Offensive gestures from around the world
by Josefien De Ridder · Published · Updated
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When you are in a foreign country and don’t speak the local language, hand gestures can be really useful, but it’s important to know what they mean. Some gestures that are innocent in your country can mean something completely different or be considered rude or offensive in other parts of the world. Take our quiz so you don’t get in trouble with the locals!
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Question 1 of 10
1. Question
In what country does the V sign mean to ‘f*** off’?
Correct
Correct! UK – this sign is particularly known and used by hippies to signify peace, but in the UK, if the back of your hand is facing the other person, it is considered to be extremely insulting.
Incorrect
That is not correct! The correct answer is the UK – this sign is particularly known and used by hippies to signify peace, but in the UK, if the back of your hand is facing the other person, it is considered to be extremely insulting.
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Question 2 of 10
2. Question
Where is crossing your arms considered a sign of arrogance?
Correct
Correct! Finland – if you stand with this pose in front of someone in a Finnish bar, you are likely to get into a fight
Incorrect
That is not correct! The correct answer is Finland – if you stand with this pose in front of someone in a Finnish bar, you are likely to get into a fight
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Question 3 of 10
3. Question
In what country does the ‘OK’ sign mean you are a zero?
Correct
Correct! France – in many countries this sign simply means ‘okay’ or ‘perfect!’, but if you do this to a person in France, it means they are a big zero, nada, nothing
Incorrect
That is not correct! The correct answer is France – in many countries this sign simply means ‘okay’ or ‘perfect!’, but if you do this to a person in France, it means they are a big zero, nada, nothing.
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Question 4 of 10
4. Question
In what country do they use the ‘loser sign’ to tell you the price of something?
Correct
Correct! China – No, the street vendor is not telling you that you are a big loser; he is telling you that the item you want to buy costs 8 CNY
Incorrect
That is not correct! The correct answer is China – No, the street vendor is not telling you that you are a big loser; he is telling you that the item you want to buy costs 8 CNY
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Question 5 of 10
5. Question
Where is the ‘come here’ sign seen as an offensive gesture?
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Correct
Correct! Philippines – in many countries this sign is used to beckon dogs or just to ask someone to come a little bit closer, but in the Philippines this gesture is rude and so bad that you can be arrested if caught using it
Incorrect
That is not correct! The correct answer is Philippines – in many countries this sign is used to beckon dogs or just to ask someone to come a little bit closer, but in the Philippines this gesture is rude and so bad that you can be arrested if caught using it
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Question 6 of 10
6. Question
In what country does ‘the horn fingers’ mean that your spouse is cheating on you?
Correct
Correct! Argentina – in the USA this sign is mostly used by rockers at concerts – meaning ‘rock on’ – but in many Mediterannen and Latin countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba and even Spain, Italy and Portugal, this means your spouse is being unfaithful
Incorrect
That is not correct! The correct answer is Argentina – in the USA this sign is mostly used by rockers at concerts – meaning ‘rock on’ – but in many Mediterannen and Latin countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba and even Spain, Italy and Portugal, this means your spouse is being unfaithful
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Question 7 of 10
7. Question
In what country does crossing your index and middle finger mean the same as giving the middle finger?
Correct
Correct! Vietnam – in many western cultures, crossing your index and middle finger is used to wish someone good luck, but in Vietnam this is an obscene gesture and is said to resemble female genitals
Incorrect
That is not correct! The correct answer is Vietnam – in many western cultures, crossing your index and middle finger is used to wish someone good luck, but in Vietnam this is an obscene gesture and is said to resemble female genitals
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Question 8 of 10
8. Question
In what country does a thumbs up have the same meaning as a middle finger?
Correct
Correct! Greece – in many countries, giving a thumbs up means ‘that’s great’, but in other countries such as Greece, Russia and some parts of West Africa, it means ‘up yours’, or ‘sit on it’. So make sure you don’t pose for a photo in front of the Pantheon with your thumbs up!
Incorrect
That is not correct! The correct answer is Greece – in many countries, giving a thumbs up means ‘that’s great’, but in other countries such as Greece, Russia and some parts of West Africa, it means ‘up yours’, or ‘sit on it’. So make sure you don’t pose for a photo in front of the Pantheon with your thumbs up!
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Question 9 of 10
9. Question
Where is the gesture of a thumb tucked under the index finger considered to be aggressively rude?
Correct
Correct! Turkey – usually this gesture doesn’t really have a meaning, except when playing ‘got your nose’ with a child. However, in Turkey this is the same as sticking up your middle finger, so don’t ‘steal the nose’ of a Turkish child in front of their parents
Incorrect
That is not correct! The correct answer is Turkey – usually this gesture doesn’t really have a meaning, except when playing ‘got your nose’ with a child. However, in Turkey this is the same as sticking up your middle finger, so don’t ‘steal the nose’ of a Turkish child in front of their parents
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Question 10 of 10
10. Question
In what country is showing your hand with 5 fingers seen as an insult?
Correct
Correct! Greece – this gesture, also known as a moutza in Greece, means that the person you are pointing to can ‘go to hell’, or that you are going to ‘violate their sister’. The closer you hold your hand to their face, the more threatened it is. So if you want to order 5 shots of ouzo, just kindly say 5 instead of spreading out your palm
Incorrect
That is not correct! The correct answer is Greece – this gesture, also known as a moutza in Greece, means that the person you are pointing to can ‘go to hell’, or that you are going to ‘violate their sister’. The closer you hold your hand to their face, the more threatened it is. So if you want to order 5 shots of ouzo, just kindly say 5 instead of spreading out your palm
