Question
Here is the question : WHAT GESTURE IS CONSIDERED OFFENSIVE IN SOME MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Waving
- Thumbs up
- Thumbs down
- Shrug
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
To most Americans, a thumbs up is a harmless, positive, and kind gesture. In contrast to Western society, giving someone the thumbs up in Iran, Iraq, or Afghanistan is taken to mean the same thing as giving someone the middle finger. Even if the gesture is rude, it is not considered dangerous if ignorant tourists make it by accident.
In many Western cultures, the gesture of a thumbs up is considered a sign of approval or agreement. However, in some Middle Eastern countries, this same gesture can be considered highly offensive and disrespectful.
The reason for this is rooted in historical context. In ancient Rome, the thumbs up gesture was used by gladiators to signal to the emperor that they wanted their opponent to be spared. However, in contrast, the thumbs down gesture signaled that they wanted their opponent to be killed. As such, the thumbs up and thumbs down gestures took on a highly symbolic and powerful meaning.
In some Middle Eastern countries, the thumbs up gesture is associated with this historical context and is seen as a sign of aggression or disrespect. This is because the gesture is believed to have evolved from the thumbs down gesture, which was used to signal a desire for violence or death.
the thumbs up gesture can also be seen as offensive because of its similarity to another hand gesture that is considered highly offensive in some Middle Eastern countries. This gesture involves holding up the hand with the palm facing outward and the fingers slightly curled, resembling a beak. This gesture is known as the “fig” gesture and is considered a sign of disrespect and contempt.
Because of the similarity between the thumbs up and fig gestures, the thumbs up gesture can be misinterpreted as a sign of disrespect or even aggression. This is especially true in countries like Iran and Iraq, where the fig gesture is commonly used and well-known.
It is important to note that while the thumbs up gesture may be considered offensive in some Middle Eastern countries, this is not true for all countries and cultures in the region. In some countries, such as Turkey and Israel, the thumbs up gesture is perfectly acceptable and even common.
the thumbs up gesture can be considered offensive and disrespectful in some Middle Eastern countries due to its historical context and similarity to the fig gesture. It is important to be aware of cultural customs and gestures when traveling to or interacting with people from different cultures to avoid causing offense or disrespect.