8 Gestures to AVOID in Asia | OTGW

If you want to make friends in new places, avoid these gestures in Asia guys :P
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[@dragonweyr44]

in western culture, the only times I know of that people use "the fig" gesture is when they're playing the "got your nose" game

[@NTDOffTheGreatWall]

interesting.. i've only known it as an offensive gesture all this time. and Felicia doesn't even know what that means -- Mia

[@dragonweyr44]

Off the Great Wall Do you know the "got your nose" game is?

[@michaelwolfcub3555]

Don't know about west but in eastern europe ''the fig'' is also used (or atleast was) by cheapskates or, when referring to kids, someone that could share ,for example snacks or toys but doesn't. It's almost never used nowadays, anyway.

[@dragonweyr44]

Mikelis vilcens Sorry, I should have said "in America"

[@orangelike9732]

we do the fig and the got your nose game in western europe too

[@cogs11]

Shaking your leg is a Restless Leg Syndrome. Its not always for nervousness. Some people do it unconsciously when they're excited.

[@southpaw612]

Yes! They were so unnecessarily mean about it too lol.

[@NTDOffTheGreatWall]

+filipamd oh no i didnt know about that! This was in the context of being fidgety, and my dad used to tell me to stop doing it. But thanks for sharing this!

[@KajiRider1997]

I just do it for fun.

[@8Clowny]

I was told that shaking your legs, especially for guys, means you are either low class, horny or both.

[@cogs11]

8Clowny That's stupid. Who shakes their legs when they're horny ?

[@TahmNong]

I'm from Thailand and so many foreigners keep telling me the thumbs up is a bad gesture, but I've never heard that before. My friends and I always do it, especially after Facebook "like" symbol made it common haha. In many Thai LINE stickers you can always find a thumbs up one. People will assume you mean "good" or "okay" if you use it

[@encro]

Have to agree with you, my girlfriend is Thai and her and family have never heard of this one. Even in more remote parts like Nong Bua Lam Phu I encountered no one who thought of thumbs up as meaning "I hate you". It's a universal gesture of all good or that everything is OK. Pointing at something using your foot or closing the fridge/cupboards etc with the foot and touching someone on the head is considered as much more offensive gestures in Thailand.

[@TahmNong]

Yeah! The pointing/touching with your foot or showing/touching someone with the bottom of your foot is far more rude and should have been in this video instead of the thumbs up~

[@sisternong]

+TahmNong I think these girls are talking about the thumb gesture children do when they are saying 'i'm angry/mad at u now' and the little finger representing 'let's make up'. only thing is these girls don't really know what the gestures really mean and in what situation it is used, and so inteprete it wrong.

[@kungkoe6251]

Agree with you Nong Nong. And it's considered as childish thing to do, so no one take it seriously anyway. ps. I havn't seen anyone use "thumb up" as "I hate you" for years. 555

[@dkn2951]

yet the fig sign in Indonesia is true

[@heylilmamaletmewhisperinur1673]

Don't whistle to call someone in Asia.(Not a gesture but, its rude to call someone like an animal.) Don't put your feet towards someone who is an elder or of high status. Also, the left hand in Indonesia is because most wash and eat with their right hand like food or rice while the left is to "wipe" your bottom cheeks. The fig looks like a V and a CL_T if you look straight at it. ;)

[@khairulhussain517]

same for me too

[@pickletineeltaimados5205]

"The fig" actually means the letter "n" in American Sign Language as well, so in America if one does that everyone's either "???" or "Why are you saying 'n' in sign language?" :|

[@TheBlondeyBoy]

shout or whistle...youve obviously never served mainland chinese students in a Restaurant. Not saying they all do that...but ive encountered that a number of times.

[@wizzy77667767]

+Pickletine El Taimados Hoshi Amaroq "T" not "N" :)

[@frijolsmom]

+Pickletine el Taimados it also is an adult & child game and the adult often says "I got your nose" after touching the child's nose.

