Have you ever received a funny look abroad when using a common hand gesture that just doesn’t translate overseas?
Well, online language learning platform Preply has revealed the top hand gestures to avoid when traveling so as not to offend the locals. Preply says the data was collected from Reddit and the rules were fact checked to ensure accuracy.
Thumbs up sign
Though commonplace in Canada to signal approval or understanding, according to Preply you’ll want to avoid using it in Greece, Russia, West Africa and Sardinia where it means ‘’Up Yours!’’
The A-OK sign
In Canada, this frequently used gesture indicates that everything is alright. However, in the Mediterranean, France or Belgium, according to Preply, it means you’re telling the recipient that they are worth nothing to you.
The Stop sign
The hand gesture for stop is commonly used but in Greece holding up your hand in this manner is apparently associated with telling someone that they are going to hell.
The heavy metal sign
This pop culture gesture is commonly employed worldwide at live rock concerts, and supposedly imitates the horns of the devil, but in the Mediterranean, locals here may see this as you telling them their partner is unfaithful, Preply says.
The Come Here sign
This sign, often used to tell a person to come over to you, is inoffensive in Canada, if not slightly threatening to a child who’s been caught by their parents doing something they shouldn’t.
However, according to Preply, if you’re travelling to the Philippines, this gesture could land you in prison. Unless you are commanding a pet to come back to you, doing this to someone in the Philippines may get you in serious trouble.
