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Frequent travelers must be great at charades. When you need to communicate and you don’t have the luxury of a shared language， body language is invaluable.
A skilled traveler can negotiate a taxi， buy food in a market， and get directions from a stranger through hand motions alone.
Things can get lost in translation， though， when a typical gesture from your country means something completely different in other parts of the world.
Below are ten common North American gestures that often cause offense abroad.
1. V in Australia and England
In 1992， George Bush visited Australia and， from the window of his limousine， held up his index and middle fingers in the “V” shape， à la Winston Churchill. With the palm facing outward， this V means victory in England， or peace in North America. Too bad Bush gestured with his palm facing inward， the nonverbal equivalent of “up yours”.
2. Displaying your palms in Greece
We use this gesture in North America to say “stop”， or， if you’re a child of the Jerry Springer era， “talk to the hand”. In Greece， keep your palms to yourself. Holding your palms out towards a person is a highly insulting gesture. This gesture is said to be a remnant of Byzantine times， when people could taunt shackled criminals by smearing their faces with excrement.
3. Thumbs-up in Thailand
This gesture of agreement or approval is an easy reflex when language barriers are at play. Try to avoid it in Thailand， though， where it’s a sign of condemnation. It’s typically a child’s gesture， the Thai equivalent of sticking out your tongue. People will likely be more bemused than hurt if you slip up. Still， it’s a good one to avoid.
4.Beckoning in the Philippines
Curling your index finger to say “come here” is a no-no in many Asian countries. In the Philippines， this gesture is only used for dogs. To use it with a person is derogatory； suggesting that you see them as a subservient inferior. It’s hardly a good way to make a first impression when signaling a waiter or a shop clerk.
5. Patting on the head in Sri Lanka
An open-palmed pat on the head of a child is a gesture of fondness in North America. If you need to get a child’s attention， it’s also the easiest place to tap them. In the Buddhist faith， though， the top of the head is the highest point of the body， and it’s where the spirit exists. To touch the top of a person’s head is highly invasive， for children and adults alike. Avoid this in any country with a predominant Buddhist population. 6. OK in France
Making a circle with your thumb and forefinger means “great” or “fine” in North America. It’s also used by scuba divers to communicate that there are no problems. In France， however， this gesture means “zero.” Unless you’re motioning to a French scuba diver， you might be accidentally communicating that something （or someone） is worthless. It’s a bad idea when trying to compliment a chef on your meal.
7. “Got your Nose！” in Turkey
A fist with the thumb tucked under the index finger doesn’t have a set North American meaning， except when playing “got your nose” with a child. It also means the letter “T” in American Sign Language. In Turkey， this gesture is aggressively rude； and it is equivalent to the middle-finger.
8. One-handed giving in Japan
In the West， people aren’t especially mindful of their hands when they offer objects to others. In Japan， though， it is polite and expected for people to make offerings with both hands. If you give someone a business card， or hand them your camera to take a photo， be sure to pass on the item with both hands. This shows that you are fully attentive and sincere in the offering. A one-handed presentation might be taken as dismissive.
9. Crossing your fingers in Vietnam
Many western cultures make this gesture when wishing for good luck. A hand with the index and middle fingers crossed is even the logo for the UK’s National Lottery. In Vietnam， however， this is an obscene gesture， especially when done while looking at or addressing another person. The crossed fingers are said to resemble female genitals.
10. Bull horns in Italy
North Americans raise their index and pinkie fingers like bull horns when they want to rock and roll all night... or cheer on a sports team with a name like “Cowboys” or “Longhorns”. In Italy， think twice before making this motion， especially when standing right behind a man. There， this “cuckold” gesture means that a man’s wife is being unfaithful， and he is a fool because of it. Incidentally， this gesture is quite common at Italian sports matches too， though it’s usually put to use after a referee’s bad call.
