{"id":1810,"date":"2023-05-04T15:43:03","date_gmt":"2023-05-04T13:43:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vasco-electronics.com\/articles\/?p=1810"},"modified":"2024-08-20T15:49:26","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T13:49:26","slug":"9-gestures-to-avoid-while-abroad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/languages\/9-gestures-to-avoid-while-abroad\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Gestures To Avoid While Abroad"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you planning a trip to a country you\u2019ve never been to?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most important things to do before traveling is to <\/span><b>research the culture and customs of the country you are visiting<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This is especially important when it comes to gestures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why is that? Well, gestures are a universal <a href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/vasco\/situations-abroad-need-translator-help\/\">language<\/a> that we all use on a daily basis. They are also an important part of our culture and identity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, there are some <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gestures to avoid while abroad<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They may not be offensive in your country, but are in another.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is why it is important to be aware of these nuances <a href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/travel\/\">when traveling abroad<\/a>. You don\u2019t want to offend people and cause serious problems on the trip of your dreams!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>But don\u2019t worry. In this article, we&#8217;ll learn which mannerisms and gestures to avoid and see how to avoid rude gestures when traveling.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents:<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e9c491d74af\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" style='display:none' id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e9c491d74af\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/languages\/9-gestures-to-avoid-while-abroad\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/languages\/9-gestures-to-avoid-while-abroad\/#The_peace_%E2%80%9CV%E2%80%9D_sign_dont_turn_your_hand_away\" >The peace \u201cV\u201d sign: don\u2019t turn your hand away<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/languages\/9-gestures-to-avoid-while-abroad\/#The_%E2%80%9COK%E2%80%9D_sign_is_it_really_OK\" >The \u201cOK\u201d sign: is it really OK?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/languages\/9-gestures-to-avoid-while-abroad\/#The_thumbs_up_approval_or_fck_you\" >The thumbs up: approval or f*ck you?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/languages\/9-gestures-to-avoid-while-abroad\/#Fingers_crossed_not_always_just_a_wish_for_luck\" >Fingers crossed: not always just a wish for luck<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/languages\/9-gestures-to-avoid-while-abroad\/#The_devils_horn_evil_or_protecting_from_evil\" >The devil\u2019s horn: evil or protecting from evil?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/languages\/9-gestures-to-avoid-while-abroad\/#Head_shake_even_that_can_go_wrong\" >Head shake: even that can go wrong<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/languages\/9-gestures-to-avoid-while-abroad\/#%E2%80%9CCome_here%E2%80%9D_gesture_we_wish_it_wasnt_that_ambiguous\" >\u201cCome here\u201d gesture: we wish it wasn\u2019t that ambiguous<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/languages\/9-gestures-to-avoid-while-abroad\/#The_mountza_dont_make_people_%E2%80%9Ctalk_to_the_hand%E2%80%9D\" >The mountza: don\u2019t make people \u201ctalk to the hand\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/languages\/9-gestures-to-avoid-while-abroad\/#Hands_in_the_pockets_are_you_relaxed_or_just_dont_care\" >Hands in the pockets: are you relaxed or just don\u2019t care?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/languages\/9-gestures-to-avoid-while-abroad\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 20px;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"question1\">What common gestures in the United States might get you into trouble abroad?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"answer1\">Avoid showing the middle finger, putting your fingers to your neck, and keeping hands in pockets during official situations.<\/div>\n<h4 class=\"question2\">What is a rude hand gesture in the Middle East?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"answer2\">There are several offensive gestures in the Middle East, but the universal one to avoid would be showing an open hand towards someone (&#8220;moutza&#8221;).<\/div>\n<h4 class=\"question3\">Do hand gestures mean the same anywhere in the world?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"answer3\">No. Hand gestures can hold completely different meanings depending on the place in the world.<\/div>\n<h4 class=\"question4\">What do V fingers mean?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"answer4\">It can mean &#8220;victory&#8221; in British culture but it can also be offensive. In some cultures, it&#8217;s considered a sign of disrespect.<\/div>\n<h4 class=\"question5\">What is considered a vulgar gesture?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"answer5\">There are several vulgar gestures. Generally, the most vulgar one is the classic &#8220;middle finger&#8221;.<\/div>\n<h4 class=\"question6\">What hand gestures are offensive in different cultures?<\/h4>\n<div class=\"answer6\" style=\"margin-bottom: 40px;\">There are several offensive hand gestures. To name the major ones: moutza, &#8220;V&#8221; sign, &#8220;OK&#8221; sign, thumbs up, and devil&#8217;s horn.<\/div>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_peace_%E2%80%9CV%E2%80%9D_sign_dont_turn_your_hand_away\"><\/span>The peace \u201cV\u201d sign: don\u2019t turn your hand away<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The \u201cV\u201d sign is starting off our list of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gestures to avoid while abroad<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It is formed with two fingers and is widely understood as a symbol representing peace. What could go wrong, right?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You probably heard that in the current or former Commonwealth countries (UK, New Zealand, Australia), it may be seen as an equivalent to middle finger, if flipped the other way around.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But it doesn\u2019t end there! Better to avoid this symbol, if you\u2019re planning to visit:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Middle East<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>South America<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Asia.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some Native American cultures, the peace symbol is considered to be a sign of disrespect, while in the Middle East, it is often understood as a symbol of Western Imperialism. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s more, in some Asian cultures, it is seen as a sign of weakness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re unsure whether the peace sign is offensive in a particular culture, it&#8217;s always best to err on the side of caution and avoid using it!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_%E2%80%9COK%E2%80%9D_sign_is_it_really_OK\"><\/span><strong>The \u201cOK\u201d sign: is it really OK?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next on our list of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gestures to avoid while abroad<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the &#8220;OK&#8221; sign. It is a simple hand gesture that most people use on a daily basis. