Comments on: 5 common American gestures that might insult the locals http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-common-american-gestures-that-might-insult-the-locals/ travel culture worldwide Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:35:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Reaching Out http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-common-american-gestures-that-might-insult-the-locals/#comment-100616 Reaching Out Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:44:00 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=230#comment-100616 In Greece showing someone your palm as you do when you wave, with spread fingers but without the side to side movement is called a "moutza" and is the same as giving someone the middle finger.  So be careful how you greet someone when in Greece. In Greece showing someone your palm as you do when you wave, with spread fingers but without the side to side movement is called a “moutza” and is the same as giving someone the middle finger.  So be careful how you greet someone when in Greece.

]]> By: Michael M. http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-common-american-gestures-that-might-insult-the-locals/#comment-91566 Michael M. Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:22:00 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=230#comment-91566 The OK sign would probably be fine here in Japan for those that watch American movies. For "money", one makes the OK sign as in the US, but that's where the similarity ends. In Japan, the palm faces upward.  The OK sign would probably be fine here in Japan for those that watch American movies. For “money”, one makes the OK sign as in the US, but that’s where the similarity ends. In Japan, the palm faces upward. 

]]> By: Michael M. http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-common-american-gestures-that-might-insult-the-locals/#comment-91567 Michael M. Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:22:00 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=230#comment-91567 The OK sign would probably be fine here in Japan for those that watch American movies. For "money", one makes the OK sign as in the US, but that's where the similarity ends. In Japan, the palm faces upward.  The OK sign would probably be fine here in Japan for those that watch American movies. For “money”, one makes the OK sign as in the US, but that’s where the similarity ends. In Japan, the palm faces upward. 

]]> By: michael http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-common-american-gestures-that-might-insult-the-locals/#comment-35858 michael Tue, 15 Feb 2011 02:45:40 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=230#comment-35858 i grew up in romania and my family still lives there. the romanians are so obsessed with american culture that they would most def know what it means but they would not be nearly as offended as americans. its more of a way to insult without being deeply offensive for them. i still wouldnt recommend it but it doesnt carry nearly as much weight as it does in th states.. i grew up in romania and my family still lives there. the romanians are so obsessed with american culture that they would most def know what it means but they would not be nearly as offended as americans. its more of a way to insult without being deeply offensive for them. i still wouldnt recommend it but it doesnt carry nearly as much weight as it does in th states..

]]> By: Edison http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-common-american-gestures-that-might-insult-the-locals/#comment-40756 Edison Tue, 23 Nov 2010 07:35:47 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=230#comment-40756 I believe the gesture you're refering to that symbolises death in Singapore would be the 'come hither' gesture that is held upright, with the index finger pointing to the left and crooking up and down. (Usually a right hand is used) I believe the gesture you’re refering to that symbolises death in Singapore would be the ‘come hither’ gesture that is held upright, with the index finger pointing to the left and crooking up and down. (Usually a right hand is used)

]]> By: Andy http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-common-american-gestures-that-might-insult-the-locals/#comment-35857 Andy Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:53:23 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=230#comment-35857 This might be a silly question but is it an insult to romanians when you give them the middle finger? This might be a silly question but is it an insult to romanians when you give them the middle finger?

]]> By: Joel Runyon http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-common-american-gestures-that-might-insult-the-locals/#comment-34951 Joel Runyon Fri, 15 May 2009 04:11:30 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=230#comment-34951 Haha, Good Article. Thanks for the heads up... Haha, Good Article. Thanks for the heads up…

]]> By: Cyn Apfelbaum http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-common-american-gestures-that-might-insult-the-locals/#comment-34523 Cyn Apfelbaum Tue, 05 May 2009 16:28:48 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=230#comment-34523 @ Tim: it will something like asshole. Its used in argentina only, and depends if you count uruguay as its own culture then also in Uruguay.... ppl in Ururguay have almost the exact same culture than in Buenos Aires. Watching Amazing Race this past Sunday, A chinese man gave them the OK by doing the circle signage. So I guess in China its fine but not in Japan or other Asian countries @ Tim: it will something like asshole. Its used in argentina only, and depends if you count uruguay as its own culture then also in Uruguay…. ppl in Ururguay have almost the exact same culture than in Buenos Aires.

Watching Amazing Race this past Sunday, A chinese man gave them the OK by doing the circle signage. So I guess in China its fine but not in Japan or other Asian countries

]]> By: Tim Patterson http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-common-american-gestures-that-might-insult-the-locals/#comment-35048 Tim Patterson Sun, 03 May 2009 20:05:01 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=230#comment-35048 @ Sarah - thanks for catching that - fixed. @ Cyn - what does pelotudo mean? @ Sarah – thanks for catching that – fixed.

@ Cyn – what does pelotudo mean?

]]> By: Cyn Apfelbaum http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/5-common-american-gestures-that-might-insult-the-locals/#comment-35037 Cyn Apfelbaum Sun, 03 May 2009 18:13:24 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=230#comment-35037 I'm from Argentina. There is nothing completely wrong with doing the OK sing doing a circle with your hand. It means butt hole if you put a finger inside the circle (you should get it by now). They will get that you mean ok by the conversation, but just use the thumbs up. The argentinian culture understands the common sings of other cultures. About argentinians? we have some sign language but if mad, people are more vocal with our unique curse words like boludo and pelotudo. oh, and you can use your left hand ;P I’m from Argentina. There is nothing completely wrong with doing the OK sing doing a circle with your hand. It means butt hole if you put a finger inside the circle (you should get it by now). They will get that you mean ok by the conversation, but just use the thumbs up. The argentinian culture understands the common sings of other cultures. About argentinians? we have some sign language but if mad, people are more vocal with our unique curse words like boludo and pelotudo.

oh, and you can use your left hand ;P

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