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6 Highly offensive gestures tourists ‘accidentally’ make abroad

Cape Town - Diversity. This is what makes the world the beautiful, interesting place it is. 

If all cultures, cultural practices, systems and beliefs were the same, there'd be no reason for anyone to explore new things outside of their comfort zones. 

That's why all travellers should be respectful towards the various practices different groups of people abide by. 

Consider these six general gestures that might be considered highly offensive in certain countries...

Giving a thumbs up

Feel like signalling everything is ‘a-okay’? Don’t. In Iran a thumbs-up is called bilakh and this is an insult. Literally, it means “Sit on this”. West Africa, South America, Sardinia, Israel, Thailand, Afghanistan, Italy, and Greece are also places considering the thumbs up to be disrespectful. 

A photo posted by @gktz on




Giving Flowers

Everyone in the world loves flowers, right? Wrong. In Germany, Poland, Russia and Sweden carnations are used only for funerals and if you give them to someone it indirectly represents death!


Showing a 'Peace' sign 

You'd think this might be a universal sign of love. However, in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand it means something else. When you make a peace sign with the palm facing inward, it can mean “up yours”. 

A photo posted by K r i s t y (@kmledford) on




Use your left hand to greet someone

In certain Middle Eastern countries like India and parts of northern Africa, the left hand is considered dirty. This stems from the historic belief that you use this hand for certain sanitary activities. Thus, using your left hand to initiate a handshake, touch food, touch someone else, or present a gift is considered pretty disgusting, even today. 


Sitting in the back of a taxi

If you’re the sole passenger, some cabbies consider it extremely snobby for you to hop into the back seat as if to suggest they’re your personal chauffeur. Rather ask the driver whether it will be okay for you to sit in the back, before hopping in assuming all is fine. 




Touching someone else’s head

A pat on the head may seem like a friendly gesture, but in countries such as Thailand, Laos, and Sri Lanka, it is particularly offensive, since Buddhists, prevalent in these parts of the globe, regard the head as the most sacred part of the body.



Share your interesting cultural experience with us. Email info@traveller24.com, or join us on our FacebookTwitter or Instagram accounts.

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