Making Disgusting Gestures to Half the World
by The thumbs up sign is quite acceptable in UK and US but be careful where you use it if you travel the world.
In USA and UK we take the “thumbs up” sign to be an indication of approval. It is used in many different scenarios including the “thumbs up” made famous by the Stumbleupon social network site.
The thumbs up sign was originally used by the ancient Romans to decide the fate of Christians in the arena. The thumbs up (pollice verso) sign meant “kill him” and the thumbs down, or hidden (pollice compresso) sign meant “spare him”. In the film “Spartacus” the directors actually got this the wrong way round.
In most of the world it’s quite acceptable to offer the thumbs up to people but if you are traveling in Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria, or parts of Italy and Greece, take care. In these countries it is considered extremely rude and insulting. In Sardinia it is seen as particularly offensive and a hitch hiker thumbing a lift is more likely to be run down, than offered a ride.
Roughly speaking, in these countries, this hand signal is the equivalent to the “middle finger” salute which is common in USA and UK.
The term “thumbs up” is now used in English speech. For example, “The director gave me the thumbs up.” In formal circumstances that phrase is acceptable where actually giving the thumbs up sign might not be.
So, it pays to research the customs of any country you might be visiting before you use the “thumbs up” or any other type of hand signal. It just keep you out of trouble, or at least improve your chances of thumbing a lift in Sardinia.
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Post CommentIcyCucky
On April 7, 2008 at 10:52 am
That is really interesting..I thought thumb-up is a universal language..
Dee Huff
On April 7, 2008 at 11:17 am
That’s an eye-opener. So in fact there was actually no thumbs-down tradition in Ancient Rome, just the thumbs-up for finishing off a gladiator. I’ll be wary about using that sign from now on.
Alexa Gates
On April 7, 2008 at 6:03 pm
This is really good to know! Great info!
Darlene McFarlane
On April 7, 2008 at 10:22 pm
When I was a kid growing up in Toronto the thumbs up sign meant the same as showing your middle finger today.
Good article!
Anne Lyken-Garner
On April 8, 2008 at 8:29 am
Yes this is so true. Not all signs and gestures are universal. There are others as well like putting one’s tongue out and waving in a certain way.
Lucy Lockett
On April 10, 2008 at 8:06 pm
These differences can get you into trouble! Great work.
Judy Sheldon
On April 12, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Good research. It reminds me of how a young deaf man was signing and a gang of youth mistook his gestures and killed him. It can be a scary misunderstood world out there.
But as far as hitch hiking, I’d be frightened to do that any where.