Which common hand gestures are deeply offensive in other countries?

The answer

Hand gestures carry radically different meanings across cultures, creating potential for serious misunderstanding. The thumbs-up gesture, positive in the West, is equivalent to the middle finger in parts of the Middle East, West Africa, and South America. The OK sign (thumb and forefinger circle) means 'worthless' in France, 'money' in Japan, and is a vulgar insult in Brazil and Turkey. The V-sign (peace sign) with palm facing inward is deeply offensive in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand - dating to a gesture allegedly used by English archers at Agincourt in 1415. Beckoning someone with a curled index finger is considered rude in the Philippines and Japan (reserved for dogs). In Greece, showing an open palm (moutza) is one of the most offensive gestures possible, rooted in Byzantine-era punishment. Head nodding means 'no' in Bulgaria, Greece, and parts of India.