[@ladyturquoise8894]

the fig is extremely offensive in Turkey too...it's like the equivalent of the middle finger

[@orangelike9732]

lol in many parts of europe and in america is used for the "got your nose" game

[@dawnschaffner8895]

In Russia as well

[@ocelotas]

In Lithuania also

[@PietroBranca]

Southern Italy, offensive too

[@oanaivan4066]

In Romania it means that you get ZERO of "something" and is usually accompanied by the saying 'ciuciu"

[@JennaRuland]

My mom has a mild neurological disorders that makes her shake her legs. Guess I'm never taking her to Japan... lmao

[@orangelike9732]

xd

[@cottoncandybear1058]

I feel bad for her

[@JennaRuland]

+FrostyTheWolf God She's okay! It's acceptable where we live anyway. It doesn't affect her mobility. It mostly happens when she's been sitting for a long time.

[@YGYGYGYGYGYG]

No take her wherever she wants be proud and never care about what they think! I personally don't find the gesture offensive but for those who think so, your mom isn't doing it on purpose it's all good :)

[@MKMonsterr]

I know that in many places, including Japan, they are more lenient when foreigners do things that are considered rude or unusual in their country because obviously they don't know what natives to the country do. Honestly, it'd be super rude of people to expect tourists to automatically know their customs anyway.

[@blendacamargo220]

OMG "The Fig" is a sign of wishing/attracting good luck here in Brazil We even have tiny fig statues for good luck, or you can have a fig pendant in you bracelet, or necklace

[@frijolsmom]

very informative, thanks for sharing this information. good to know info about such a lovely country.

[@kalidali7023]

Lol don't go to japan

[@boringbreaker]

Indonesia

[@fredojunior6635]

Its an offensive gesture to most Asian countries. It literally means clit or female genitalia.

[@vickywen6467]

The fig is a sign of sexual activities in Indonesia haha so the thumb is the Mr. P and when you put it in the midde of your index and middle finger, it symbolizes the penetrating activity 😂 But in the Dutch colonializatio era, it is used by the Dutch as the "good luck" gesture hehe

[@SoWhaatxD]

"Patting the head" is a sign of love in my culture. It's used to stop a person from crying or just a sign of affection and bond. Like if my little sister was crying, I'd try to cheer her up and pat her head and say "love love" (love you), and reassure her that she was ok.

[@toddbod94]

Curling your finger to beckon someone is rude in the west as well.

[@PongoXBongo]

It's how a parent calls a naughty child. The overhand wave is much more polite and welcoming.

[@purplegirl02]

Oh really? I don't think so though because that's how most people ask someone to "come here" in the US~ When I first came to America I was shocked that someone was doing.. I still find it rude til today, but it's ok since it's not really a rude gesture in America. Right? or should I be mad cause they really are being rude? hehe

[@toddbod94]

It would be rude to beckon someone in that way in the U.K. You really only see it used by parents to beckon naughty children.

[@purplegirl02]

Oh I see! So it's also rude in UK~ cause in the US it is not :O

[@PongoXBongo]

purplegirl02 Like a lot of things in the US, it's still a bit off putting, but not enough for people to overlook it in the name of multiculturalism. Gotta pick your battles. ;)

[@sugarrpalm]

I'm from Thailand and I think the thumb up gesture is a bad thing only for kids. Most kids will thumb up to their friends when they are mad at them but for adults it means good or cool like other countries.

[@NTDOffTheGreatWall]

lol yeah i did that too when i was mad at my sister back when we were little in indonesia. not sure how we picked that one up. -- Mia

[@XxHikidashixX]

That last one is needed for ASL (American Sign Language) "t" o:

[@orangelike9732]

and for the "got your nose" game

[@KagamineButton]

Emphasis on American...

[@PongoXBongo]

We just can't do anything internationally can we, always gotta be a special snowflake. >_

[@dominodingo3946]

and the gesture for "bathroom" or "toilet" in ASL is making a "t" and shaking it back and forth! : D

[@adamp1955]

PongoXBongo, seriously, where did you people get the word snowflake? I see it everywhere of social media now.

[@Philemaphobia]

In Germany the fig is a game you play with children. You are mockingly "stealing" their nose.