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its most common form is connecting the index finger with a thumb, so they both represent a circle. It\u2019s hard to imagine it could mean anything wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, you should be careful when going to these destinations:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>In Brazil<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the &#8220;OK&#8221; sign is often used as an insult, similar to giving someone a middle finger.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>In the United States<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it is sometimes used as a white supremacist symbol. If you don\u2019t know the full context of the situation you\u2019re in, better to avoid this altogether.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last but not least, this gesture can be offensive almost everywhere, depending on the context. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why? <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, giving someone an \u201cOK\u201d might be interpreted as sarcastic, e.g. if someone has made a point on a sensitive topic.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_thumbs_up_approval_or_fck_you\"><\/span><strong>The thumbs up: approval or f*ck you?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Third on the list of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gestures to avoid while abroad<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the thumbs up gesture. You might think the &#8220;thumbs up&#8221; sign is a harmless way to show approval or support.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surprisingly, there are a lot of countries where your interlocutors might feel offended by it! Better note down these destinations, if you\u2019re planning to visit them some day:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Italy<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Greece<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Iran<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Iraq<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In these cultures, the \u201cthumb up\u201d gesture can be seen as an insult similar to showing a middle finger.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It may come as a surprise, especially when it comes to the European countries. It\u2019s not all, however, because if you\u2019re planning to visit Italy and Greece, you should expect even more such examples! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both cultures are known for their rich style of expression, with the use of many gestures. <\/span><b>Not all of them may be interpreted as you think they are.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So be sure to read this article further, so that you know <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to avoid rude gestures <a href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/travel\/\">while traveling<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and not offend your interlocutors while abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fingers_crossed_not_always_just_a_wish_for_luck\"><\/span><strong>Fingers crossed: not always just a wish for luck<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you planning to <\/span><b>visit Vietnam<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? This beautiful country in Asia is becoming more and more popular among tourists.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to note that <\/span><b>Vietnamese culture has some differences to what we consider a proper behavior<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is one gesture in particular that you should avoid while being there.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The &#8220;fingers crossed&#8221; sign, which is next on our list of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gestures to avoid while abroad<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, is widely considered representing \u201cluck wish\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But not in Vietnam. There, it is considered to be rude because it resembles private parts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, if you&#8217;re <a href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/travel\/\">planning to travel to Vietnam<\/a>, be sure to avoid using it, <\/span><b>especially among children and elderly people<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And if you\u2019re wondering if you can always get around since you don\u2019t know the Vietnamese alphabet \u2014 Don\u2019t worry, either.<\/span><strong> Get your <a href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/translators\/\">electronic translator<\/a> and understand everything written on the signs, menus and timetables!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_devils_horn_evil_or_protecting_from_evil\"><\/span><strong>The devil\u2019s horn: evil or protecting from evil?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There&#8217;s no easy interpretation of this sign, and it depends on who you ask and where you are. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some subcultures, the <\/span><b>devil&#8217;s horn sign is seen as a positive symbol of strength and power<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially among heavy metal fans.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, in many cultures, it is seen as an <\/span><b>evil reference to the Antichrist<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s especially the case in countries with a rich Christian heritage and history, like\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Italy<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Spain<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hungary\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and<\/span><b> Poland.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is definitely a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gesture to avoid while abroad<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paradoxically, in other countries, it is seen as a sign of protection against evil.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeling confused? Well, so might be your interlocutors if you use it with no apparent reason. So, outside of rock concerts, it\u2019s best to avoid using this sign altogether!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Head_shake_even_that_can_go_wrong\"><\/span><strong>Head shake: even that can go wrong<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you know that in some cultures, a head shake actually means &#8220;yes&#8221;?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To avoid confusing (and potentially embarrassing) situations, remember about this when you travel to these countries:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Bulgaria<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Greece<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Turkey<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The head shake is definitely a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gesture to avoid in cross cultural business<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> environment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Even though this sounds harmless enough, it can have great repercussions on your mutual communication.