What does thumbs up mean in Middle East?

Shayanne Gal/Business Insider. The thumbs-up gesture is a sign of approval in most countries. 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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on businessinsider.com


What is the meaning of ? in Iran?

Thumbs Up

All over the world giving a thumbs up is a positive thing. It is considered as a means of expressing your liking towards something. However, if you give thumbs up in Iran means indecent and offensive insult which means “sit on it”.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blog.thomascook.in


What country is thumbs up offensive?

There are many cultures where a thumbs-up indicates that something is good or well done. In Italy, Greece, Iran, and Iraq, however, this is an insulting gesture.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on rw-3.com


Why is a thumbs up offensive in Iran?

Thumbs up

In many areas of the world a thumbs up signal is interpreted as meaning “Okay” or “I agree.” However, in Iran, Afghanistan, Nigeria, South America, the Middle East and parts of Italy and Greece it is an obscene insult meaning “sit on it” which is their equivalent to holding a middle finger up.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on expatinfodesk.com


What does thumbs up mean in Afghanistan?

The thumbs-up gesture is considered rude and has the same connotation as raising one's middle finger for traditional Afghans. The “OK” sign with the hand can symbolise the evil eye or something more lewd.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on culturalatlas.sbs.com.au


10 Innocent Gestures That Can Get You KILLED!



What does a thumbs up mean in Iraq?

The thumbs-up gesture is a sign of approval in most countries. 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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on businessinsider.com


What does thumbs up mean in Turkey?

The "thumbs up" gesture is commonly used for hitchhiking. Shaking your head sideways means, "I don't understand."
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on business-with-turkey.com


What does thumbs up mean in Pakistan?

The thumbs-up symbol and the symbol for 'Okay' (with the forefinger and the top of the thumb meeting to form a circle, with the other fingers stretched out) can both be considered lewd or rude; however, many Pakistanis have become familiar with their Western meanings.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on culturalatlas.sbs.com.au


What does the thumbs up mean in Greece?

Thumbs up. 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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on veem.com


Is a thumbs up offensive in Japan?

In Japan, thumbs up mean a sign of agreement. However, it also means 'a lover' in a rude way.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on japanyugen.com


Is thumbs up offensive in Saudi Arabia?

The Thumbs Up

While you might be thinking thumbs up shows approval, real life is not like Facebook. In parts of the Arab world, the gesture is considered highly offensive, its impact is equivalent to the middle-finger in the West.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on stepfeed.com


What does thumbs up mean in Asia?

In many countries in the West and in some parts of Asia, giving the ”thumbs up” sign is an indication that you agree or approve something. It's a common body language gesture most of us use daily.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on daytranslations.com


What does ? mean in Italy?

Che vuoi? (Italian pronunciation: [ke vˈvwɔi]; transl. "what do you want?"), alternatively described as ma che vuoi?, ma che dici?/ma che stai dicendo? ("what are you talking about?"), or simply che? ("what?"), is one of the best known hand gestures of Italy.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org


What does 2 thumbs up mean?

(idiomatic) Strong approval. (dated) A hand gesture indicating strong approval.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wiktionary.org


What are some common gestures in Iran?

Iranian Gestures
  • Greeting. It's common to shake hands with people of the same gender. ...
  • Saying Yes. In Iran, people say yes (Bale) or send a confirmative message by moving their heads downward. ...
  • Saying No. ...
  • Be quiet. ...
  • Shame. ...
  • A little. ...
  • In my heart. ...
  • On my eyes.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on apochi.com


What does thumbs up mean in Thailand?

1- Thumbs-up

Meaning: Thumbs-up in Thailand means “This is good.” How to do: Make a fist and stick your thumb up. When to do: Use this when you want to tell another party that something is good.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thaipod101.com


What does thumbs up mean in Germany?

Germans may appear reserved and unfriendly until you get to know them better. Never put your hands in your pockets when talking with someone. "Thumbs up" gesture means "one" or is a sign of appreciation or agreement.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ediplomat.com


What is the finger in Iran?

In this gesture, the thumb sometimes touches the middle finger. The insult of this is equivalent to the finger. In Iranian culture, a similar gesture is used to represent "Dirt on your head", a verbal insult that is often used, suggesting the death and subsequent burial of the receiver.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org


What does thumbs-up mean in Brazil?

Throughout Brazil, use the thumbs-up gesture to indicate that something is OK. The gesture created by making a circle with your thumb and index finger and holding your other fingers up in the air has a very rude meaning.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fodors.com


What does thumbs-up mean in Bangladesh?

1. Thumbs up. This widely recognised sign of approval or agreement is actually used as an insult in Bangladesh. In certain parts of the Middle East, thumbs-up is definitely a highly offensive thumbs-down.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blog.busuu.com


What does a thumbs-up mean in Australia?

1 Thumbs Up

Though many western countries recognize a "thumbs up" gesture as an affirmative sign or sign of approval, in Australia it is considered a rude gesture having a meaning similar to that of a raised middle finger.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on classroom.synonym.com


What hand gestures are offensive in India?

In Indian culture, the left hand is considered unclean because it is the hand used when going to the bathroom, for cleaning one's feet and other “dirty” activities.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on holbrooktravel.com


What does thumbs up mean in New Zealand?

This communication indicates encouragement, approval, and acceptance. NZSL uses a handshape with the thumbs held up to express a similar range of positive meanings.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nzsl.tki.org.nz


What does thumbs up mean in Russian?

That innocent "thumbs up"? In Greece, Latin America, the Middle East, Russia and several other places, it actually means "up yours."
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on businessinsider.com
Previous question
Does schizophrenia make you laugh?