If you have eaten very heavily in this country, then out of habit you should not put your hands out with your palms outward, as if refusing and showing that you no longer want to eat. In Greece, a person showing his hand with his palm facing outwards seems to say that “you infuriate me, and I would plunge your head into...” This gesture comes from the times when criminals were smeared with black coal or excrement and driven through the streets.
2. The V-finger sign is offensive in the UK and Australia, although it is popular in those countries. The “V” sign, as a sign of victory, was invented by Winston Churchill. In this meaning, the hand must be turned with the back side towards the speaker. When the hand is turned with the palm facing the interlocutor, the gesture takes on an offensive character and means “shut up.” Although in most European countries V -a gesture in any position of the hand means “victory”.
3. “Kukish” in some countries means an offer for sex. In many countries, folded fingers are associated with sex. In Arab countries, “kukish” means a sexual insult; in Germany, this gesture shows that they want to use the services of a prostitute. In Japan and Thailand, the fig is perceived as offering a full range of sexual services. In France, this figure of three fingers has an indecent meaning and means that the middle finger of the hand is also exposed, but in Portugal and Brazil the fig is a gesture of protection.
4. Other gestures. In Argentina, keeping your hands in your pockets is considered indecent behavior; in Japan, it is not recommended to tighten your belt in public - it means the beginning of hara-kiri. Bulgarians, Greeks and Turks, when they say “Yes,” shake their heads from side to side, but for us this means “No.” By touching the eyelid with a finger, in Italy they express goodwill, in Spain, with the help of this gesture, they express their doubts about the veracity of what was said, and the Frenchman, with such a gesture, makes it clear to the person that he is “yap.” When an Englishman wants to teach someone a lesson, he raises two fingers clasped together, and in the USA this gesture means a single whole, a command.
5. In European countries, tapping your head with your palm means stupidity. Citizens of France, Germany and Italy knock themselves on the head when they think an idea is stupid. If a German hits himself on the forehead with his palm, it means “You've gone crazy!” But if in England or Spain a person hits himself on the forehead, then he praises himself for his intelligence. The Dutchman, tapping himself on the forehead and extending his index finger, makes it clear to his interlocutor that he appreciates his intelligence.
6. Index finger at the temple. This gesture is perceived differently in different countries. Scrolling a finger at the temple in Italy indicates the eccentricity of a person; in Argentina, this gesture is used to invite someone to the phone. In France, a finger at the temple means “stupidity”, in Holland it symbolizes “intelligence”, but in Great Britain this sign seems to say that a person should “live by his own mind”. In Peru, if a person holds his index finger to his temple, then he is currently thinking.
7. In Eastern and African countries, you should not show your thumb. In West Africa, South America and the Middle East, don't show how cool you are by giving a thumbs up. In these countries, this means that you have an indecent intention towards the interlocutor. In a number of countries, such as England, America, Australia and New Zealand, such a gesture has three meanings. It is used when they want to catch a passing car, or to make it clear that “everything is fine,” and if the thumb is sharply thrown up, then it is offensive and means obscene language. In some other countries, such as Greece, this gesture means “shut up.”
8. Be careful with the "OK" gesture. In Brazil, for example, this sign, which worldwide means “all is well,” is considered obscene. In this country, the "OK" gesture means the same as the middle finger. In Belgium, France and Latin America, the "OK" sign is considered offensive and means "nothing", and the Greeks use this to show a homosexual.
Offensive gestures in different countries
Gesticulation is an essential part of communication, but the peculiarity is that in different countries the same gestures can mean completely different things. Therefore, you can easily offend a person without even knowing it.
So, 8 common gestures that can be misunderstood in different countries of the world.
1. Scratch your chin.
Scratching your chin from bottom to top with your fingers together is a rather rude gesture in France, Belgium and northern Italy. It's like showing the middle finger. Focusing on the beard area in these countries is considered a sign of excessive aggression.
2. Thumb up
In the Middle East, this is the way they send people to where their legs grow. Children often indulge in this gesture, for whom raising their thumb up is like sticking out their tongue.
3. Show “pis” (peace) or “victory” (victory)
In England and Australia, two fingers raised in the shape of a V are perceived as a peace-loving sign in only one form - if the palm is turned away from you. Otherwise, “piss” is an insult equivalent in strength to a raised middle finger. Churchill himself was guilty of this “wrong” gesture.
4. “Everything is ok” sign
Showing the “everything is okay” gesture, when the tips of the thumb and index fingers are closed and the other fingers are raised up, does not always mean that everything is okay. So, in Turkey and Venezuela this is how homosexuals are identified, in France it means “not worth attention” or “total zero”, and in Brazil it’s like scratching your chin in northern Italy.
5. High five with fingers outstretched
In Greece, such a gesture with the palm facing away from you is considered offensive. It comes from the times when criminals were led through the streets, and onlookers threw all sorts of nasty things at them with outstretched fingers.
6. Show the “goat”
This gesture, shown with someone's back in Spain or Italy, means that the spouse is cuckolding him/her, and the person himself is a complete loser. “Goat” in these countries has nothing in common with rock music.
7. Pass things with one hand
In China and Japan, you need to pass objects with both hands, be it a business card, a camera or something else. This is a sign of respect, openness and consideration.
8. Cross your fingers for luck
Indeed, crossed index and middle fingers in Europe are a symbol of wishing good luck. But not in Vietnam, where this gesture means female genitalia.
