Australian Gestures

[Ripper]

Is it true that Australians find the 'thumbs-up'-gesture rude?
It was in my sociology book but I see the natives here using them all the time. What's up with that?

[J@3]

Not that I know, alot of people here use it. I've never heard of it being a rude gesture or anything, so that must be a pretty messed up sociology book lol.

[Wormy10]

lol
maybe the

[Jowe]

I heard in some arab countries the thumbs up means "fuck you" or something.

[J@3]

Everything in Arab countries means "fuck you". That's why they're so angry all the time.

[Jowe]

Point taken. It would explain alot.

[Matthew]

Remind me to go into a mosque and give them two (Y)

[Andrew]

The "thumbs up" is certainly not offensive in Australia (unless intentionally used that way).

[Fresh8]

Wat kind of a book were u reading???

[J@3]

I think the only way it could be deemed offensive over here is if it's used in the Hopoate fashion.

[The X]

I think the only way it could be deemed offensive over here is if it's used in the Hopoate fashion.

haha, that's true....a would be very offensive in that way

[J@3]

[Fresh8]

man... that Hopoate... sick man.

[The X]

it kinda makes me glad I gave up playing league and starting playing bball when I was 13....before any of those league homos got any ideas with their 's

[Ripper]

that hopoate is pretty disturbing. thanks for sharing

But it does say so in my book, Sociology by R. Schaefer, "The meaning of hand signals is another form of nonverbal communication that can differ from one culture to the next. In Australia, the thumbs-up sign is considered rude (Passero 2002)."

There's also a segment about Saudi businessmen holding hands with eachother after making a deal, it is considered a big compliment.

[Guest]

There's also a segment about Saudi businessmen holding hands with eachother after making a deal, it is considered a big compliment.

I can see the relevance, signifing a bond. But Im English so im just gonna go ahead and say "Fuckin Fags"

Whats the worst thing you can do in Thailand? Acording to the HSBC(bank) adverts in the uk its to show the sole's of your feet. Somehow I think they have got that one a little wrong.

[Jackal]

I heard it in some movie but what does "put a shrimp on the barbie" mean?

[The X]

I heard it in some movie but what does "put a shrimp on the barbie" mean?

it means to throw another prawn on the barbeque....it's a big thing in Aussie to barbeque prawns, especially around Christmas, although I ain't a big fan....barbeques are part of culture over here, I'm luvin' my new one

[J@3]

Yeah, although we never call them "shrimp".

[Wormy10]

I love shrimp
Always get it when I go to the Crackerbarrel
yummy
I have always heard that saying and thought it pretty much meant what it said, just didnt know exactly until now

[Arcane]

we have to blame paul hogan for that shrimp thing damn that ad was annoying

[J@3]

Steve Irwin and Paul Hogan single handedly made the most important nation in the World believe Australians spent all their time hunting crocodiles and riding kangaroo's to school.

[idiot]

you mean..... you don't?

[J@3]

Only on Mondays and Tuesdays. Every other day is "Kangaroo Appreciation Day".

[alexboom]

the thumb up could be offending, it depends where you stick it.