telling you to 'get lost' and can also be a sexual gesture about women, but it is usually only used for this meaning without a woman's presence.

Is a thumbs up emoji rude?

The “thumbs up” emoji may look like harmless enough, but rest assured it is the most passive-aggressive of all the emojis at your disposal. It's a dismissive kiss-off, meted out with a single flick of the finger. It's a close cousin of the middle-finger emoji, for people not brave enough to use the middle-finger emoji.

Where did the middle finger become offensive?

The story goes that English soldiers waved their fingers at French soldiers who had threatened to cut off captured archers' first two fingers to prevent them shooting arrows. The English were thus boasting they were still capable of doing so.