经常旅游的人必须学会看懂手势语。当你需要和别人交流却又不懂对方的语言时，肢体语言就显得非常重要了。
一位经验丰富的旅行者只凭打手势就能顺利搭乘出租、在市场采买食物以及向陌生人问路。
然而有时候在你们国家是某种含义的手势，在世界其他地方可能会表示完全不同的含义，所以在不同国家，同一个手势可能会让你感到迷惑。
下面是10种常见的北美手势，但在其他国家却容易让别人感到被冒犯。
1.澳大利亚和英国——“V”字手势
1992年，乔治·布什出访澳大利亚的时候，效仿温斯顿·丘吉尔，从豪华轿车的车窗里伸出食指和中指作出“V”字形的手势。手掌朝外摆出“V”字形在英国意味着胜利，在北美意味着和平。然而糟糕的是，布什的手掌朝内，这一手势意味着“见你的鬼去吧”。 2.希腊——手掌外翻
这个手势在北美的意思是“停止”，或者，如果你是杰里·斯普林格那个时代的孩子，你就知道这个手势意味着“懒得理你”。 在希腊，最好保持手掌对着自己，因为对着别人伸出手掌是一种非常侮辱人的手势。这个手势要追溯到拜占庭时期，当时人们可以通过在脸上抹屎嘲讽狱中的罪犯。
3.泰国——翘拇指
当有语言障碍时这个表示同意和认可的手势是个简单的反馈。但在泰国，尽量不要用这个手势，因为它表示谴责。这个手势是个典型的孩子专用手势，在泰语中等同于吐舌头。如果你弄错了这个手势，虽然人们不会感到受伤而只是迷惑不解，但最好还是要尽量避免。
4.菲律宾——勾手指
在许多亚洲国家，勾食指让别人“过来”是一种禁忌。在菲律宾，这个手势只用在狗身上。把它用在人身上是非常不敬的，表示你把他们看得低人一等。 招呼服务员或者店员时，这个手势绝不是留下第一印象的好办法。
5.斯里兰卡——摸摸头
在北美，手掌轻拍小孩的头部是一种表示喜欢的手势。如果你需要引起一个小孩子的注意，最简单的方法就是轻拍他们的头部。不过，在佛教信仰中，头顶是身体的最高点，也是灵魂的所在之处。 触摸一个人的头顶，无论他是小孩还是成人，都是非常不敬的。在以佛教为主的国家要尽量避免这个动作。
6.法国——“OK”
拇指和食指构成环形在北美意味着“很好的”或“好的”。带水肺的潜水员们也用这个手势进行交流，表示没有问题。不过，这个手势在法国表示“0”。除非你是在向一个法国带水肺的潜水员示意，否则你会不小心传达出某个东西或某个人是毫无价值的意思。用餐时，最好不要用这个手势去向厨师表示你对他的称赞。
7. 土耳其——“指向你的鼻子”
把拇指放在食指之下指向自己的鼻子这一动作在北美没有固定的意义，除非你在跟小孩玩“摸鼻子”游戏。这个手势在美国的手势语中也代表字母“T”。然而在土耳其做这个手势是非常粗鲁的，它相当于竖中指。
8.日本——单手递送东西
在西方，人们在递给别人东西的时候，通常不会特别注意自己的手。但是，在日本，双手递送东西是对别人的一种礼貌和尊重。如果你要给某人一张商务名片，或递给某人相机请他帮你拍照，要确保是双手递东西。这样才能显示你在递送过程中的诚意。单手递送会被理解为轻视。
9. 越南——交叉手指
很多西方国家用这个手势来祷告祈福，一只手的食指和中指交叉甚至是英国国家彩票的标志。不过在越南，尤其是在看着别人或者对别人说话时，做这个手势是很猥琐的。据说交叠的手指象征着女性的隐私部位。
10.意大利——牛角手势
当北美人想要彻夜摇滚或为带有“牛仔”或“德克萨斯州”字样的体育队伍欢呼喝彩的时候，他们通常会伸出食指和小手指，形状就像牛角一样。但是，在意大利要三思之后再做出这个动作，特别是当你站在一个男人身后的时候。这个手势说明那个男人的老婆不贞，而他就是一个戴着绿帽子的傻瓜。巧合的是，这个手势在意大利的体育比赛中也很常见，然而它通常却表示对裁判员误判的不满。
A skilled traveler can negotiate a taxi， buy food in a market， and get directions from a stranger through hand motions alone.
