Hand gestures mean different things in different parts of the world, and travel website Cheapflights has come up with an infographic to help you make sense of the various gestures and their meanings.
Think the ubiquitous ‘thumbs up’ sign conveys a sign of approval? Well, think again. In Latin America, West Africa, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan, it refers to an ‘up yours’ insult. Likewise, the ‘V’ sign which means peace in the United States is used to signify contempt of authority in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
In France, Belgium and Tunisia, flicking your chin is used to express disinterest or to tell somebody to get lost, while in Italy, it translates to “I don’t give a damn.”
Click the images below to view the full infographic, and commit these tips to memory to avoid embarrassing social situations the next time you’re abroad.
Click to view enlarged version
Click to view enlarged version
Click to view enlarged version
Click to view enlarged version
[via Visual.ly, image via Cheapflights]