A question for Australians: Is the 'thumbs up' gesture rude in your country?

Question

I'm a Canadian teaching a class of Japanese students and our subject is body language around the world. I read on a couple of Internet websites that the above gesture is an insult. Can you tell me if this is true? I don't want to mislead my students!

Thanks!

I guess I got that wrong. At least two websites make that claim! Well, thanks for clearing that up!

Jorluke, are you Australian? Anyway, feel better now? We choose to disagree, so leave it at that. I have a feeling you can't take a little difference of opinion. And get this straight: My Lennon question was legit, as you will discover if you go and see the documentary about him that's out at the moment. Also, when I asked the question, my intention was to get some good answers. You started right away with the insults, but you can't take it back, can you?

Relax, dude.

Answer 1

ok in aus.it means, oky doky ,you beaudy ,rippa mate,good on ya blue,she's sweet, righto,your on,thanks,ta,thats the stuff,thanks for the beer,you'll be right etc etc etc.

Answer 2

starting to be up in Australia, the thumbs up gesture became considered rude, and human beings would placed their thumb up at someone as an insulting gesture. i will undergo in recommendations as a baby, guffawing at an American action picture the position fighter pilots made a 'thumbs up' gesture at one yet another. We youthful ones theory they were very naughty!! it really is not used in that way a lot anymore, yet between an older age crew it continues to be no longer considered a polite component to do. Cheers :-)

Answer 3

Well, I'm a Canadian who has lived in Oz for the last 30 years. When I came here the thumbs up was generally regarded as meaning, 'Good on ya mate.' or 'She'll be right mate.'

I think it may have originated from air ground crew and pilots who would use the thumbs up to signal that everything was OK.

However I have noticed that it is little used anymore. This may be because of the influx of other cultures such as Muslims who might not understand the signal and take offence from it.

Answer 4

The "thumbs up" gesture is not rude, it is a good gesture in the US. It expresses a variety of positive meanings, from "yes" to "nice job". The gesture means "one" in Germany and "five" in Japan. It's an obscene gesture in Australia and some other countries.

Answer 5

Yes it is the thumbs up gesture is a major insult. They get offended cause all they do is walk around with their thumb up their a s ses. But all the men seem to like it since they are all queer.

Answer 6

no it is not a rude gesture. who told you that. It is another way of saying OK, good job.......it's like "thumbs up man"!!!!

Answer 7

im not australian so i dont know that one..im from uk originally..and the thumbs up means ok......but if you stick your two fingers up (the ones nexy to yuor thumb) it means f*** off

Answer 8

I dont even know the answer to your question, but heres a thumbs down just for you, and thanks for the 2pts chump.

Thats cute repost to your question about John Lennon, ya, you are a snide little sob.
I had an open question inviting people to vent whatever rage they have about the president of the united states that they know for fact. instead we are surrounded by bias and conspiracy theories.
if people want to beat this president at his own game catch him in something irrefutably real!!
there are plenty of good reasons to dislike the man, but how about something substancial that should reject him from office?
You are just one of those pathetic pacifists that wants to stand bye slinging mud on the commander in chief and the US government because its en vogue or what?
Your answer to that question was absolutely aimed at me for even asking the question to begin with. By doing so you have done something to draw the fire of my ire. you refered to me as a child that should go back to bed with its parents. you are a lowly individual for posting such senseless comments. I am a Warrior who has withdrawn himself from current policy bound conflicts in certain pitched areas of the world. You think Iraq is a mess? Just wait! You think gas is expensive now? You havent seen **** yet. It is scary whats going to happen with those freaks in Iran. This is an extreme situation and it calls for extreme measure. Otherwise go sit ur *** in Canada and smoke some peace and think ur smart huh? Stick your head back in the sand and remember you are a coward first and maybe whatever rights of manhood are afforded the coward thereafter. Every man knows inside, the least you could do in your position of id is to refrain from crying out for help from your center of cowardice and confusion and not broadcast it.
People like you need affirmation that you are human. This is an issue of your conscience that you would lash out so, and I recognize it and lash right back at you.

Additionally, when i responded you your question about John Lennon I pointed out what a snide little *** you are BUT then I ALSO went ahead and answered the question comprehensively.
You sure seem to have a lot of interest in the US for a Canadian.
Perhaps this is a talent you lack or subject to convenience?
You actually reposted on the same question to attempt to wash your hands of any involvement towards myself being nonoffensive? When in fact you are that same crude lilttle ******* who not only lacks the decency to not answer a question they have no answers to but also moronic enough to want to play dumb and lack the balls to own up to your own words.
by reposting on your topic about J.Lennon with a little sissy backlash comment you proved this to me however unfortunately.
my question was removed by yahoo Q&A for being reported by sissys such as yourself as a result. because I was calling for a hot topic? because I was demanding some facts by you neo-lib ultra sellout *******? report me again cockasaur. between you and I we know what lowly standards of opinion and action you portray.

Answer 9

No, it means OK Mate.

Answer 10

Well it's sort of rude , they'r showing you the size of their ****.