Things can get lost in translation， though， when a typical gesture from your country means something completely different in other parts of the world.
Below are ten common North American gestures that often cause offense abroad.
1. V in Australia and England
In 1992， George Bush visited Australia and， from the window of his limousine， held up his index and middle fingers in the “V” shape， à la Winston Churchill. With the palm facing outward， this V means victory in England， or peace in North America. Too bad Bush gestured with his palm facing inward， the nonverbal equivalent of “up yours”.
2. Displaying your palms in Greece
We use this gesture in North America to say “stop”， or， if you’re a child of the Jerry Springer era， “talk to the hand”. In Greece， keep your palms to yourself. Holding your palms out towards a person is a highly insulting gesture. This gesture is said to be a remnant of Byzantine times， when people could taunt shackled criminals by smearing their faces with excrement.
3. Thumbs-up in Thailand
This gesture of agreement or approval is an easy reflex when language barriers are at play. Try to avoid it in Thailand， though， where it’s a sign of condemnation. It’s typically a child’s gesture， the Thai equivalent of sticking out your tongue. People will likely be more bemused than hurt if you slip up. Still， it’s a good one to avoid.
4.Beckoning in the Philippines
Curling your index finger to say “come here” is a no-no in many Asian countries. In the Philippines， this gesture is only used for dogs. To use it with a person is derogatory； suggesting that you see them as a subservient inferior. It’s hardly a good way to make a first impression when signaling a waiter or a shop clerk.
5. Patting on the head in Sri Lanka
An open-palmed pat on the head of a child is a gesture of fondness in North America. If you need to get a child’s attention， it’s also the easiest place to tap them. In the Buddhist faith， though， the top of the head is the highest point of the body， and it’s where the spirit exists. To touch the top of a person’s head is highly invasive， for children and adults alike. Avoid this in any country with a predominant Buddhist population. 6. OK in France
Making a circle with your thumb and forefinger means “great” or “fine” in North America. It’s also used by scuba divers to communicate that there are no problems. In France， however， this gesture means “zero.” Unless you’re motioning to a French scuba diver， you might be accidentally communicating that something （or someone） is worthless. It’s a bad idea when trying to compliment a chef on your meal.
7. “Got your Nose！” in Turkey
A fist with the thumb tucked under the index finger doesn’t have a set North American meaning， except when playing “got your nose” with a child. It also means the letter “T” in American Sign Language. In Turkey， this gesture is aggressively rude； and it is equivalent to the middle-finger.
8. One-handed giving in Japan
In the West， people aren’t especially mindful of their hands when they offer objects to others. In Japan， though， it is polite and expected for people to make offerings with both hands. If you give someone a business card， or hand them your camera to take a photo， be sure to pass on the item with both hands. This shows that you are fully attentive and sincere in the offering. A one-handed presentation might be taken as dismissive.
9. Crossing your fingers in Vietnam
Many western cultures make this gesture when wishing for good luck. A hand with the index and middle fingers crossed is even the logo for the UK’s National Lottery. In Vietnam， however， this is an obscene gesture， especially when done while looking at or addressing another person. The crossed fingers are said to resemble female genitals.
10. Bull horns in Italy
North Americans raise their index and pinkie fingers like bull horns when they want to rock and roll all night... or cheer on a sports team with a name like “Cowboys” or “Longhorns”. In Italy， think twice before making this motion， especially when standing right behind a man. There， this “cuckold” gesture means that a man’s wife is being unfaithful， and he is a fool because of it. Incidentally， this gesture is quite common at Italian sports matches too， though it’s usually put to use after a referee’s bad call.
