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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Katrin Schmiedekampf

A quick guide to hand gestures of the world

gestures: Thumb up
All right or cool in Great Britain, South Korea, South Africa
One France, Poland, Switzerland
Vulgar insult Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq
Photograph: Florian Bong-Kil Grosse
gestures: Flower bud
What’s this? or What do you want? in Italy
Small or little in Congo
Beautiful or good in Turkey
Just a moment in Egypt
Photograph: Florian Bong-Kil Grosse
gestures: Index finger and thumb up
Two in Belgium, Liechtenstein, The Netherlands
Eight in China
Not good in Italy
Photograph: Florian Bong-Kil Grosse
gestures: Circle
Perfect in Canada, Mexico, Switzerland
Vulgar insult in Brazil
Photograph: Florian Bong-Kil Grosse
gestures: Hand wave
Go away! in Czech Republic, ­Denmark, The Netherlands
Come here! in Ghana, Philippines, Vietnam
Photograph: Florian Bong-Kil Grosse
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