How Well Do You Know Hand Gestures From Around the World?

It's a common gesture in the Italian community. Bring your fingers together and flick your wrist to convey, "What is this?" or "What is going on here?"

The thumbs up is a rousing show of positivity in a lot of countries. In places like Latin America and the Middle East, however, it's the exact opposite.

In America, you can use the curling index finger to beckon to people, but in the Philippines, this gesture is insulting to humans. It's meant just for dogs.

The V-for-victory sign is an extremely common American gesture. You'll see it frequently at rock concerts and political rallies.

If someone owes you money in Ghana, this is the gesture you'd use. You point to your left palm and scratch with your finger.

You might sigh or groan loudly when you bring the back of your fist to your forehead in Brazil. It's a negative gesture that means someone or something is dumb.

Ghana's "come here" signal is opposite of the American version. In Ghana, you orient your palm downward as you make a flapping gesture.

"Shoo dog! We're tired of you pooping in our flower bed!" In America, the palm-down, flapping hand is a shooing gesture.

Wave your hand in front of your face and scowl at someone in Germany, and the intent is clear -- you're indicating that you think they're crazy.

The horned fingers make appearances at live music performance across the country. It basically means "rock on!"

In America, the horn fingers gesture is a good thing. In Spain and Colombia, it's a way to tell someone that their wife is sleeping around on them.

This is the Nepalese version of shaking your head "no" in the West. Hold your arm up at the elbow and rotate your forearm back and forth.

In America, raising your index and middle fingers in a "V" is a sign of victory and triumph. In the United Kingdom, though, it's a way to show scorn to the authorities.

As in the U.S., in Australia, crossing your fingers is a way to hope for good luck.

Don't believe what that Frenchman is saying? Touch the spot just below your eye with your index finger to communicate that you think he's lying.

No, you're not plotting to cut someone's throat if you make this thumb/throat gesture. It does, however, mean that you've had enough.

Bringing your fingers together on each hand and then moving your hands up and down in Mexico is a sign that someone is being cheap.

In Italy, where there is a lot of delicious food, you'll be pushing your index finger into your cheek a lot. It means you're enjoying your meal.

It's like a handshake but shows that you're, like, cool, man. The fist bump is a widely recognized way to greet someone in America.

Some people are just lazy, dead weight. That's what the "carrying" gesture means in Spain.

Flicking your chin with your fingers is a dismissive gesture in Belgium and France. It basically means someone should get lost.

In Mexico, just raise your arm with your palm toward your face. It's a simple and friendly gesture that says "thank you."

In America (and other Western countries) the OK sign is, well, A-OK. In Brazil, it's a very rude gesture that you'd only use in extreme anger.

In China, you can project sincerity by placing your hand over your heart. Don't eat chicken feet, they taste funky.

Russians drink occasionally. If a Russian flicks his or her throat with an index finger, perhaps it's time to open a bottle.

In Greece, sticking your hand straight out at someone means you're being confrontational. It may also insult the recipient.

Germans have multiple gestures for saying someone is crazy. Pointing at their foreheads with an index finger is one of them.

Many Japanese people are a bit hesitant to smile for pictures. But they'll often flash two "V" signs with their fingers to show that they're having a blast.

The thumb-in-fist gesture is a playful one. It means that you're pretending that you stole a kid's nose. Pro tip: This one gets old to kids after about age 5.

The awkward turtle is a newer gesture that's common among young Americans and it is used to deflect attention from an embarrassing situation. Put your palms down, fingers together, thumbs stuck out, and make a swimming motion with your thumbs … that's the awkward turtle.