[@lunamaria2373]

Same in the U.S but I don't think there was ever a name for it

[@lunamaria2373]

That hand gesture is also the American Sign Language for bathroom

[@tmd63]

It is also played in the UK. You joke about nicking a childs nose and the thumb is supposed to look like the nose in your fingers.

[@marii8ytb]

we do that in Brazil too!

[@marii8ytb]

blarg69man ok

[@angel-wong]

I shake my leg when i need to pee lmao 😂😂

[@user-rv9dp6so8g]

so does my dad. We call it "the toilet dance" in my house!!! +_+超膽子

[@frijolsmom]

lol, the toilet dance

[@IamChandEvil]

I shake my ass when I need joint

[@shushuyu]

I do that leg shaking gesture when I'm bored or pissed off because of waiting. People are haters and they are quick to judge but oh well..I always dance to my tune anyways not like it matters.

[@eavening4149]

left handed passing was once also considered rude in the USA. I don't know if that has changed with the advent of the drive thru and greater acceptance of left-handedness.

[@RolandHutchinson]

Interesting thought that drive-thru (and, earlier, drive-ins?) might have played a role in the acceptance of left-handedness. It is also the case that left-handed kids in the USA used frequently to be encouraged or forced to switch to using the right hand in school and/or at home up until around the 1950s or 1960s (and sometimes after that). I hadn't thought of this before, but the greater acceptance of left-handed writers came about about the same time that cheap ballpoint pens (which Americans do NOT call biros!) became plentiful and replaced dip and fountain pens in the classroom. Those pre-ballpoint pens favored righties, since they were much less likely to smear the still-wet ink when writing from right to left. (Lefties could partly get around the problem by holding the paper at an extreme angle.)

[@rogue_nomad]

I am shaking my legs always not because of nervousness, i just want to move my legs to improve circulation. Most people stuck in a desk jobs usually do this. I see to it that I'm all alone when i do this though.

[@dana-jd2kr]

I miss the Chen brothers 😢

[@ethandagamer255]

they are not Brothers, they're just friends but yeah I still miss them

[@deeznuts36924]

they have their own channel(s): double chen and double chen news

[@dhruvmistry4626]

They moved to California

[@deeznuts36924]

they're still making vids though

[@BunnyFett]

Go watch their channels.

[@evangelionlyfans]

i don't appreciate how haughty they were about the leg shaking... for me, it's an anxiety thing. people often can't control it.

[@sammyso4940]

aisha you sound like a gambler who's in debt denying he has a gambling problem

[@dm7626]

SmoothRide not really. It depends on the type of anxiety and the cause . Some is conditioned but environmental and other types is harder to get rid of . With environmental people should just learn to hide the ‘reaction’ .

[@ElisabettaMartina]

In Italy we do the last one gesture (expecially to kids), exemple: before you touch the nose of the other person, then do that gesture and say "Look I take your nose! Now you don't have one until you don't open my hand!" It's only a stupid game to do with very little kids.

[@mastermoonlightvariety]

wow, I came across this website that explained that, statistically, leg shaking and nail biting were actually signs of someone who thinks too much or a sign of being a perfectionist. I learn something new about different cultures each day lol

[@CuteKristy179]

Leg shaking can mean anxiety guys. Some people have anxiety and so it's hard for them to control it. It's really sad to judge people

[@MissKellyBean]

Ha! The last one is the "I got your nose!" gesture. Do people still do that trick with little kids? (Pretend you've snatched their nose off and have it in your hand?) I guess when I say it out loud it sounds kind of mean but....still hilarious. Hur!

[@penguin-tc1cx]

The two Japanese ones, One hand giving and shaking your legs, is so true. I'm half Japanese so like everytime I give something in one hand to like for example my grandparents, I always have to remind myself to give the gift in two hands. For the shaking legs, I always like do it in restaurants when I'm like hungry and stuff but like when my mom sees this happening.. She'll say : No no. Don't do that. That's impolite;and stuff like that.

