What does the middle finger mean in Vietnam?

While the middle finger is not traditionally an offensive digit in Vietnam, the typical “fingers crossed” gesture that many people from the West make to indicate that they are hoping for the best is highly impolite. If you hope for good luck, keep your fingers out of it!

What does the middle finger mean in Vietnamese?

Middle finger: This gesture is impolite and will make others very angry. Pointing finger to the forehead: When you point your finger to the forehead, you are trying to say that someone is crazy.

What is a rude hand gesture in Vietnam?

Negative hand gestures to avoid. Crossed fingers. In Vietnam, crossing your fingers is not good luck. It's seen as rude and disrespectful is actually comparable to the middle finger in western cultures and refers to a female body part.

What does giving the middle finger actually mean?

The gesture is usually used to express contempt but can also be used humorously or playfully. Person "giving the middle finger" The gesture dates back to ancient Greece and it was also used in ancient Rome. Historically, it represented a phallus.

What does it mean to cross your fingers in Vietnam?

The following may be considered offensive:

Crossing two fingers (considered “good luck” in the U.S.) is a vulgar way of indicating intercourse in Vietnam.

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Where is the middle finger not offensive?

In some parts of the world, "the finger" does not have any meaning at all. In India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, the social circles exposed to the western cultures use the middle finger gesture in the same sense that it is used in those cultures. The same is true for most South Asian countries.

Is middle finger haram?

Intention matters. If one is displaying the middle finger with intention to express vulgarity, threaten along with cuss words, then its obviously haraam.

What are two taboos in Vietnam?

If you are invited to a Vietnamese home, remember the following Vietnamese taboos to ensure a smooth and respectful visit: Take off your shoes before entering: To show respect. Avoid family altars: Do not step over or walk in front of ancestral altars to avoid disrespect.

Is it rude to cross your legs in Vietnam?

So showing your feet can be interpreted as disrespect or insult. You should therefore avoid crossing your legs, placing your feet on a table or chair, or directing the soles of your feet towards a person, a religious image or an altar. This is considered extremely disrespectful.

What not to say in Vietnam?

As a general rule, keep your cool and avoid loud arguments, making a scene, berating others for mistakes, or pointing out anything that may cause the locals to feel shamed.

What is considered rude in Vietnam?

In Vietnamese culture, displaying anger, raising one's voice, or screaming is considered extremely impolite. You have, in their opinion, displayed weakness by becoming angry and it is considered very poor manners. Anger directed at someone is taken as direct criticism and most often causes people to “lose face”.

How do Vietnamese show affection?

Vietnamese like to show intimacy by physical contacts like tapping on the shoulder, sitting close (too close to westerners) to each other, whispering into others' years, or people of the same gender walking hand in hand or hands over shoulders with each other.

Which country banned the middle finger?

Germany. Germany takes things a little far when it comes to the middle finger. It's regarded as an insult punishable by the law. Under German's insult law, using curse words and insulting gestures like the middle finger and sticking out the tongue is illegal.

Which finger is not allowed to wear a ring in Islam?

The Muslim religion allows a man to wear his ring on his little finger. The law also insists that wearing it on the index and middle fingers is detestable.

Is thumbs up offensive in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, including Hanoi, the thumbs-up gesture can have different meanings than what many might assume. While it's often seen as a sign of approval in many cultures, in Vietnam, it can sometimes suggest impatience or even come across as rude, depending on the context.

Why is the middle finger vulgar?

The middle finger originated as a phallic gesture

A few sources from ancient Greece reference middle fingers being used to prod or poke people's persons, from nostrils to, well, nethers. The Greek playwright Aristophanes was also purportedly a fan of the gesture, referring to “the long finger” in several of his plays.

What does slapping your bicep mean?

Clenching your fist and jerking your forearm up as you slap your bicep is considered a rude, masculine gesture. In southern Europe it's a lot like giving someone the middle finger.

What language do Vietnamese people speak?

Vietnamese is the sole official and national language of Vietnam. It is the first language of the majority of the Vietnamese population, as well as a first or second language for the country's ethnic minority groups.

Why do Vietnamese keep their nails long?

In several Asian cultures, it is believed to attract good fortune. People in these regions often grow their pinky nails to extend beyond the joint nearest the fingertip, thinking it will bring them luck and positive energy.

What actress taught Vietnamese nails?

Tippi Hedren, star of Alfred Hitchcock's “The Birds”, hired her nail tech Dusty Coots to teach 20 Vietnamese women how to do nails in 1975. Today, over half of US nail salons are owned by Vietnamese Americans.