Hand gestures are a great way to express yourself as well as reinforce your speech. It is almost natural that non-verbal cues are an integral part of our daily conservations, whether consciously or unconsciously. There are universal hand gestures used by people all over the world that imply the same meaning and intent when used. However, some hand gestures have very different meanings in different cultures. A hand gesture that might have one meaning in a context might have a completely opposite meaning in another context. To help you improve your interaction experiences during your travels, we have made a list of some hand gestures that should be distinguished when using them as they can have a rather aggressive meaning in some cultures and others that could be seen as frequently used by locals but which may confuse you.
In general, all over the world, across cultures, the gesture of a thumbs-up means agreement or consent. But in Bangladesh, the Middle East and West Africa, on the other hand, this sign can be very derogatory. In these countries, the thumbs-up sign could mean something like the use of a middle finger in the United States which is extremely rude.
The OK sign:
In most English-speaking countries, the "ok" sign is considered to mean "all is well" or "satisfied/perfect". However, be careful when you use this gesture while you are in Brazil, Germany or Russia. This sign could mean an insult in these countries. In some parts of Latin America, showing this sign to someone could also mean calling them a queer.
The come-here sign:
This sign made by waving your index finger while your palms are facing up usually means that you are asking someone to step forward non-verbally. This is the common use of this gesture in the United States; in Asia, on the other hand, this gesture is degrading. It can be an offensive gesture. It is generally used to lure dogs. Furthermore, in the Philippines, you can be imprisoned or arrested if you use this gesture on a person.
It is a very common gesture that symbolizes peace or victory. It is often shown while taking pictures or even just in everyday conversations; the symbol of victory is quite often present. But to everyone's surprise, the same sign shown with the palms of the hand facing inwards could have an entirely different meaning in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, and other Commonwealth nations. The sign could mean a symbol to defy authorities or declare war.
The rock-hands or the rock-fingers:
We are very familiar with this gesture that we use or have seen in rock concerts among rock music fans to show a sign of enjoyment or solidarity. However, in Mediterranean countries or even in Latin countries, this symbol has a peculiar meaning, that it indicates that one's spouse is cheating. Pay extra attention to this gesture!
Showing the soles of your feet:
It's not just the hands, but also the feet that can get you into trouble. In Arabic countries, sitting down with the soles of your feet turned towards someone is considered a very disrespectful gesture. This is mainly because the foot is the lowest part of the body, so it is not considered a respectful behaviour to show in public to maintain decency. We would advise you to sit with your feet down every time if you are in an Arab country.
Public display of affection:
While in the West, showing affection in public to one's partners is a common scene, in countries like India and other Asian countries it is extremely offensive and should be avoided at all costs to avoid embarrassing situations. In India, kissing in public is totally unacceptable, and it is also a criminal offence. It is usually the common scene in Southern Asia.
