Be that as it may, hand gestures that convey crudity, most in the form of sexual insults, vary in meaning according to different cultures and while one hand gesture can carry a death-blow of vulgarism in one culture, it is pretty harmless in another.

Here is a run-down of the most common:

THUMBS-UP: The hand gesture of a clenched fist and the thumb facing upwards generally carries a positive meaning – great job, delicious meal, well done! However, if you’re anywhere in Latin America, West Africa, Greece, Russia, Sardinia or even the south of Italy, it conveys the same meaning as flashing the middle finger or in other words, “up yours”. Ouch!

PEACE SIGN: Careful how you flash this sign. You can breathe a sigh of relief if you’re holding up your index and middle finger with your palms facing out. This means peace, love and all that’s good in life. However, if you use this sign with your palms towards you and the backs of your hand facing out – you’re essentially telling someone to go screw themselves. If you’re in Italy, this sign is especially crude if you place your nose between the two fingers. A definite no-no.

A-OK: Now what could possibly go wrong with this sign, you ask? In the US, UK and many parts of Asia, this sign simply means all’s good, great or absolutely fine. Not so in Brazil, Germany and some Mediterranean countries where the circular shape created by the thumb and index finger resembles the anus. So you’re essentially telling someone they’re an asshole… or homosexual.

CORNA: Yes, that’s a common enough hand gesture in Malaysia – the index and last finger facing up with the thumb resting over the middle and ring fingers. It’s means “rock on” or that you love rock music or heavy metal bands but if you reside in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Colombia, Brazil, Albania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, and direct this sign at someone, it basically means that person’s wife is cheating on him or is a slut. So proceed with caution…

CROSSING YOUR FINGERS: Crossing your middle finger over your index finger generally means you’re hoping for the best or wishing yourself good luck. Uh… not so in Vietnam. Over here, it’s considered an obscene gesture as the crossed fingers are said to resemble female genitals. Sigh… who would have thought?

BECKONING WITH FOREFINGER: This means “come here” in most cultures but if you did this in the Philippines and in some Asian countries, it is considered highly derogatory as it is a hand gesture reserved for calling a dog to you.

THE CUTIS: Ok, be super careful with this hand gesture. Placing your thumb behind your upper teeth and flicking your hand forward while saying the word “cutta” is especially crude and means “screw you” – but only if you’re in India or Pakistan… phew!

FIST AND ELBOW: Sticking up a clenched fist while bending your elbow at 90 degrees means you’re stingy if used in Mexico and South America. However virtually everywhere else in the world, this is a vulgar gesture that means “Up yours” and is the equivalent to flipping the bird.

THE MOUTZA: If you’re in Greece, Africa or Pakistan do not under any circumstances gesture with your fingers flayed outward and your palms exposed as this is not only regarded as insulting but confrontational as well. This is believed to have evolved from the practice of rubbing dirt, ash and even faeces into the faces of convicts.

So there you have it – ten hand gestures that communicate a wealth of messages if used correctly and in the right region of the world.