Hand Gestures in the World With More Than One Meaning

Pointing Finger

In the early 2000's, a pointing finger came to be an affectionate gesture in the USA: sort of a, "Yeah, you, you're cool." Previously, it had been perceived everywhere as a marginally rude gesture, though it was occasionally used to great effect in advertising (think, "Uncle Sam Wants You").

Be careful using it abroad, though: it's still not really polite to older generations, and it's not polite at all, to anyone in the Middle and the Far East (use an open hand to point when you're in that neighborhood).

Which countries find it most offensive? China, Japan, Indonesia, and Latin America. And in many African countries, you should also only point at an inanimate object and never at humans.

If in doubt, motion with your head to point at something. 

OK Sign

A simple "OK" seems, well, simple, right?

However, the gesture made by circling thumb and forefinger, with​ the middle, ring, and pinkie fingers extended, has a couple of other meanings than the "Okey dokey" we're most familiar with. Traditionally, it's a way to show the number three in many Western countries, and a way to indicate the number seven in China.

In Japan, however, the okay gesture means money, which could lead to confusion if you use it to indicate everything's okay while you're in the country. 

It can also be used in an insulting fashion in some Western countries, such as France—as in, "You great big zero. Zilch. Nada. Nothing." Ouch. 

In Brazil, however, the okay symbol is the equivalent of giving someone the finger in the U.S. It's seen as a highly offensive gesture, and should definitely be avoided. 

And in some places, it can mean that you're indicating that the other person is a, um, body part with happens to be round (and hidden). Easiest just to smile enthusiastically when things are indeed "OK" in these parts of the world.

Loser Sign

Should you be lucky enough to travel to China, know that the vendor at that street stall is not telling you that you're a loser for playing it safe with the onion pancakes (what, the skewered thing with several legs doesn't seem appealing?)

No, the vendor's telling you what it costs... and it has to do with the number eight (two fingers up, and ten fingers minus eight fingers is two). From there, you're on your own—just don't feel offended by the gesture. 

(By the way, if you haven't yet, do read Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman, a mesmerizing memoir of the author's first big trip abroad that started with an aborted trip in recently opened-to-foreigners China).

Thumbs Up

Although we haven't personally had too much trouble with this one, we've got a friend who swears she supremely dissed a shopkeeper in West Africa with a thumbs up sign. After asking around a bit, we learned that in some parts of the world, it means to sit on the thumb. And possibly spin. Again, better off with the enthusiastic smile to indicate that all is well.

It's not just West Africa, though. The thumbs up gesture is seen as offensive across large parts of the Middle East and South America, too. If you're in the habit of throwing a thumbs up at people to express your happiness, try to quash it for any trips to the regions mentioned above. 

Fingers Crossed

The fingers crossed sign is most commonly used by Americans as a hopeful sign that beckons good luck. If one were wishing for something to happen, crossing your fingers would be the usual way to convey it.

In Vietnam, however, the gesture means something very different. Crossed fingers are often construed as a rude way to refer to a part of the female anatomy. Using this gesture would be considered vulgar and disrespectful.

Peace Sign

The peace sign seems so universal to us Americans, but what is widely accepted inb the U.S. can be seen as offensive in other countries around the world.

The two fingers held aloft in a V are fine provided your palm is facing out, but in some countries—namely, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom—it's an insult of the first order if you make the same gesture but with your palm facing inward. In other words, you don't order two beers in an English pub by holding up two fingers with your palm facing you unless you want to get in a bit of a brawl. In fairness, it's not likely to offend many people these days, but could be taken the wrong way, so is best to use carefully and not at all if possible.

And to some (mostly to older generations), two fingers held up with the palm facing out means V for victory—hard to insult anyone with that sentiment, but you may find yourself rather misunderstood. 

Pinky Up

Often a sarcastic way to pretend one is posh, it's not uncommon to see a pinky get thrown up while one is sipping tea. In Medieval times, the wealthy would use their pinky fingers to sample exotic spices, thus eating and drinking with their pinky fingers extended.

The gesture means something very different in China. Extending your pinky finger indicates that you think little of the person you're speaking to and is considered rude.