[@annamariaporeba9862]

In Poland crossing pointing and middle fingers(mainly behind your back or under the desk) is a sign that you are avoiding telling the truth or at least not tell whole truth oraz you hopes your lie stay in secret. like you sends "sorry, its a lie i hopes it'll be firgiven & forgotten"

[@jaykatara8860]

The only time we do that last one is when we're playing "got your nose" with a kid

[@fqn3]

Final tip: Don't use any hand gesture anywhere.

[@farhadnadjm1034]

Entertaining as ever! Thank you, ladies. I've a feeling that "the fig" is Italian. I've seen left hand on right elbow and raise right forearm, again (I think) Italian, and I am curious as to whether that means anything in Far East. Another one that flummoxes many visiting good old Blighty [ where? one of you knows! ;-) ] is two fingers raised in a victory V, which I see many Chinese girls doing in online, but this one is in reverse (like flipping someone off, but with the index finger raised as well. If you knos where it came from, great! If you don't, reach out (er, American phrase?) and I'll tell you! Love the laughter!

[@yoggerzzz]

The "fig" hand gesture you demonstrated is rarely used in modern day Western culture, but it is a Western culture hand gesture as well. We call it the mano fico (fig hand) and is associated with the Roman era. It was used for magical protection against the evil eye. It still has a strong connection in the metaphysical communities and is more oftenly used for general protection.

[@GabiAPF]

The "wet toilet" is called "bidet", I was shocked when I learned that some countries didn't use them regularly.

[@ghtry5]

Mia is so cute from Asian's perspective

[@ulysessoliverasponyman]

yes she is

[@GhassanYounis]

From every culture's perspective.

[@ghtry5]

Because I am a Chinese,I am not sure other culture's sense of beauty

[@jungkooksbeautifulvoice7326]

I'm Greek, but I consider her really cute💖

[@ulysessoliverasponyman]

+t md yes they are

[@Varyushka100]

That is so interesting how the fig means so many different things in different countries. In Russia the fig sign is usually used to say "you are not getting it" whatever it is the person wants. Like for example if my brother asks me for money and I don't want to give him any I would jokingly show him the fig, like "you can get the fig, but not the money". Basically used to deny a request among friends or relatives.

[@moorek1967]

I have MS and tend to shake my legs a lot. It's either that or my whole body has tremors. But generally when I get bored quickly I tend to do it more. So if I were stuck listening to a long presentation then I might do it. It does help keep you focused actually.

[@HongFeiBai]

Does that mean in Thailand you can't thumbs up on social media?

[@orangepinlac1949]

👍

[@ChrisSlack]

I think I've given the thumbs up while in Thailand and not used two hands in Japan!!

[@orangelike9732]

xD

[@wacalvin]

The left hand usage that you mentioned is also bad in Saudi Arabia. My dad was CFO for this construction company in the 1970's and his boss, the CEO, was a Left-Handed person. They were invited to dinner by one of the Prince upon signing a major construction contract ( worth about $ 27 Million). My dad had to tell his boss to keep his left hand under the seat.

[@StellaMangundap]

2 minutes in this video and i already Love it!

[@NTDOffTheGreatWall]

yay :)

[@jambread848]

Oh, I love the moment when the left girl(long beautiful brown hair girl) says 'poop!' Hahahaha

[@jambread848]

Oh, she is Felicia. At the end all of you sitting in one screen and shows your name. Thanks! I thought Felicia is Chinese and Mia is from Korea.

[@calvarianaaruds2735]

+James Bond nope, Mia is from Indonesia

[@jambread848]

Oh really? Haha I thought 'all of them are Chinese' at first because this show's title is 'Off the great wall'. Then I got to think 'Maybe that short hair girl is Korean, her way to talk English is Korean way'. Now I got to know that Felicia and Mia are both not Chinese, and Mia is not Korean! Wao... Maybe other 2 guys are not Chinese either? ㅇㅅㅇ

[@calvarianaaruds2735]

+James Bond I mean she is chinese but she is from Indonesia and I'm pretty sure that Felicia chinese aswell :D

[@amycheng5153]

Feliciano is half Vietnamese and half Chinese. Mia is full Chinese, but raised in Indonesia.

