Love posing with the peace sign? Used to hooking your index finger to beckon someone? Rocking out with your hands too? At home, go ahead. But when you’re abroad, be careful — not all gestures are safe to use. Follow Qiu Qiu and find out which 10 hand gestures you should never make while traveling overseas~
1. The OK Gesture
In France and Belgium, this gesture means “zero” or “worthless.” In Mediterranean countries (like Greece and Turkey), it’s an insult. In Central European countries, Russia, Germany, Brazil, and others, it’s also considered a vulgar gesture.
Avoid using in: Turkey, France, etc.
2. The Reverse V Gesture
In the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and other places, a V sign with the back of the hand facing outward is an insulting way to say “get lost.” So make sure your V sign shows your palm when taking photos.
Avoid using in: UK, Australia, etc.
3. The Thumbs-Up Gesture
It’s common to give a thumbs-up to show approval, or for backpackers hitchhiking. But in many South American countries, Greece, Russia, and more, the “thumbs-up” gesture is as insulting as giving someone the middle finger.
Avoid using in: Greece, Russia, etc.
4. The Heavy Metal Rock Gesture
You often rock out at concerts with the crowd. But this gesture is popular in football-loving countries like Spain, Portugal, Colombia,
Brazil, and Italy — where it’s used to protest a referee’s decision, implying that the ref is so busy making calls his wife is cheating on him.
Avoid using in: Spain,
Brazil, etc.
5. Crossing Index and Middle Fingers
In Vietnam, this is a highly vulgar and obscene gesture, especially when you are looking at someone or introducing someone — never do this. It implies a woman’s genitals.
Avoid using: Vietnam
6 Palm facing out, fingers straight up
In Greece, Pakistan, and some African countries, this gesture is an extreme insult, equivalent to swearing, and also means the speaker’s words are being ignored or not wanted; in Korea, when hailing a taxi or waving to someone, don’t have your palm facing them — that’s how Koreans call their dogs.
Avoid using: Greece, Korea, etc.
7 Hooking the index finger
In the Philippines, never use your index finger to call someone — that’s how you call a dog, and it’s considered very rude; in Singapore and Japan, this gesture signifies death.
Avoid using: Philippines, Singapore, etc.
8 Using the left hand
In countries such as the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka, and Africa, the left hand is traditionally seen as unclean because it is associated with cleaning oneself after using the toilet. So, if you’re left-handed, try to eat with your right hand as much as possible.
Avoid using: India, Sri Lanka, etc.
9 Thumb and index finger forming an '8'
In China, this gesture means the number 8, but in Italy, it represents “something bad.”
Avoid using: Italy
10 Fist and elbow
In Mexico and South America, this implies stinginess or not wanting to pay the bill; in Austria and Germany, it means the person is a “fool,” and even suggests their brain is located at their elbow.
Avoid using: Mexico, Germany, etc.