经常旅游的人必须学会看懂手势语。当你需要和别人交流却又不懂对方的语言时，肢体语言就显得非常重要了。
一位经验丰富的旅行者只凭打手势就能顺利搭乘出租、在市场采买食物以及向陌生人问路。
然而有时候在你们国家是某种含义的手势，在世界其他地方可能会表示完全不同的含义，所以在不同国家，同一个手势可能会让你感到迷惑。
下面是10种常见的北美手势，但在其他国家却容易让别人感到被冒犯。
1.澳大利亚和英国——“V”字手势
1992年，乔治·布什出访澳大利亚的时候，效仿温斯顿·丘吉尔，从豪华轿车的车窗里伸出食指和中指作出“V”字形的手势。手掌朝外摆出“V”字形在英国意味着胜利，在北美意味着和平。然而糟糕的是，布什的手掌朝内，这一手势意味着“见你的鬼去吧”。 2.希腊——手掌外翻
这个手势在北美的意思是“停止”，或者，如果你是杰里·斯普林格那个时代的孩子，你就知道这个手势意味着“懒得理你”。 在希腊，最好保持手掌对着自己，因为对着别人伸出手掌是一种非常侮辱人的手势。这个手势要追溯到拜占庭时期，当时人们可以通过在脸上抹屎嘲讽狱中的罪犯。
3.泰国——翘拇指
当有语言障碍时这个表示同意和认可的手势是个简单的反馈。但在泰国，尽量不要用这个手势，因为它表示谴责。这个手势是个典型的孩子专用手势，在泰语中等同于吐舌头。如果你弄错了这个手势，虽然人们不会感到受伤而只是迷惑不解，但最好还是要尽量避免。
4.菲律宾——勾手指
在许多亚洲国家，勾食指让别人“过来”是一种禁忌。在菲律宾，这个手势只用在狗身上。把它用在人身上是非常不敬的，表示你把他们看得低人一等。 招呼服务员或者店员时，这个手势绝不是留下第一印象的好办法。
5.斯里兰卡——摸摸头
在北美，手掌轻拍小孩的头部是一种表示喜欢的手势。如果你需要引起一个小孩子的注意，最简单的方法就是轻拍他们的头部。不过，在佛教信仰中，头顶是身体的最高点，也是灵魂的所在之处。 触摸一个人的头顶，无论他是小孩还是成人，都是非常不敬的。在以佛教为主的国家要尽量避免这个动作。
6.法国——“OK”
拇指和食指构成环形在北美意味着“很好的”或“好的”。带水肺的潜水员们也用这个手势进行交流，表示没有问题。不过，这个手势在法国表示“0”。除非你是在向一个法国带水肺的潜水员示意，否则你会不小心传达出某个东西或某个人是毫无价值的意思。用餐时，最好不要用这个手势去向厨师表示你对他的称赞。
7. 土耳其——“指向你的鼻子”
把拇指放在食指之下指向自己的鼻子这一动作在北美没有固定的意义，除非你在跟小孩玩“摸鼻子”游戏。这个手势在美国的手势语中也代表字母“T”。然而在土耳其做这个手势是非常粗鲁的，它相当于竖中指。
8.日本——单手递送东西
在西方，人们在递给别人东西的时候，通常不会特别注意自己的手。但是，在日本，双手递送东西是对别人的一种礼貌和尊重。如果你要给某人一张商务名片，或递给某人相机请他帮你拍照，要确保是双手递东西。这样才能显示你在递送过程中的诚意。单手递送会被理解为轻视。
9. 越南——交叉手指
很多西方国家用这个手势来祷告祈福，一只手的食指和中指交叉甚至是英国国家彩票的标志。不过在越南，尤其是在看着别人或者对别人说话时，做这个手势是很猥琐的。据说交叠的手指象征着女性的隐私部位。
10.意大利——牛角手势
当北美人想要彻夜摇滚或为带有“牛仔”或“德克萨斯州”字样的体育队伍欢呼喝彩的时候，他们通常会伸出食指和小手指，形状就像牛角一样。但是，在意大利要三思之后再做出这个动作，特别是当你站在一个男人身后的时候。这个手势说明那个男人的老婆不贞，而他就是一个戴着绿帽子的傻瓜。巧合的是，这个手势在意大利的体育比赛中也很常见，然而它通常却表示对裁判员误判的不满。