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Remember that the same gestures have completely different meanings among different peoples.
"Come here"
The beckoning sign with your index finger that says “come to me” is taboo in Asian countries. In the Philippines, this gesture is only appropriate in relation to dogs and indicates that you consider the other person inferior to you. Moreover, using such a gesture can lead to arrest in this country.
“Koz” is loved by rock musicians, metalheads and their fans. However, you should not show it in Italy, Spain or Macedonia, especially to a man, since the gesture hints at the infidelity of the recipient’s wife (“cuckold”). Among superstitious people in Western countries, the sign of a “goat” means the same thing as spitting over our shoulder, that is, the usual protection from the evil eye, witches and various evil spirits.
"Like"
The familiar “like”, a gesture of agreement and approval, often erases language barriers, and hitchhikers often vote with it on the road.
However, in Thailand it is a sign of condemnation. Although it is rather childish, like sticking out your tongue, it should be avoided. In Iran, this is an offensive gesture, the equivalent of sticking out the middle finger. In some other countries, such as Greece, this gesture means “shut up.” 
Gesture "Victory"
The gesture, which shows the index and middle finger of the hand in the form of the letter V, signifies victory or peace in many countries. However, if the palm is facing the person, then in the UK, Ireland and Australia the V-shape becomes an offensive gesture, which is the non-verbal equivalent of the phrase “fuck off!”
The fact is that the English archers, who instilled fear in their enemies in the 100-year Anglo-French War, had precisely these two fingers on their right hand cut off so that they could no longer shoot from bows. And if the archer showed intact fingers like this, it meant “be afraid, enemies!” The French perceived this gesture as an insult to them. 
Exposed palm
An outstretched palm, which is used to express a request to stop or stop, takes on a different meaning in Greece. Palms directed towards the interlocutor - the so-called “muntsa” - are used when they want to express extreme indignation or “send” the interlocutor. This gesture remains from Byzantine times, when smoke was smeared on the face of a criminal to ridicule him.
Patting on the head
Patting a child's head is usually a gesture of friendliness and affection. However, in the Buddhist religion, the crown is the highest point of the body, that is, the place where the soul resides. Touching the top of the head is an aggressive invasion of a person’s space. This gesture should be avoided in countries where the majority of people practice Buddhism.
"Fig"
The gesture “fig”, “shish” or “kukish” is used in case of refusal or disagreement. In Brazil and Portugal it is a more benevolent gesture, a way of wishing good luck and protection from the evil eye. In Turkey it has an aggressive and rude character, the equivalent of which is the middle finger. In many countries, folded fingers are associated with sex. In Arab countries, kukish means a sexual insult. In France, this three-finger figure means the same as the extended middle finger of the hand.
Offer, invitation
In many countries, people do not pay attention to which hand they use to offer something to other people. However, in India, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East, the left hand is considered “dirty”. Even a left-handed person should eat with his right hand, since only it is considered suitable for eating. The same goes for shaking hands and passing objects. But in Japan, it is considered polite when you give with both hands, while a gesture with one hand can imply disdain.
Fingers crossed
In many Western countries, people cross their index and middle fingers for good luck or to ward off the evil eye. In Vietnam, this gesture is considered offensive, especially if you are looking at another person. Crossed fingers are believed to represent the female genitals.
Middle finger
This is the most famous and recognizable indecent gesture in the whole world, which is shown when they want to send the interlocutor to hell, end the conversation or rudely refuse. In addition, this is one of the most ancient gestures, which was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as by monkeys. In Asian countries, however, the middle finger is sometimes used to point at something.
OK gesture
A ring made from the thumb and index finger, meaning “everything is okay!” or "OK", in French means "zero" or "worthless". In Greece and Turkey, this gesture is considered a hint of homosexuality. And in some Middle Eastern countries, such as Kuwait, it means the evil eye.
Other gestures in different countries
In Argentina, keeping your hands in your pockets is considered indecent; in Japan, it is not recommended to tighten your belt in public - this means the beginning of hara-kiri. Bulgarians, Greeks and Turks shake their heads from side to side when they say “Yes,” but for us it means “No.” By touching the eyelid with a finger, in Italy they express goodwill, in Spain, with the help of this gesture, they express their doubts about the veracity of what was said, and the Frenchman with such a gesture makes it clear to the person that he is talking too much. When an Englishman wants to teach someone a lesson, he raises two fingers clasped together, and in the USA this gesture means a single whole, a command. 
By clenching your palm into a fist and raising your index finger and little finger up, you will get the famous “crown” or “horns” - a gesture that was first used by the group Black Sabbath and picked up by all fans of “heavy metal”.
In many cultures, this gesture symbolizes the cuckolded devil, which is why people subconsciously attribute certain satanic traits to heavy rock, and lovers of “heavy” guitar riffs are considered admirers of the evil Lucifer. However, here it is worth telling yourself to stop and make allowances for the “cultural wind”, because, for example, in Hinduism and Buddhism, the “goat” is a positive gesture and is used to dispel evil.
In Mediterranean countries, “horns” are shown exclusively to men whose dandruff is not dandruff at all, but sawdust from cut down horns. In other words, this sign can indicate to a Mediterranean man that his wife prefers other people's sheets. It is in this context that “horns” are used by fans dissatisfied with the decision of a football referee in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Colombia, Brazil, Albania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Thus, the judge is asked to go “to the soap” and is told “While you are here in the field, your wife is pruning roses with the gardener!”
