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Offensive Gestures in Other Countries 2024

There are offensive gestures in every country because that is just part of human behavior. In America, flipping the bird with the middle finger is probably the most offensive gesture, and much of North America has the same tradition here. It is easy to make the mistake of making offensive gestures in other countries because some of them are very common everyday gestures in North America.

It is important to know offensive gestures in any country because the consequences could be severe. Some offensive gestures could lead to citations or sanctions, while others will result in social embarrassment and could ruin a vacation or business trip.

Don’t Point in Malaysia

It’s natural in the United States or Canada even to point at something when we get excited about it. Still, North Americans are taught that it can be rude. In Malaysia, it is eye-opening to watchers and considered beyond inconsiderate. It is so offensive in Malaysia, that employees at big brands such as Disney are taught not to point because some cultures that may be present will find it insulting and it could ruin their entire trip. If you must point in Malaysia, or around Malaysians, use two fingers.

Touching Heads in Thailand is a Don’t

It is common to pat someone’s head in affection, and it can even be a sweet gesture on occasion. Another common gesture with this in America is ruffling someone’s hair. In Thailand, a big no. The head is a sacred portion of the body and a strictly hands-off zone. On the flip side, the feet are the most unclean body part, and using your feet to point or touch someone can be as offensive.

The Italian Chin Flick

This chin flick in Italy is going to be met with stunned silence from the Italians in your crowd, or, worse, drama. This is true if you are giving the chin flick in Italy, or in America. It’s just not done to them. It’s a move that is more aggressive than flipping the bird to Americans. It means you don’t care what they are talking about and is considered to be dismissive.

Fingers Away From the Moon in Taiwan

The Moon in Taiwan is considered an important symbol of an ancient tradition. The Moon symbolizes an important goddess to those in Taiwan. Pointing at it is said to incite her wrath. Worse, the people of Taiwan believe there are consequences for doing that. One ancient tradition has it that you will lose your year if you point at the Moon. If you’re admiring a beautiful Moon in Taiwan, keep your hands to yourself, especially if you are around any of the citizens of this East Asian country.

- Gestures listed are common in the United States, though they may have different meanings.
- List should be considered non-comprehensive, as additional offensive gestures undoubtedly exist in many countries and listed gestures may be offensive in more countries than indicated. Prospective travelers are advised to consult with local officials if there is a concern about unintentionally causing offense.
- Gesture definitions include the following:
- Backward Peace sign - A clasped hand held palm-inward with index and middle fingers extended in a V-shape.
- The Cutis - Placing one's thumb behind one's front teeth and flicking it toward another person.
- The Fig/El Corte - A clasped hand with thumb sticking out between index and middle fingers.
- The Forks/Peace sign - A clasped hand held palm-outward with index and middle fingers extended in a V-shape.
- Hang Loose - A clasped hand with thumb and pinky extended.
- The Horns - A clasped hand held vertically with index finger and pinky extended.
- Index Point - Using one's index finger to point at someone.
- Middle finger/The Finger - A clasped hand with just the middle finger extended upward.
- OK sign - Holding up a hand with the thumb and index finger forming a circle.
- Thumb's Up - A clasped hand held with thumb extended and pointing upward.

Download Table Data

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Country
Middle Finger
Backward Peace
Fig/El Corte
Forks/Peace
Index Point
Additional Gestures
United States
Pakistan
Nigeria
Ethiopia
Mexico
Egypt
DR Congo
Iran
Tanzania
United Kingdom
Kenya
Colombia
Uganda
Sudan
Iraq
Algeria
Afghanistan
Canada
Morocco
Ukraine
Angola
Uzbekistan
Yemen
Mozambique
Ghana
Peru
Madagascar
Ivory Coast
Cameroon
Niger
Australia
North Korea
Syria
Mali
Burkina Faso
Malawi
Zambia
Kazakhstan
Romania
Chad
Somalia
Ecuador
Guatemala
Senegal
Netherlands
Zimbabwe
Guinea
Rwanda
Benin
Burundi
Bolivia
Haiti
Dominican Republic
Jordan
South Sudan
Cuba
Honduras
Czech Republic
Azerbaijan
Tajikistan
Portugal
United Arab Emirates
Togo
Sierra Leone
Nicaragua
Serbia
Libya
Paraguay
Kyrgyzstan
Turkmenistan
El Salvador
Republic of the Congo
Central African Republic
Slovakia
Liberia
Palestine
New Zealand
Costa Rica
Lebanon
Mauritania
Oman
Panama
Kuwait
Croatia
Eritrea
Georgia
Mongolia
Uruguay
Moldova
Gambia
Jamaica
Armenia
Qatar
Botswana
Namibia
Gabon
Lesotho
Guinea Bissau
North Macedonia
Equatorial Guinea
Trinidad and Tobago
Bahrain
Estonia
Mauritius
Cyprus
Eswatini
Djibouti
Comoros
Guyana
Suriname
Montenegro
Cape Verde
Belize
Bahamas
Iceland
Barbados
Sao Tome and Principe
Saint Lucia
Grenada
Seychelles
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Antigua and Barbuda
Dominica
Saint Kitts and Nevis
India
China
Indonesia
Brazil
Bangladesh
Russia
Japan
Philippines
Vietnam
Turkey
Germany
Thailand
France
South Africa
Italy
Myanmar
South Korea
Spain
Argentina
Poland
Saudi Arabia
Malaysia
Nepal
Venezuela
Taiwan
Sri Lanka
Chile
Cambodia
Tunisia
Belgium
Sweden
Papua New Guinea
Greece
Hungary
Belarus
Israel
Austria
Switzerland
Laos
Bulgaria
Singapore
Denmark
Finland
Norway
Ireland
Albania
Lithuania
Slovenia
Latvia
Fiji
Bhutan
Solomon Islands
Luxembourg
Malta
Maldives
Brunei
Vanuatu
Samoa
Kiribati
Micronesia
Tonga
Andorra
Marshall Islands
Liechtenstein
Monaco
San Marino
Palau
Nauru
Tuvalu
Vatican City
showing: 194 rows

What is the most offensive hand gesture?

The hand gesture that is considered the most offensive will vary from country to country. In Malaysia, for example, it is offensive to point. Touching heads is offensive in Thailand, a chin flick is offensive in Italy, and you should not point at the moon in Taiwan as it's seen as offensive.

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