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep reading, if you want to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">learn which mannerisms and gestures to avoid<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/travel\/\"> while traveling<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CCome_here%E2%80%9D_gesture_we_wish_it_wasnt_that_ambiguous\"><\/span><strong>\u201cCome here\u201d gesture: we wish it wasn\u2019t that ambiguous<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next on our list of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gestures to avoid while abroad<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the &#8220;Come here&#8221; sign. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is <strong>a universal way of inviting someone to come closer<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is typically used by children who want to play with their peers, but it can also be seen in adults who are trying to engage the attention of others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though &#8220;come here&#8221; gesture is often seen as cute or endearing, there is one culture, where it\u2019s viewed as especially offensive when extended in front of someone\u2026 and this place is the wonderful and beautiful Philippines!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why is that? <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Well, if you\u2019re planning to<\/span><b> visit the Philippines<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, be reminded that this is also a sign commonly used to call a dog, and thus, might show disrespect towards other people.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not to mention that almost everywhere around the world, your interlocutors might feel it has sexual connotations. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s in a good taste to avoid this gesture in all conversations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_mountza_dont_make_people_%E2%80%9Ctalk_to_the_hand%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><strong>The mountza: don\u2019t make people \u201ctalk to the hand\u201d<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learning <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to avoid rude gestures when <a href=\"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/travel\/\">traveling <\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">may take some time if you want to know everything. <strong>Some gestures may seem innocent, but in fact, they can be really offensive in certain parts of the world<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mountza is an example of such as sign.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extending an open hand towards someone is a universal gesture that can help with ordering 5 pieces of something or just to show a mild refusal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, in certain cultures, a &#8220;mountza&#8221; is used as a gesture of contempt or dismissal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should avoid it there:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Greece\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Middle East countries<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>most African countries.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But why is this gesture considered offensive?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People of those cultures believe that \u201cmountza\u201d implies that the person being dismissed is stupid, worthless, or otherwise unworthy of respect.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surely, you don\u2019t want anyone to feel this way, so be careful not to use this gesture when in those regions!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hands_in_the_pockets_are_you_relaxed_or_just_dont_care\"><\/span><strong>Hands in the pockets: are you relaxed or just don\u2019t care?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This may seem like an innocent enough gesture, especially if we\u2019re feeling relaxed and safe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, this is considered as a sign of disrespect towards your interlocutors in many countries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check where it\u2019s better to avoid it:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">if you\u2019re going to <\/span><b>the UK<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Germany<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or <\/span><b>Japan\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be aware that keeping hands in your pockets may be also considered rude in some other European and Asian countries. <\/span><b>Better to avoid it altogether<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially in professional context.<\/span><\/p>\n<table border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Gesture<\/th>\n<th>Countries to Avoid<\/th>\n<th>Meaning<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Thumbs Up<\/td>\n<td>Middle East, West Africa<\/td>\n<td>Offensive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>OK Sign<\/td>\n<td>Brazil, Turkey<\/td>\n<td>Vulgar<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>V Sign (palm inward)<\/td>\n<td>UK, Australia<\/td>\n<td>Offensive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pointing with Index Finger<\/td>\n<td>Many Asian countries<\/td>\n<td>Rude<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Touching Someone&#8217;s Head<\/td>\n<td>Thailand, Sri Lanka<\/td>\n<td>Disrespectful<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Left Hand Use<\/td>\n<td>Middle East, India<\/td>\n<td>Unclean<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Crossing Fingers<\/td>\n<td>Vietnam<\/td>\n<td>Vulgar<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Beckoning with Palm Up<\/td>\n<td>Philippines, Korea<\/td>\n<td>For animals only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Showing Soles of Feet<\/td>\n<td>Arab countries<\/td>\n<td>Insulting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 40px; border-top: solid lightgray 1px; padding-top: 10px;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We hope that now you know your way around the gestures to avoid while abroad, and that your trips and travels will be pleasant for you and others.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s worth noting that, <strong>even though all gestures mentioned here are not universally offensive, there are definitely times when they could be<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>So if you&#8217;re traveling outside your home country, be sure to ask your host or the person you&#8217;re meeting for guidance about local customs.<\/p>\n<p>This way, you&#8217;ll be able to make a good first impression and avoid potential misunderstandings or conflicts.<\/p>\n<div class=\"answer6\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you planning a trip to a country you\u2019ve never been to?\u00a0 One of the most important things to do before traveling is to research the culture and customs of the country you are visiting. This is especially important when it comes to gestures. Why is that? Well, gestures are a universal language that we [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":1879,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20,9],"tags":[36],"class_list":["post-1810","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-languages","category-travel","tag-r-faber"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1810","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1810"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1810\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3327,"href":"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1810\/revisions\/3327"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1879"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1810"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1810"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vasco-translator.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1810"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}