A guide to rude gestures from around the world
Gestures, and indeed body language, are a very effective way to convey a thought to an interlocutor without words. However, gestures are different, and in each country they are different. We suggest that you learn a few "bad" gestures used in various countries so as not to inadvertently offend their inhabitants. After all, you don’t want to be known as ignorant and rude without knowing it yourself, do you?
(Total 10 photos)
1. Hit on the chin
Meaning: "Get lost."
Used in: Belgium, France, Northern Italy, Tunisia.
In France, this gesture is known as la barbe, or "beard". The point is that it is a display of masculinity, just as a male deer displays it by waving his antlers, or a rooster shaking his comb. The gesture is very simple - moving the fingertips under the chin forward. He is recognized in many countries, and he was and remains an effective way to get rid of an annoying interlocutor.
Note: In Italy, this gesture simply means "no".
2. Idiot
Meaning: "What are you, an idiot?"
Used in: Brazil.
This gesture indicates the stupidity of the interlocutor, and some acting skills are required to perform it. You need to put your fist on your forehead and put your jaw forward. The gesture is especially effective with repeated use of annoyed grunts. If you did everything right, you will be rewarded with a grateful laugh, although the one to whom you addressed this gesture will obviously not laugh.
3. Moutza
Meaning: "To hell with you!" / "I'll rub shit on your face!" / "I'll abuse your sister!"
Used in: Greece, Africa, Pakistan.
One of the most complex gestures, as complex and ancient as the tea ceremony in Japan. Probably the oldest offensive signal still in use. It appeared in Ancient Byzantium, where criminals were chained to a donkey and left for all to see. Passers-by could throw shit in the faces of criminals. In Greece, the gesture is often accompanied by shouts such as par'ta ('here') or órse ('bite'). Over the years, this gesture has taken on other meanings, including sexual ones. The five outstretched fingers represent the five sexual acts you are about to perform with the sister of the one to whom you are showing this gesture.
4. Five fathers
Meaning: "You have five fathers" (i.e. your mother is a whore).
Used in: Arab and Caribbean countries.
If you want to be deported from Saudi Arabia, you can simply publicly show someone the Five Fathers gesture. This is the most provocative gesture in the Arab world. It means that the subject's mother had so many admirers that paternity cannot be established. To show the gesture, stick the index finger of your left hand into the fingers of your right hand gathered in a bunch. This insult is very strong and will most likely provoke violence.
5. Pepper grinder
Meaning: "Crazy".
Used in: Southern Italy.
In southern Italy, this gesture is used to show that your interlocutor is crazy. The meaning of the name is that the subject's insane brain spins as fast as the blades of a pepper grinder.
6. Korna
Meaning: "Your wife is cheating on you."
Used in: Baltic countries, Brazil, Colombia, Italy, Portugal, Spain.
How to tell a man that his wife is cheating on him? This is not easy, but fortunately in some countries it is quite simple to do this: all you need to do is show a gesture called “korna”. This is a very old gesture (2500 years old) for horns. But be careful - although the "horns" are used all over the world, their meaning is different in different countries. For example, it could mean that your wife is just a fan of a rock band or a fan of the American football team.
Note: in Saudi Arabia, Syria and Lebanon, the gesture “your wife is cheating on you” is shown a little differently: a “fan” of fingers is wound behind the head, imitating a horned deer.
7. Write off
Meaning: "I'm ignoring you."
Used in: Greece.
The literal translation of the name of this gesture is st'arxidia mou - "I write this on my balls." This is, of course, a metaphor to tell the interlocutor that you are ignoring him. To show this gesture, it is not necessary to have eggs, i.e. women can also show it.
8. Cuties
Meaning: "To hell with you and your whole family."
Used in: India, Pakistan.
If you are in India or Pakistan and suddenly want to send away not only your friend, but his entire family, just use this gesture. Its origin is unknown, but the effectiveness is instantaneous and terrifying. Curl your fingers into a fist and then bite your thumb and exclaim "cutta!" ("Fuck you!"). As a result, you will be kicked out of the house where you are staying. Insult mission completed.
9. Takano
Meaning: "You are greedy."
Used in: Mexico, South America.
In many Latin American countries, the elbow is associated with greed, just as the heart is associated with love. The point is that a miserly person very rarely straightens his arm to pay the bill. If your friend is not paying his bills, tell him about it with a gesture. For greater expressiveness, you can hit the table with your elbow.
Note: In Austria and Germany, the same gesture means "You're an idiot", suggesting that the elbow is where the idiot's brains are.
10. Fishy smell
Meaning: "I don't trust you."
Used in: Southern Italy.
In business, it is important to let your partners know that you will not be taken advantage of. With this gesture, you will show them that you have guessed that they are trying to deceive you. Simply grab your nose with your index and middle fingers and move them slightly from side to side. The gesture suggests that something stinks and you are trying to get rid of that smell.