If you don't want to get in trouble with hand gestures when you travel, you might just want to put your hands under your arms and never make any gestures at all. Gestures that might seem perfectly innocent at home very well could get you in trouble in foreign counties.
The list for gestures that you should be careful of is a pretty long one. It's a good idea to do an internet search and find out which hand gestures might be considered insulting, rude, or crude in the country you are visiting.
Let's look at some of the most common ones.... some gestures that you wouldn't think twice about using at home should just never be used when you travel!
The "thumbs up" sign that is used in the U.S. to show approval is insulting and crude in other countries and shouldn't be used at all. It's interpreted something like using your middle finger in the U.S.
What does making a circle with your thumb and index finger mean? It can mean zero or OK... or... something like "up yours" or that someone is a homosexual.
Don't try to call someone to you by motioning with your index finger. It may mean "come here" in the U.S. but it is an obscene or insulting hand gesture in much of the world. There are places where this could even get you arrested!
Even something as simple as pointing can get you into trouble. Pointing with the index finger extended is considered impolite in many cultures. You're safer pointing with your whole hand. In Madagascar, there are some "sacred" things that you shouldn't ever point at with an extended finger. When we were there, we found that there were so many things we shouldn't point at that we took to pointing at everything with our finger curled... just pointing with the knuckle.
You have to worry about the "V" for victory sign.... be sure if you use it you keep your palm facing away from you. If you mistakenly turn your palm toward you, you'll be saying something rude.
Don't pass a business card or a gift with only one hand in Japan... and don't use your left hand to pass anything in many countries... the left hand is considered "unclean". If you're eating with you hands anywhere... just try to use your right hand... that'll save you lots of embarrassment.
Don't pat children on the head especially in Asia... it is rude and upsetting. In Muslim countries, men should not shake hands with women. Just to be on the safe side keep your hands to yourself.
One last thought... Let's not forget about your feet, just because we're talking about hand gestures. Don't sit with the soles of you shoes or feet showing or pointing at anyone... in may cultures this is rude.
Sometimes it's hard not to use those common hand gestures you use all the time without even thinking about it.... but when you're traveling, those gestures can be misunderstood, and in extreme cases they could even get you in trouble. Maybe it is best to keep your hands in your pockets!
