Thumbs up! usually means good work, right on, you got it right, and is generally a sign of approval. But not in Greece, Latin America, Middle East, Russia, Sardinia and Western Africa, where it’s a rude hand gesture.
UTexas @ Austin alumni better not use the “Hook ’em Horns” gesture in Greece, Latin America, Middle East, Russia, Sardinia and in some parts of Western Africa where it sends a definitively offensive signal.
These and many other hand signals can be a minefield for photographers who travel the world or even use models who have immigrated from other countries. And, if you travel to other countries and see hand gestures that appear offensive to you, before you react in anger, bear in mind that maybe they’re not in that particular country.
Playful horsing around -- or subliminally rude hand gestures?
See what commonly used hand gestures in North America mean in other countries (and what these two above may be really saying to one another): theAtlantic.