Contrary to Hollywood legend, Roman gladiators were not spared by a thumbs-up, but by a hidden thumb. Legend has it that the signal dates back to Roman gladiatorial contests. In most cultures, crossing your fingers means you're hoping for good luck. I am researching the meaning of different gestures in different countries. 1. It is also used when hitchhiking.Iraq, Iran: An insult equivalent to, “Up yours, pal!”ASL: Thumbs up wiggled left and right is the sign for the number 10. Thumbs up 3. Similar to “What are you saying?”, Malaysia: They call it “chup” and it used to mean “wait a minute.” But when the gesture is motioned toward the mouth, it means “eat.”ASL: When both hands with this sign are put together with the tips touching, it means “kiss.”. When held stationary and thrust toward another person the meaning is “yourself.”. Thumbs Down to Thumbs Up. 6 Answers. The thumbs-up sign has been confusing people for thousands of years. 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). The thumbs up gesture is used on the logo of Thums Up, a popular brand of cola from India. It's used the same way the middle finger is in the US. The OK-sign (circle with thumb and index finger) 2. Just ask any traveler who's given a thumbs-up in Afghanistan. Anonymous. The ‘thumbs up’ sign is used in many cultures to mean ‘OK’, in France it can mean number 1. More: Europe Travel International Destinations Video Destinations travel. Thumbs up 3. Making a circle with your thumb and your index finger … The Importance of Cultural Awareness The most common interpretation of this sign is as a sing of approval (there is even a metaphor in English: The proposal was given a thumbs-up), but there are some countries where it may be an insult or where it will not be understood. Favorite Answer . Relevance. OK sign. 1. Thumbs-Up The thumbs-up signals approval in the U.S. and on Facebook, but in Afghanistan, Iran, parts of Italy, and Greece, it means "up yours." For example, in some countries, pointing a finger at a person is considered an insult, which is why in the U.S. we tell children “don’t point.” While in Italy pointing is used to indicate a direction. Anti-war activists later adopted it as a symbol of peace, and today the gesture is known as "the peace sign.". When we go overseas, sometimes language can be a barrier. Luckily body language can help us communicate when words fail to do so. The thumbs-up gesture is a sign of approval in most countries. Can anyone tell me what the below mean in China? Richard Nixon once raised some eyebrows in the 1950s when he made the gesture in Brazil as he stepped off a plane. Source(s): Been deployed to Iraq … Don’t make the same mistake as Richard Nixon, who visited Brazil and flashed the “Ok sign” to a waiting crowd, but was responded to with boos. Americans should be aware that the gesture has multiple meanings at home, too — in recent years, the OK symbol has been linked with white supremacy groups. In the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Russia, giving someone the thumbs up is similar to the ‘okay’ gesture above, but more positive.It’s usually given as a sign of approval for a job well done or used when thanking someone. China: This is the same as giving the thumbs down sign. Common hand gestures used in the United States carry very different meanings in other cultures. How the thumbs up became an upbeat gesture in the first place is something of a mystery. Favorite Answer In some areas such as the middle east the thumbs up can be seen as a form of disrespect. However, in Latin America, West Africa and Iran the thumbs up basically means an “up yours.” America: Peace. Account active In this article, we'll discuss why it's important to be aware of the different meanings body language has in different countries and cultures. When you don’t know the local language, body language can be a helpful way to understand what is going on.Traveling to an Arab country can definitely be colorful because of the enormous amount of gesticulation that Arabs do while talking. So next time you're trying to hitchhike in, say, Tuscany, you should reconsider before sticking out your thumb. This gesture goes back to Ancient Roman times. The thumbs up sign in Middle Eastern countries, Iran, Iraq and Thailand, is an extremely obscene gesture, equivalent to flipping the finger in Europe. It is a great way to indicate acknowledgement or approval. They know what we mean by it and they have accepted the fact that Americans are going to do it regardless, so it's no use of getting mad. In India, the thumbs up, combined with a wagging of the fist means, “I doubt that will work.” A thumbs up is an important sign in scuba diving, where it means, “stop the dive and ascend.” The same hand gestures could mean different things in other countries. If the origins of both gestures are linked, we can only assume this meant, "Do not kill the prisoner, he seems the perfect solution to the emperor's arthritic finger." In general, we tend to think it's best not to insult your host country when traveling abroad. The gesture is often performed by flicking the V up from the wrist or elbow. Here are a few examples of gestures and what they mean in different countries around the globe that might even surprise you. 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