[@dwirasuryo]

indonesian parents be like "pake tangan yg bagus (right hand" 😂

[@HH-he4pw]

Use the good hand haha.. And i was like 'but both of them is good'

[@KajiRider1997]

That last gesture ''The fig'' is a gesture against the evil eye in Sicily and one of the few pagan signs that survived the fall of Rome. I have a necklace of it in Rose wood and a few weeks I saw some one sell an 19th century auctioneer hammer with the gesture on it for ALLOT of money. The other sign against the evil eye (making the horns) is now mostly used in Metal concerts. Just funny how cultures differ.

[@gianasantarossa8018]

omg! I'm polish and my grandmother taught me the fig gesture when i was little, it means something like 'get lost', or sometimes when the person asks you to give them something and you are not giving it to them you say 'have a fig', it's quite rude tho. I would have never guessed the gesture is used in Asia

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

Babies are not that fragile. You can pat them on the head. They're actually surprisingly robust.

[@devinwintz7963]

ik i threw one once and it just bounced

[@Cloud-db6zb]

+Devin Wintz wut

[@HerBos]

@Devin Wintz. Me too... Surprisingly mine remained alive and unhurt.

[@devinwintz7963]

+Ikarus oo impressive

[@keonvneon]

Homebirth Homeschool Homestead Lmao your profile pic

[@crazywhiteguyopinion7194]

you didn't mention pointing

[@balazon2000]

The Fig is also used by adults when playing with young children. You reach for a child's nose and when you pull your hand away you place the fingers and thumb in the same formation and tell the child you have their nose.

[@fujiyokocookiecutter]

Does anyone have a link to the episode featured in the ending segway of this episode? There's three episode clips featured but only two of them have clicking parameters. :|

[@bigdeal4147]

felicia is gorgeous!!!!

[@erikrosdorff606]

We must just look like the world's biggest jerks

[@sammyso4940]

Yup.

[@lunarotimas]

but in Japan they have half hour workouts at most work and school. leg shaking is usually lack of physical activity

[@MKMonsterr]

Oh! The fig sign is also used in Europe as well! Also, in the US if you cross your fingers behind your back it means you are lying. Doing it while promising to do something means you are not going to do it, or that you don't actually mean in.

[@lululunavideos3610]

Okay Felicia, you really look like Nada. Especially when she's without makeup.

[@NTDOffTheGreatWall]

Hahah you're talking about the Unpretty Rapstar contestant right?

[@lululunavideos3610]

+Off the Great Wall Yes!

[@jennysearle5353]

In the western world we do do the "The Fig" when we pretend to steal someone's nose, usually a child's. You go to pinch their nose and say "I've gotcha nose" whilst showing the hand gesture.

[@_heyitskei_]

well if i shake my legs in japan....on their fuji q roller coaster then is that normal because i do have a reason to be scared or is it still a bad thing

[@mentino1556]

In Hungary we do "the fig" it's called: Fityisz and it means the same as giving the middle finger to someone. but we use both gestures.

[@zd216]

Hey I'm really early !

[@eaglestomach9011]

Hi, Really Early, I'm Dad.

[@zd216]

Eagle Stomach 😂

[@keonvneon]

Zeynep Demir Daddy (Lenny face)

[@iveyjr5148]

fuck i sceriously don't understand the prescriptive of peoples i am a left handed and wgen sat dwon to eat food on various occasion and if someone points and says he is a left handed , i become so embarassed, was it my fault i got end up with left hand ,Why the fuck is the worl so fucking twisted?

[@defacto.3052]

I was originally left handed, I naturally grabbed the pencil with my left hand. but my parents smacked me around till I wrote with my right. Great parents I have.

[@nedwardjordan4182]

I shake my leg because I dont like the feeling of being sedentary. I feel like sitting for a while makes my body feel strange to me. I often pace also. I like to feel my muscles working for me. I would have so much trouble sitting still if it were for long hours. Is pacing considered rude?

[@raszka6684]

In Europe (or at least in Eastern Europe) 'the fig' means like 'I wish you good luck', or 'I hope for *something*' etc.

