Where Im from, standing in front of a camera and doing Top 10 videos is seen as incredibly
rude - my family doesnt even talk to me any more … Im just kidding of course - but there
are common things that you probably do in your day to day life that someone else in
the world would consider the height of rudeness.
If you ever hope to travel the world some day - youre gonna wanna pay close attention
to this list if you wanna stay out of trouble.
My name is Danny Burke and this is the Top 10 Rudest Gestures Around The World.
Also, quick notice to say thanks to the huge interest in our merch we now have brand new
merch - weve got new designs on our tshirts and hoodies and so much more so go and see
which one is your favourite before they all sell out!
Coming up in at number 10 we have Thumbs Up.
To a lot of you guys watching, this probably means - good.
Things are great - theyre up, like my thumb.
However, if youre watching this from parts of the middle east, latin america, perhaps
western Africa, Russia or Greece - then Im sorry.
You guys will know that its basically the equivalent to putting your middle finger up.
Im pretty sure Ive done thumbs up in a lot of videos before … maybe we should start
blurring it out …
Next up a number 9 we have Tipping.
What could be nicer than leaving some extra money for a service as a way of saying thank
you?
Well if you think that, youre probably not from Japan or South Korea.
In these countries, leaving extra money for a job well done is seen as an insult.
Some workers feel they are already being paid to do their job, they take pride in doing
it - and recieving extra money seems like an incentive for people who arent willingly
doing a good job - which they feel like they are.
Thats a really interesting one and I totally understand where that thought process comes
from - but I mean, a tips a tip.
Ya know.
Tips a tip.
Thats my well thought out counter argument.
At number 8 we have Finishing Your Meal.
If I cooked you a meal now and you left some on the plate - I might think you didnt like
it that much or at least some part of it.
Well in places such as China, the Philippines, Thailand and parts of Russia, finishing your
meal may be seen as rude.
It may be seen as saying this want enough food for me.
If you leave a little bit on your plate, youre saying yes I enjoyed it and it was enough
food for me because I couldnt quite finish it.
Next up number 7 we have Hands in Pockets.
Growing up in England, I would sometimes have teachers tell me to get my hands out of my
pockets but other than that - I never experienced it being seen as something you shouldnt do.
There are some countries though, such as Turkey, Poland an Belgium, where its seen as very
rude if you talk to someone with one or two hands in your pockets.
Id be interested to know more about this - is it because youre not being very open?
Im not sure …
At number 6 now we have Condiments.
Im sure a lot of you watching would see nothing wrong with going to a restaurant and asking
for sauces for your meal.
Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, that kinda thing.
Well in some places such as France, Italy, Spain or Japan - asking for condiments to
alter the taste of your food might be seen as a way of saying the food doesnt taste very
nice.
A chef may work hard on a meal to get the taste just how they want it and don't really
like to see you drown the whole thing in ketchup.
I understand this one, I get it - what do you guys think though?
I know some of you are probably thinking hey, its my meal, I paid for it, Ill do what I
want with it?
I can see that one too …
Next up at number 5 we have Wrapping Paper.
Imagine its Birthday and someone hands you a gift - you think you know what it is - they
got all your hints - youre very excited - what do you do?
You might rip the wrapping paper off right there, right?
Well there are some countries where that might not be politie.
In some parts of China, Morocco or Romania - it may be seen as rude to open your present
in front of the person that gave it to you.
It could be seen as greedy or materialistic - as if what the present is is more important
than the gesture of someone giving it to you.
Have you guys ever experienced this somewhere before?
Its a really interesting one …
Next up at number 4 we have Even Number Of Flowers.
This is a very niche one coming from Russia.
In Russia, its seen as rude if you give someone an even number of flowers in Russia.
2,4,6 rose - don't do it.
An odd number is fine.
This comes from the fact that an even number of flowers is only ever given at funerals.
Its associated with death or even inviting death upon the person if you arent at a funeral.
So if youre not from Russia and you ever visit there, count those flowers.
Count them twice.
Next up at number 3 we have the OK Symbol.
This.
This means OK in places like the UK, Ireland, Canada and the US.
Not everywhere though.
In some parts of France, Greece and other European countries, the hand gesture is seen
as you saying something is worthless or insignificant.
So don't do that if someone asks you how their food tastes.
Its even worse in some South American countries such as Brazil and Venezuela, its seen as
vulgar slang - its essentially the equivalent of putting your middle finger up.
Im starting to think that every hand gesture is offensive to someone somewhere …
At number 2 now we have Fingers Crossed.
A lot of you guys watching from Western Countries will recognise that this means wishing, hoping
or good luck - fingers crossed.
It does not mean that in Vietnam.
There, its seen as a quick, crude and impolite shorthand for a womans vagina.
So yeah - if youre not from Vietnam and you ever visit there - be very careful with when
it comes to wishing someone good luck.
You may get some very strange looks.
And finally at number 1 we have Compliments.
If I went to your house and said, hey, nice poster - you might say thank you and feel
slightly proud of your choice in posters.
In some countries though, complimenting an item a person owns can be a little more tricky.
In parts of the middle east as well the African nations of Nigeria and Senegal - complimenting
an item may be seen as you wanting that item.
This is because of a culture of hospitality in these countries.
A host may want to please a guest so much that they feel obliged to give the item they
complemented to them.
Because of this, guests are aware that some things shouldnt be complimented - even if
they are really nice.
Well guys, that is that.
Im sure that theres gonna be many comments on this video saying that I got this wrong
or that wrong - Im sorry if thats the case, I tried by best with the research for this
one.
Even within countries there may be cultural differences, there are just so many traditions
out there.
Thats awesome though, I love learning about different cultures around the world - I hope
you did too with this video - my name is Danny Burke, thanks as always for watching and Ill
see you all in the next video!