Sorry, I Didn’t Know!
Compiled by Angela Janutolo

Amy, a young journalist was sent on her first assignment to Iran. After her plane landed, she quickly dropped her luggage off at the hotel and went to a restaurant to grab a bite. When she arrived she ordered the only thing she knew how to pronounce on the menu and patiently waited for her food. After being served Amy dug in to her scrumptious plate of food. She had just taken a large bite when the waitress came back and asked her if she liked it. Not wanting to be rude and talk with her mouth full, Amy gave the waitress a quick “thumbs up” to signify that her meal was very good. Taken aback, the waitress looked shocked and disgusted. She muttered something under her breath and stormed off. Amy felt horrible, but had no idea what she had done wrong.

In this scenario, where did Amy make her first huge mistake as a novice traveler and reporter? Amy made the mistake of using an American gesture in Iran without researching what it means in that culture.

In every culture gestures are a large part of how people communicate quickly with one another. Unfortunately, the meanings of certain gestures vary from culture to culture. A positive gesture in America might have a derogatory meaning in another country. For Instance, when Amy gave a “thumbs up” to the Iranian waitress to signify a good meal, the waitress was offended because in Iran the “thumbs up” gesture is equivalent to the American’s middle finger gesture.

Following are just a few examples of some gestures from around the world:

In China this gesture means that you are angry.

In France this gesture means that you do not believe someone.

In Italy this is a very derogatory sign for not giving a care.

In Africa it is rude to point with your index finger. Instead, Africans point with their chins.

In Middle Eastern cultures it is extremely disrespectful to offer or accept anything with the left hand, and it is equally as bad to write someone’s name with the left hand. The left hand is considered the hand used to remove waste.

In many Asian cultures it is very disrespectful to show that bottom of your feet. In these cultures it is important to sit with the soles of your feet facing down, and never prop your feet up on a table that would expose the bottom of the foot to someone’s face.

When Quang first came to America, he said the Vietnamese refugees were extremely insulted when they were signaled to come forward by the immigration personnel using a curved up index finger. In Asia, you do that to your dogs; to people, you would use the whole hand.

This is the Russian sign for Dummy. So, don’t make this gesture by accident or you’ll end up looking like one!

This Russian gestures when moved back and forth like you are scratching your head means that you believe the person you are talking with has something backwards or doesn’t understand an idea correctly. Tip: Don’t scratch your head during a business meeting in Russia!

Just a heads up to all you Don Juans out there…it is considered rude to wink at a woman in Australia.

Never stand your chopsticks straight up in your food. In Japan that is a sign for death. Always lay the chopstick across your bowl when they are not in use.

Everything is A OK! Well, it probably was until you flashed this gesture in Brazil, Germany, Russia, the Middle East, Australia, or some parts of Asia. This gesture often means “screw you” in many countries outside the US. (Imagine how many US presidents have made that mistake!)

Pointing down to your upturned palm with the opposite had is a rude Israeli gesture indicating that you believe grass will grow on your hand before the words of the speaker become true. Ouch!!

I got your nose! This gesture to Americans looks like the innocent children’s game of stealing a nose, but this sign in Russia means “absolutely not.” However, in many other countries it is equivalent to flipping somebody off. It is good to stay away from this gesture in a culturally diverse setting.

In Argentina public yawning is considered to be rude. Wait till they watch our Congress at work!

The most typical Spanish gesture is the one of the bull’s horns which means “cuckold” or a man with an unfaithful wife. Strangely enough, it has the same meaning in Viet Nam.

Above are just a few examples of gestures and their meanings from different cultures around the globe. Before traveling or meeting someone from a different culture for the first time be aware of what gestures you often use everyday in your culture and what those gestures mean in the culture that you are visiting. Using socially acceptable gestures in a different country is a great way to communicate especially if there is a language barrier. However, if you are unsure of a gesture’s meaning, and to avoid a potentially harmful misunderstanding, it is better to not make the gesture at all.