[@micwill1419]

in asia don't do this don't do that but in western DO ANYTHING YOU LIKE😂

[@user-rv9dp6so8g]

+MC.W TV，Hmmm ⋯⋯ why does a saying come to mind which goes like, "Everything is permissible but not everything is good and beneficial." I think you might be a little wrong in your theory? Anyway, you can't do anything you like in the west. There is such a thing as LAWS!! Or am I wrong? Are you saying that that is the concept that is taught? At least where you live? Sorry if I misunderstood... I guess you'll forgive me？超膽子^_^

[@martianbunny]

In some parts of Europe ( the UK and Ireland I think), do not do a peace sign with your palm facing towards yourself, because it means fu. The middle finger is fairly rude but kind of overused now. Thumbs up in Italy is also like the middle finger in the US. In Spain, if you use the 'devil horns' (index and pinkie finger up, middle and ring finger held down by thumb) you are calling a guy an ignorant cuckold. Also in Italy is if you pinch your nose, you are calling someone a liar, or someone is spewing bs.

[@Vortica]

'Thumbs up in Italy is also like the middle finger in the US.' ? Not at all. In Italy thumbs up and middle finger have the same meaning as in the US. No difference at all.

[@alicetwain]

Thumbs up in Italy is a thumb in the middle of the air. It has no specific meaning except for thise who watch lots of TV and know its american meaning. We traditionally use the horn sign (fingers folded except index and pinkie sticking up).

[@maximumkillmtg]

Not quite true. In the US, I once declined to have a small talk with the cashier which is something very normal in pretty much the whole Asia Pacific and everybody around looked at me like I was rude af. Another time I finished a small transaction and offered a thank but did not offer a handshake (never occurred to me to do so, never a part of the business etiquette I grew up with), the other party looked at me like I was some uncivilized hobo. If those things were to happen in any part of Asia Pacific no one would bat an eye. Point is, these non-verbal cues mean different things in different places. And in the West there are also things that shouldn't be done as well. It's just that people who always live there may never realize it.

[@latoyajohnson1162]

Asian women are beautiful

[@VitalOpinion]

In relation to The Fig: "In many countries, such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Denmark, and the Czech Republic, this sign has no obscene meaning and is instead used in a game where you "steal" someones nose. You will usually do this with small children where you pretend to take their nose and then say "I've got your nose". The thumb represents the "stolen" nose held between your index and middle finger." Wikipdeia

[@user-rv9dp6so8g]

+Off the Great Wall, one thing which is very rude in England, but seems perfectly acceptable in almost every other country, is doing the "peace" sign the other way round. So, when we do the number two on our hands, those who have more understanding of the meaning, will have their two fingers together. For example, I have seen many tourists do the sign for peace （or 耶！in China）, for photos. Now if it is done the other way round in England it is considered extremely rude, because there was some kind of scrum with the French (obviously...), and that sign was to show that the two fingers were not cut off as promised so now, it is like swearing at someone to do the two fingers apart, and the other way round, at anyone. It that so in the US? I know in China it means "yeah!" （耶！） but what about other places? 超膽子^_^

[@AvailableNameForMe]

you're probably talking about the victory sign. actually, a lot of people don't even know about it and confuse it with the peace sign all the time. especially teens think either way it's just "peace" xD they aren't even aware

[@lifewithmel9894]

Wait what who uses their left hand to poop

[@philmaggiacomo]

It's for those who lack toilet paper; they need to wipe with something.

[@LV_427]

Many asian cultures use their left hand and water to wash their buttcrack.

[@MrYukishiroguel]

in phil. it's opposite, (as far as I remember) we use thumb to make up or make friends and show pinky finger when we fight with our friends or it means friendship is over (when I was a child).

[@dashingapothecary7118]

// what if you are shaking your leg or foot because your ADD. . . also the crossing of your fingers is either good luck or an action to get out of a promise

[@michaelswayne]

The last gesture is most often used in the U.S. (at least as far as I know) with little children. Parents or other adults would sometimes grab a child's nose with the index and middle finger, then when they would pull it away, they'd place their thumb there and say, "I've got your nose." After that, they would reverse the process to "put back" the child's nose.

