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5 everyday hand gestures that can get you in serious trouble outside the US

Mark Abadi,Shayanne Gal   

5 everyday hand gestures that can get you in serious trouble outside the US
Travel1 min read

hugh jackman peace sign

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

This gesture is offensive in some cultures.

  • Some hand gestures that are innocent in the United States are offensive in other countries.
  • The thumbs up, the "OK" sign, and crossing your fingers are all examples of gestures that are vulgar in certain places outside the US.

Not every hand gesture is universal.

And sometimes, making what you think is an innocent gesture in one country can land you in hot water somewhere else.

Just ask any traveler who's given a thumbs-up in Afghanistan. Or someone who's crossed their fingers in Vietnam or signaled "OK" in Brazil. All those gestures have offensive connotations away from American soil.

Read on to see the hand gestures you definitely don't want to make overseas.

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