15 Common American Gestures You Should Never Use In Other Countries

Blue Velvet
Updated October 1, 2021 1.8k votes 206 voters
List Rules
Non-Americans: vote up the gestures that Americans shouldn't use in your country.

If you are an American, do you think you do any rude American gestures? There are plenty of things you should avoid doing if you travel, and if you don't want to offend, you should probably read this list of what not to do abroad.

  • 1
    200 VOTES

    Spitting

    From Redditor u/myownplace:

    Spitting on the ground.

  • 2
    181 VOTES

    Money Talk

    From Redditor u/GermanyBoy2020:

    In Germany, it's rude to talk about earnings. As far as I know, money is one of the most topics in the US.

  • 3
    205 VOTES

    Being Loud

    From Redditor u/Fine_End8648:

    Being loud and self-centered. I think that Americans think that the world spins around them.

  • 4
    166 VOTES

    Keeping your Shoes On

    From Redditor u/Kernel_Pie:

    Not removing shoes when visiting certain temples or mosques.

  • 5
    134 VOTES

    Joker-Like Smiling

    From Redditor u/applesandoranges990:

    Not smiling, the Joker-like grinning with almost closed eyes and fakest sweet voice tone.

    Also screaming in English, especially in rural areas, where it is clear that not many people know English, not knowing in which country you really are, calling everything Europe and European, calling all eastern countries Russia...

  • 6
    156 VOTES

    Left Hand Shaking

    From Redditor u/TheMaster225:

    Shaking with your left hand because that's the hand some cultures use to wipe their *ss.