[@dhruvmistry4626]

It's same in India with the left hand. In India we always do things with our right hand as it's considered clean also when we eat we use our right hand

[@dorinpopa6962]

In easter Europe the fig is usually used when you want to say "you will get nothing from me". It is considered a bit rude.

[@strangebrutoo]

Thumb between index and middle finger (the fig): In Russia (which actually is part of Asia) and probably all the ex-Soviet republics and maybe even more countries in that region (Turkey, etc.) .... that gesture is the same as the U.S.A. gesture of sticking up your middle finger. So it definitely spread much further than just southeast Asia.

[@AngeliaMeow]

for the second one, "come here," I actually get that feeling too! I feel like that's usually a sign one would do for dogs or something.

[@Reverse2057]

another one i heard about but havent yet checked for confirmation is the 'peace' sign with two fingers. in the US its common to see it both palm forward and back of hand forward. either way. but i think in the UK if you do it with the back of your hand forward its seen as a sign of flipping the bird to someone. correct me if in wrong.

[@peterhieuvu]

Indeed. At least in some areas. Source: friend who lived in the U.K.

[@Roisin127]

Yeah that means "f*ck off" in most places in Europe and definitely in Ireland :P

[@doobietwo9549]

Yes it is right source:a fellow englishman / me

[@RolandHutchinson]

Apropos these cultural differences, there was a rather politically incorrect episode of the sitcom "Are You Being Served" (was there any other kind?) in which they got into a situation that they had to get out of by telling some visiting Japanese businessmen that the back-of-the-hand-forward V was "the English workingman's salute". Hilarity ensued.

[@brandonmorgan8030]

The only things I would add are that using both hands when giving and receiving something is also a Korean thing too, and using your left hand is viewed the same way in Saudi Arabia (Used to live in both these countries).

[@dylanakent]

I have heard/seen the fig with Italians/Sicilians. Very informative video!

[@orangelike9732]

it is a (kinda) common thing in many parts of europe

[@surdude282]

Interesting. About the last gesture. (the fig / thumb between index and middle finger) In American Sign Language that gesture (with thumb pointing upwards) is the letter "n". The gesture with the thumb between your middle and ring finger is the letter "m". Notice the similarities between the single "hump" of a lowercase "n" and the bad hand gesture?

[@GoodOne4All]

awesome video!! 👍 its a religious not not just, the Indonesian part with the hands is actually for Malaysia and well whereever Muslim majority area is. it's tradition to use right hands for somethings and left for others.

[@drama2u]

you ladies are funny and real. .keep up the good work

[@Lethality112]

Now I'm curious. You said when I give someone in like business situations something I do it with both hands. But what if the guy's a good friend of mine? Or like the parents of my good friend?

[@raquelferreira8977]

In some parts of Portugal "The Fig" is used to protect from bad luck or witchcraft :)

[@TechnologyFML]

I hadn't heard of "The Fig" gesture, but researching it a little now, it seems to be somewhat common in many countries. My first thought was that it's the sign for the letter "T" in American Sign Language.

[@jambeats2306]

Igbo dances from the Igbo tribe in Nigeria is all about waist, chest, and leg vibrations and for me as an Igbo that's basically the only way I can dance as I can get my head around the millions of dance steps from the western world and other places in the world and most times when I am listening to music with my headset I tend to forget myself and get into the mood even when am walking down the road many bike accidents I have had in my life can say for that but but heck I don't want any one giving me dirty looks when am in my world with my vibrating legs dance.

[@tannewton]

Hi, I'm from Vietnam too. I didn't know about that fingers crossed sign. Well, perhaps because my parents never taught me that sign. Living in Germany, I also don't know many Vietnamese swear words or insults.

[@Artdeepmind]

Its funny, I mean "The fig" here in Slovakia, we usually /nowadays more older people or villagers/ do that gesture when they try to offend you , Id say it has very similar meaning as middle finger

[@stunnaman9696]

we have the FIG too. Im from Kazakhstan. also it's common in the countries that ussr used to include

[@garretthuckabay3110]

do you think asain countries would be forgiving of deaf people who would want to travel there being that they only communicate with gestures and some of the ones featured are prominent signs in their language?

