JULY 8 HAND GESTURES WITH DIFFERENT MEANINGS OVERSEAS

JULY 6  HAND GESTURES WITH DIFFERENT MEANINGS OVERSEAS

Summer is in full swing and that means High Season for international travel. If you're headed overseas, the DUNER BLOG has some advice for you: Keep your hands in your pockets. Here's the problem: Americans can only speak English, so when they encounter a language barrier, they often chose to communicate with their hands instead of with words. Unfortunately, our common gestures can mean something completely different in another country. Here are five examples:

THUMBS UP. This gesture dates back to Ancient Rome. Emperors would use their thumb to signify whether a gladiator lives or dies. Two millenniums later, it's still great to get the "Thumbs Up." However, in parts of the world without a Greco-Roman heritage, the gesture has the opposite meaning. Fortunately, tourists don't go to West Africa, Iraq and Iran, so it's safe to use this one. The only confusing thing is Europeans start counting with their thumbs. So if a waiter gives you the thumbs-up, he is asking if you want one beer.

PEACE SIGN. When anger arises, many Americans offer the sign of peace...displaying the index and middle fingers. Also known as the 'V' for Victory, it's been used by politicians as well. It's okay to use this gesture, just be careful to always have your palm face outwards and don't go up and down. In Britain and Commonwealth countries, that means 'Fu** You!'  Richard Nixon was unaware of this and unknowingly told a crowd of Australians off!

A-OKAY. When you connect your thumb and index finger, it looks like the letters 'O' and 'K.' Which everyone knows is short for Okay. This gesture makes sense in nations that use the Latin alphabet. However, this common hand symbol has naturally evolved into other connotations in places without these two letters. In Japan, it means a coin, or money. In Greece and Turkey, it represents the 'Evil Eye' and is a curse. Definitely avoid using it in Brazil, where it means butthole. NOTE: White Power is trying to hijack this gesture.

CURLING FINGER. Mae West was the first sex star of the Silver Screen. When she wanted you to "come up a see her," Mae would curl her index finger. This popularized the gesture as a common way to ask someone to come closer. Again...just because Americans use it...does not mean the rest of the planet does. In the Philippines, it's used only for dogs. Likewise in Singapore and Malaysia, a curling finger is a de-humanizing gesture.

GOOD LUCK. When Americans want something good to happen, they cross their index and middle fingers. It dates back to Medieval times, and somehow helps humans ward off pagan spirits. Yet the simple gesture can also somehow refer to a woman's legs, as is the case in Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, crossed fingers means 'You're a slut!'

Enjoy your travels, readers. Just remember to use words and always be polite!