I could easily be mistaken about this, but I think that among Arabs a "thumbs-up sign" does not mean "I have successfully tested my terrorist weapon in the lavatory", but rather "up yours!". Can someone confirm that? One of my students last night told me that her boyfriend who is in the U.S. military in Iraq learned that as part of his "how to operate in this culture" training, and I thought I'd read it elsewhere before.
From http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/3544/gestures.htm
Gestures
Thumbs up sign � no meaning in Asia. Obscene in many Middle Eastern countries, Nigeria, Australia and Afghanistan. Okay sign obscene in some countries.
And from http://myusm.com/usm364930.html
In some parts of the world putting your hands on your hips is impolite. The thumbs-up sign is downright offensive in Iran and many Middle Eastern countries.
Miguel
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