The OK gesture, if done in Germany, is considered rude by some Germans

[steve2470]

The "OK" gesture (tip of thumb touching tip of index finger) is considered rude by some as it refers to a bodily orifice.

http://www.quora.com/Germany/What-are-some-cultural-faux-pas-a-visitor-to-Germany-might-make

I had no idea.

[JVS]

1. That's not exclusive to Germany

[Ron Obvious]

2. It's worse if you stick your finger in the OK sign and slide it in and out...

I'm suddenly reminded of a story I heard on NPR shortly after the invasion of Iraq. An American soldier was interviewed who said that the local Iraqies seemed to approve of their presence, as they were greeted by "thumbs up" signs wherever they went.

The story was immediately followed by another one explaining some cultural differences in which it was mentioned that a "thumbs up" in Arab culture was equivalent to a raised middle finger to an American.

The juxtaposition of those stories made me giggle at the time.

[steve2470]

3. great example of cultural differences ! nt

[DFW]

4. Neither did I

And I am married to a German and have lived in Germany for years.

[steve2470]

5. ah so the article is in error

Always valuable to talk to the "natives". Hope you are doing splendid, my friend !

[DFW]

9. I don't know for sure that the article is wrong

There are still a lot a regional differences in Germany, even 140 years after Bismarck. Maybe in some other part, the gesture means something else. But in our area, the northwest, no one has ever reacted negatively to the gesture.

I'm back, but the weather sucks. It's in the 50s (F° of course) and raining. I should have stayed a little longer in Virginia!

[Archae]

6. Our symbol for "Stop" in Greece is "Shit in your face."

Holding the hand out with fingers up.

[OriginalGeek]

7. lolwat!?

What's going on over there that they NEED a symbol for "shit in your face"?

[Leith]

8. In Japan

It means birth control. Concoms, in particular.

Our childish game of "got your nose," with the thumb sticking out between the index and middle fingers is considered obscene in Japan. It is said to resemble female genitalia. Yikes!

[nuxvomica]

10. That was the meaning when I was kid

Among kids, it was a way of calling someone an "asshole". I'm not sure whether it had the same meaning for adults as there was no internet in the 1960s; kids and adults had separate cultures.