no

Oh, god, not even slightly.

no no no... have you seen russel peters? gah now i have to go find the video for it...

no but theyll probably kno what your talkin about in europe and some places in asia and africa, defenitly australia since theyr so popular and americans travel alot there but there are other hand signs that other cultures use that you would see and be like 'what the hell was that?'

to most people yes but not all you do a peace sign or make a fist in certain 3rd world countries and you would be executed

No but stay tuned for a question about how we got the middle finger idea! Example for you. the hang loose sign is considered an insult for many countries. Although, they hang them whether offended or not....

1) "Gestures do not have invariable or universal meanings. Even simple gestures like pointing at someone can give offense if it is not done correctly. In the USA and western European countries it is very common for people to point with an extended finger but in Asia this is considered very rude (see Etiquette in Asia for details) and it is safer to use the whole hand. Different types of gestures are distinguished. Well-known type of gestures are the so-called emblems or quotable gestures (see the examples below). These are culture-specific gestures that can be used as replacement for words. Communities have repertoires of such gestures. A single emblematic gesture can a have very different significance in different cultural contexts, ranging from complimentary to highly offensive." Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesture 2) "Gestures are a form of body language or non-verbal communication. Although some gestures, such as the ubiquitous act of pointing, differ little from one place to another, most gestures do not have invariable or universal meanings, having specific connotations only in certain cultures. Different types of gestures are distinguished. The most famous type of gestures are the so-called emblems or quotable gestures (see the examples below). These are culture specific gestures that can be used as replacement for words. Communities have repertoires of such gestures. A single emblematic gesture can have very different significance in different cultural contexts, ranging from complimentary to highly offensive." Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_gesture Specfic gestures examples: - "V sign" [Peace sign] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_gesture#V_sign http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_sign - Thumbs up, thumbs down: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_gesture#Thumbs_up.2C_thumbs_down - Middle finger [The finger] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_gesture#Middle_finger http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_finger 3) Further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_language http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_communication - Communicating with Gestures: http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/body_language.php - Gestures: http://www.edupass.org/culture/gestures.phtml - Chinese Emotion and Gesture: http://www.ling.gu.se/~biljana/gestures2.html - Hand gestures in different cultures: http://www.englishforums.com/English/HandGesturesDifferentCultures/pwxv/post.htm

5-20-2017 Not a bit. The thumb is considered a smutty gesture in most of Europe, although they have gotten used to American youths soliciting rides. If a European wants to give you a ride they will stop and say so. The middle finger in USA is two fingers in other countries and no equivalent in South America. The "ok" sign here means "worth zero" in most places. In the middle east you do not point with your finger, you point with the whole hand, and likewise to beckon someone. We crook a finger up, but middle easterners turn the hand down as if to pull on your chain. Also, there are places (more than one) where moving your head sideways means "yes", and up and down means "no".