Is thumbs up offensive in Middle East?

And definitely don’t give a thumbs up in the Middle East However, in several countries in West Africa and the Middle East, including Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan, the gesture has the connotation of “up yours!” It’s used the same way the middle finger is in the US.

Is the thumbs up sign offensive in Greece?

While this is a positive gesture in the US, for some Greeks, it’s quite offensive. Giving the thumbs up to somebody in Greece is equivalent to giving the middle finger to an American.

What country is thumbs up offensive?

1. Thumbs Up. In Iran, Greece, Russia, Sardinia, and parts of West Africa the thumbs up is as rude as the middle finger is in the UK. So no posing in front of the Parthenon making the thumbs up gesture like a nerdy tourist.

What postures are considered rude in Middle Eastern culture?

Use of Hands or Fingers. Everyday gestures that you use at home may have very different meanings abroad. For example, across the Middle East, it is seen as offensive to eat or offer gifts with the left hand, and a “thumbs up” gesture is also considered rude.

What does thumbs up mean in Mexico?

thumbs up and thumbs down; one palm outward (both meanings, “stop” and “talk to the hand”);

What does thumbs-up mean in Europe?

The “thumbs up” sign popular in the United States is used widely in most of Europe to say “OK” (it also represents the number one when counting). Some cultures also indicate “yes” and “no” differently: In Turkey, they shake their heads as Americans do, but someone may also signal “no” by tilting their head back.

Is waving considered rude in Greece?

Yes, this is a unique Greek gesture and is quite rude and offensive. And yes, you can detect it in many aspects of everyday life in Greece. It’s done by extending the hand with the palm facing forward and the fingers stretched and apart from each other.