I've read that the thumbs-up sign, thumb pointing upwards from a closed fist, which over here in the UK means, 'all right mate' or 'good on yer' is rude in Australia, with a meaning of 'screw you'. Is that true? And if so, what sign d'you use to hitchhike down under?
2007-10-11 23:07:16 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Australia ➔ Other - Australia
Thumbs-up means the same in Australia as it does in the UK, it is not offensive. The offensive two-fingered salute, popular in the UK, has been a part of Australia too but it has been superceded by the American middle-finger salute and is not seen so often. Thumbs-up is considered offensive in parts of Europe (Greece I think but I will take correction) but not in Australia.
2007-10-11 23:16:40 · answer #1 · answered by tentofield 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Thumbs Up In Australia
2016-12-28 14:04:23 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
Is the thumbs-up sign rude in Australia?
I've read that the thumbs-up sign, thumb pointing upwards from a closed fist, which over here in the UK means, 'all right mate' or 'good on yer' is rude in Australia, with a meaning of 'screw you'. Is that true? And if so, what sign d'you use to hitchhike down under?
2015-08-10 04:34:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no its the same as UK. and you use it to hitch hike but sort of beckon with it. You move your arm, with out bending the elbow, while the thumb is up. You point sort of towards the oncoming car and move your arm a little down the direction of the road and repeat it. you would do it say about twice by the time the car is going pass you.
For successful hitch hiking in OZ you need to choose where you stand wisely.
There needs to be room for the car to pull over and preferably not where he is picking up speed as he is in the mood to get going then.
Dont carry to much gear
And dont start walking, stay at the edge of town.
A cardboard sign helps a lot.
"Screw you" is the backwards V sign
The middle finger up is "up yours" You think twice about using those two signs because you asking for it.
2007-10-12 01:56:13 · answer #4 · answered by chezzrob 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Thumbs up decades ago use to mean a rude gesture but recent decades it means " ok mate" or " well done ". Our main rude gesture esp whilst driving a car is middle index finger up with closed fist thrown out the side car window followed by a barage of foul language.. i do this all the time..lol
2007-10-12 01:01:09 · answer #5 · answered by kaz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
thumbs up mean all right or good on yer in Australia the middle finger is the rude finger hitchikin is let thumbs up but to the side or downwards
i heard the rude thumbs up was japan
2007-10-12 21:15:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Um, most of these answers are partially right. The thumbs up is very rude if it s moving up and down. Enough said.
2015-11-23 04:11:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, that is not true. The thumbs up means the same as in the U.K.. - 'all right mate' or 'good on yer' . As for hitchhiking in Australia, you would have to be mad to, see movie "wolf creek" for further details.
2007-10-12 16:17:45 · answer #8 · answered by cooky 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No,it's not rude.If you are the victim of someone's road rage,you will find out soon enough what the rude gesture is.
It's dangerous to hitchhike.Don't do it.
2007-10-12 03:14:19 · answer #9 · answered by Serena 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is completely false it means to the same as the UK. When hitchhiking (which i would never recommend) you put your thumb facing the middle (not up nor down)
2007-10-12 03:25:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