A warning has been issued by travel experts for tourists heading to Turkey this summer. The country, which is located partially in Asia and partially in Europe, is a popular spot with Brits and destinations include Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya and Bodrum. The country experiences high temperatures and plenty of sunny weather over the summer, and many Brits flock there to top up their tan and experience some stellar resorts.
But Turkey is culturally different from the UK in many ways, and there may be things that you don’t realise are actually considered rude and downright offensive in the country. A specific hand gesture is one of them and travel experts have warned Brits that they need to be aware of it before they arrive in Turkey or they could land themselves in some serious trouble. Making offensive gestures can lead to prosecution under Article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code, which criminalises public insults, Ski Vertigo revealed.
The “fig sign” is one of those gestures that could land you in serious trouble. This hand gesture involves sticking your thumb between two fingers.
It is used as a mildly obscene gesture in many countries and cultures aorund the world but in some places, it is more offensive than others. In many places, it can be used to resemble the female genitalia. In Turkey, it might also signify that you are ready for a fight.
Brits need to be careful with this one. Innocent things like a game of “I got your nose” with your child could be taken up the wrong way while on holiday in Turkey.
“Even minor confrontations can escalate quickly in Turkey if the wrong gesture is used,” Ski Vertigo said. “Police won’t hesitate to get involved if someone claims they were insulted.”
Turkey isn’t the only country where you can get into serious trouble because of a hand gesture. In the United Arab Emirates, for example, symbols like the middle finger can lead to arrest, fines, or deportation. Gestures considered “disgraceful or insulting” are punishable, especially if made during a dispute, under Article 373 of the UAE Penal Code. This also includes gestures made in social media posts.
Rude gestures made in Thailand and India can also result in arrest, while making specific gestures in countries like Greece, Italy, Brazil, and Japan can result in unpleasant reactions from locals.