15 hand gestures that have different meanings in different countries

Sometimes language becomes a barrier when traveling abroad. We want to say something, but the locals don’t understand us. Fortunately, body language can help us communicate when words don’t. However, not all hand gestures have the same meaning in many countries. In different parts of the world the same signs can represent completely different things and some of them, in principle innocent, can end up being offensive!

O awesome.club checked the meaning of the same gestures in different parts of the world and believes that everyone should know them before traveling.

USA: It’s OK.

Japan: Money. Sometimes the gesture is done with 3 fingers.

Brazil: In many parts of the country, he ends up being a curmudgeon. Richard Nixon, then President of the United States, gave the OK sign to the waiting crowd, but was met with a resounding boo.

USA: the thumb between the index and middle fingers represents the nose of a child’s face in the game “I caught your nose”.

Turkey: an obscene gesture similar to the middle finger, and also used to show disagreement or to deny a request.

Brazil: a good luck charm to take away the evil eye and jealousy.

Indonesia: an offensive signal.

American Sign Language (ASL): the letter T sign.

USA: peace, also used to mean “V for victory”.

China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand: nothing more than a beautiful pose for photos.

UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland: when the same gesture is made, but with the back of the hand out, it means an insult.

ASL (North American Sign Language): the number 2 sign.

USA: usually use it as a joke, it means “loser”.

China: symbolizes the number 8, considered a lucky number. Knowing how to indicate numbers with your hands is especially useful when trading in China.

USA: okay, it’s also used for hitchhiking.

Iraq, Iran: an insult equivalent to “go to hell, friend!”.

ASL: the thumb up, moving to the left and to the right, is a sign of the number 10. When it stands still and is directed towards another person, it means “yourself”.

USA: or it can mean “extravagant” when someone drinks tea or it is a sign that one is making a promise that must not be broken, also called “the little finger oath”.

China: it’s the same as thumb down. It shows that the person is happy.

USA, Ecuador: “Come here”. It is also used as a sign of seduction.

Philippines: is used to call a dog. It’s derogatory to people and can end up in prison.

USA: means “stop”, the number 5 or “talk to the hand”, an expression that is equivalent to “I will not listen to what you are saying”.

Greece, Sind (province of Pakistan): it is called “mundsa” or “mountza” and is considered an insult.

Mexico, Panama: it is used to say “hello”, but when the hand is fixed or moves repeatedly towards the receiver, it means “you will see!”, warning that the person showing it will report the other to the authorities.

Malaysia: you can use it to greet someone you know, call a waiter, and thank another driver. It’s also used when crossing the street and this is known as “the hand of God” because it looks like you have the power to stop vehicles.

USA: the sign that shows a cut on the neck means, as in Brazil, that you are in a lot of trouble.

Japan: symbolizes “you are fired”. This is due to the word kubi, which means fired from work, and it sounds the same as kubi, which can be interpreted as neck or throat.

USA: it is used to imitate the Italian gesture.

Italy: as in Brazil, it is used when something is not clear. It is the same as the question “What are you saying?”.

Malaysia: They call this gesture “chup”, and it usually means “wait a minute”. But when the sign is directed towards the mouth, it symbolizes “eating”.

ASL: when both hands come together with this gesture, it is equivalent to “kiss”.

USA: waving your hand left and right, with your palm oriented towards the front side of your face, means something smells bad.

Japan: is the same as “no”. “It cannot be done”, “Impossible” or even “No thanks”, are also expressed with this gesture.

USA, Germany: repeatedly rubbing the tip of the index finger and middle finger with the thumb means money.

South Korea: it is a similar gesture, but without rubbing, to form a small heart with your fingers. Symbolizes “love”.

USA: not widely used, but the same as animal ears or horns. It is often done just to make the person appear dizzy or to imitate an animal.

Japan: also known as “the horns of the devil”, the index fingers that point up behind the head are used to say that the person is upset.

USA: as in Brazil, it means wishing good luck.

Vietnam: it is believed to look like the female genitals, and is similar to showing the middle finger.

ASL: the letter R sign.

USA: commonly used by rockers, and when the index finger and pinky go up it’s a sign of approval or “go for it!”

Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Spain, Italy, Portugal: this gesture is made by someone when their spouse is cheating on them.

Which of these hand gestures do you usually use and what does it mean when you use them? Do you know any other signs that represent something completely different in other countries? Comment!