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Travel Tip: 5 Innocent Hand Gestures That Can Totally Get You in Trouble

April 1, 2010

A lot of people are traveling this time of the year, and if you’re planning a trip overseas, it might be good to know that not all hand gestures mean the same thing around the world. Here are five innocent (and quite commonly used) gestures that could totally get you in trouble in another country.

Thumbs Up

This signifies approval, right? “Good job!”…. “Well done!”…. “All right!” Well, not in most of Latin America, West Africa, Greece, Russia and Italy —- where it basically means “Up Yours!” You’ll definitely want to avoid using this in the Middle East, where it’s considered so offensive you can get arrested for it in several countries. [Source]

The OK Sign

Good to know: The OK sign is NOT OK to use in Mediterranean countries and the South Americas. While the actual rude gesture signifying “a-hole!” has the middle, ring and little finger curved rather than straight, it’s easy to see how people unfamiliar with the “OK” sign might react badly to its use. [Source]

The Peace Sign

When flashing the “Peace” or “Victory” sign (or even the number 2) in the UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand, you might want to be careful about the direction your hand is facing. If the outside of your hand is facing your target, you’re delivering The V (also known as the “two-fingered salute”) — which is kind of like flipping someone the bird. [Source]

Lucky Fingers

This one kind of freaked me out, because I can totally see myself using this gesture to say “Hey girlfriend! Let’s sit together! Save me a seat!” or to ask people posing for a picture to “Get closer together! You don’t fit in the frame!”

In Egypt, if you tap your two index fingers together, side-by-side, you’re apparently asking someone to sleep with you. Awkward. [Source]

The Moutza

I’m actually dying to use this. heehee. A moutza — thrusting your hand out at someone, palm outward with all fingers extended — is the most traditional gesture of insult among the Greeks. (There’s even a video!)

So if you ever find yourself in Greece (or Pakistan, where showing the palm is also insulting), you’ll probably want to be careful about the way you say “Stop!”

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