[@Iptfog]

I think I remember reading that the don't give something with your left hand is a tradition from a time when they didn't have toilet paper, and couldn't wash there hands often.

[@johngafkay6569]

I like to add something about hand gesture "the fig" gesture when the hand is upright and shaking back and forth it means "i need to go to bathroom or restroom" in ASL which i American Sign Language by little kids.

[@lekside]

In Africa, Nigeria specifically, you don't give things with your left hands because lefty is a no no. Also, you don't touch someones head either. Also, putting your hand up without waving means somethings like "insulting your mother".

[@CGiles]

in korea, you have to pass things over to someone whilst holding your elbow too.

[@gwendolynhulteen7506]

Yes! Got your nose game! I havent seen this recently, but my mother would do this when I was a child.

[@charlieraven6342]

I shake my legs because I have restless leg syndrome and another chronic illness that makes my legs cramp and I have to move them. good to know people see it as uneducational

[@DeanReen]

The fig is done when you take someones nose?

[@scalvarese1]

I don't have any new gestures to add, but I would like to share some similarities and an interesting fact. In Catholism, we were always taught to wipe with our left and shake with our right because using the left hand is sinful. This makes sense to me because in traditional Catholic school children are always taught to write with their right hand. Otherwise, the nuns would use corrective action by hitting your left hand with a ruler. Among Chinese Elders, giving something using two hands is considered very respectful. Also, among Chinese Elders, at least those in the Guangdong area, shaking tour legs is considered rude and impolite. Speaking of which, which also brings me to the interesting fact; shaking your legs can indicate an insecure attachment from early early childhood.

[@Nora-ox3jn]

So you told us not to do the thumb in between your fingers, but unless I missed it, what does that gesture mean?

[@driftingdruid]

The thumb between the middle finger & the index finger is a letter of the alphabet in ASL (American Sign Language). I forget which letter, because I'm not fluent in ASL, but what if you're deaf &/or mute & need to use that letter to communicate a specific sign/word?

[@carollynch8319]

+what it's the letter T if shaken it also means toilet. Thumb between the middle and ring finger is the letter M. 😃

[@tangen4573]

+what everywhere

[@sonyareagle8373]

Thumb between index and middle is the letter T. If shook (at the wrist), it means toilet or bathroom. Thumb between middle finger and ring finger is the letter N. Thumb between ring finger and pinky is the letter M. Those signs are for Americans. Other places will have their own signs. And, actually, there are different signs for the same meanings here in America alone as well. Some signs are different due to what kind of sign language you are using (ASL, English, contact) and then some signs are regional.

[@daneslater3101]

Thumbs up & down is usually used when environment is not desirable for verbal conversation, in the Philippines at least. For example in a construction site where machines are roaring or conversing to a person across another room through a glass.

[@SqualLionheart777]

Omg this 2 girls are so pretty! I cant even blink my eyes when watch this tube

[@cinxthu]

Also in WITNAM, if you cross your pointer finger over your middle figer and point it at someone, it just basically means like you are flipping someone off

[@bamasworo6395]

in Indonesia (especially Javanese people) staring the older people or people we respect right into the eyes while having a talk with them is considered impolite or rude because they believe that it's like you disagree or you're against them. so we have to like stare down at somewhere while nodding, to show that we understand what they're talking about.

[@KamiKo-gs3xr]

The thumbs up and pinky thingi in Thai also happens in india! Only for kids tho. I remember when I visited the little kids used to do that a lot lol.

[@spyfry39]

"The fig" is the symbol for"t" in American sign language and is also commonly used in elementary school for a sign to show you have to use the restroom.

[@mylanyoung]

I know that this would be completely unrelated to your channel content, but could Felicia please please pleaseeee upload a tutorial for her makeup and hair? She looks gorgeous here!

[@sulasno]

The thumb is known as "bong" in Thai. The gesture of bonging is used by kids when they are angry at friends. Never used by adults hence not really offensive