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Common rude gestures to avoid in Ukraine visualisation

Common rude gestures to avoid in Ukraine

Understanding Ukraine: Cultural Mistakes to Avoid in Ukrainian: Common rude gestures to avoid in Ukraine
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Common rude gestures to avoid in Ukraine include:

  • Putting your thumb between your first two fingers (thumb between index and middle finger) while making a fist. This gesture is considered very rude and offensive in Ukraine.
  • Pointing with one finger; Ukrainians prefer pointing with the whole hand as pointing with one finger is seen as impolite.
  • Waving at someone with your finger is considered rude and should be reserved only for beckoning children or pets.

Additional cultural non-verbal tips to avoid offense:

  • Avoid sitting on the floor, ground, or stairs as it is considered bad manners.
  • Avoid walking on grass in public spaces, especially if flowers are growing.
  • Avoid shaking hands across the threshold of a door as it is considered bad luck.
  • Do not whistle indoors as it is believed to blow your money away and is considered unlucky.

These gestures and behaviors can easily offend Ukrainians, so it’s best to be mindful of them to show respect in social interactions in Ukraine. 1, 2, 3, 4

References

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