15 Gestures You Should Avoid Because They Can Cause Offense Around The World
#1 Finger Crossed
In Vietnam, crossing your fingers, as we would in the U.S. to wish for luck, depicts a woman's genitalia and is considered extremely insulting if aimed at another person. It is the hand-sign alternative of calling someone the c-word.
Just never do this.
#2 The Chin Flick
Brushing the back of your hand underneath your chin in a flicking motion means "Get Lost" in Belgium, northern Italy, and Tunisia. In France, this gesture is known as la barbe ("the beard") and is the hand-sign equivalent of macho grandstanding.
#3 Cutis
In India and Pakistan, this gesture means "I don't care for you or your whole family," basically. You could insult your foreign host's entire family with this little movement. You could even be thrown out on the street.
#4 Fishy Smell
In Southern Italy, this gesture is one we could understand, as it means the phrase "this smells fishy," or "something's fishy." That means you find someone or something untrustworthy, or that you're not going to let someone take advantage of you.
#5 Five Fathers
In Arab and Caribbean countries this gesture implies that you have a disgusting family upbringing. This is a particularly insulting gesture in Saudi Arabia. If you're washing your hands (or are an antsy person) be careful of this gesture.
#6 Crossed Arms
Crossing your arms in front of you is considered a huge sign of arrogance in Finland. Standing with this posture in a bar is likely to get you into a fight.
#7 Forearm Jerk
This is the action of punching your fist into your elbow joint while raising the other fist up in front of you. It will not get you a positive reaction in most parts of southern Europe or Brazil, and it's used commonly by soccer fans wanting to send an offensive message to the fans of the opposing team.
#8 The Fig
A clenched fist with your thumb between your first and second fingers means "screw you" (to put it mildly) in Turkey, Russia, and Indonesia. And in some countries it symbolizes lady parts. You know what I mean.
#9 Thumbs Up
The thumbs-up sign does not mean "that's great" in Australia as it does here. There, it means "up yours" or the painful-sounding "sit on it." Basically, you are telling a person that you hope he gets something inserted up his bottom.
#10 Three-Fingered Salute
In Thailand, the raised arm with three fingers extended (like the gesture used in The Hunger Games) was outlawed after it became a symbol of opposition to the country's military coup in 2012. How very original.
#11 Slapping Your Fist
In France, slapping the palm of your hand over your other fist is seen as an aggressive gesture that suggests you want to beat up the person it's aimed at. It is similar to telling someone to step outside.
#12 Head Shake
Most people assume that nodding your head is the universal sign for "yes" and shaking your head is the sign for "no." But in Greece and Bulgaria, these actions are reversed. This can lead to some serious confusion if you are being hit on or trying to order food off a menu.
#13 Idiota
In Brazil, this basically means "Are you an idiot?" You put a fist to your forehead while having a comical overbite. It takes a little artistic flair and skill to pull off correctly, but it could result in some laughs if you're in good company.
#14 Write-Off
In Greece, this means that you are ignoring the person you are talking to. It's a pretty simple gesture, so it's easy to accidentally do doing conversation.
#15 Moutza
In Greece, Africa, Pakistan this is an aggressive, complicated gesture that means "to hell with you." It is basically pantomiming rubbing dirt or other disgusting substances in the face of your enemy.
