As a child, I was taught: "You don't point with a naked finger at dressed people." Of course, I had to look for the loopholes: "What about if I'm wearing gloves?" and "What about pointing at naked people?"
The OK sign is totally fine in Germany. You might run into people from other areas of Europe or the world that won't understand it but for Germans the OK sign is just fine.
yes, it is the 180° turned ok sign, that's a problem here. Followed by a childish : "You looked into it!" If someone looked into the circle. Wasn't my thing as a child, don't know if it has any noteworthy meaning.
Pointing directly at someone 🫵🏼 we even have a saying for that in german: "you don't point with your naked finger at clothed people" 😂 That's been hammered into our brains as children
I'm from the Netherlands (where we do have the phrase 'duimen' but not this gesture) and I just saw someone do it for the first time this summer - the tow truck driver who took us and our car to the garage and wished us luck!
In Italy, pulling down your lower eyelid means, "Watch out," or "I'm watching you." Basically, you're onto whatever shenanigans the other person is pulling.
It can have this meaning in Germany too. But I think more common would be just pointing at your eyelid without pulling. If you pull twice or even more often, then it definitely signals sarcasm.
Well... there is one more gesture that not only you should not do but is actually highly illegal and can land you in jail. Many years ago my uncle who was a Colonel at the time and my aunt were stationed in Germany and we went to visit them during the summer. We spent about two weeks traveling around and seeing all the sights and giggling at the exit signs (Ausfart lol). We even went to the Eagles nest and spent a night in the hotel at the base of the property before taking a bus up and walking around. So my grandfather and I thought it would be funny to goose-step and salute and saying "the words" while in the parking lot heading towards the hotel (honestly the whole place gave off massive 3rd Reich vibes so we didn't think nothing of it, it was history). I have never seen my uncle AND my aunt go into an absolute panic attack screaming at us to stop and running at us. There is nothing more scary than a panicked U.S. Colonel. Thankfully we weren't seen because apparently its actually illegal to do it because of the shame from the atrocities that were committed and you will go to jail. Yes it was dumb but I was a kid (I think I was like 13).
It''s considered unconstitutional and yes, highly illegal just like many symbols related to the Third Reich. As a tourist you might get away with a stern talking to, but otherwise this could cost you a hefty fine. Jail, eh, probably not, but you would be short about a month's salary. Or two. Theoretically it could be punished with up to three years in jail, but that's rarely done.
Additions from a german dude. - OK sign ist perfectly fine in germany. Do as you wish 👌 - Pointing with the finger directly on people when they notice may make them uncomftable, it´s not the gesture itself, it´s more the...focus on them, it´s like if you stare at them. If you point in a direction with this gesture, you can do that, no problem. Also if you like, you can signal a direction with a strechted out arm and a vertical flat hand. (mostly done with the left arm) Just make sure, you dont raise your right arm diagonal up with a flat hand, because it was a gesture from the era of nationalsocialism.
Thanks Mark. Taking my first solo trip to Germany next week. One thing you've left me puzzling over, though: how do you make sure you are signalling 'table for one please' and not just giving a random thumbs up of positivity?
I never signal that. But I also don't pay attention to the way someone holds up two or three fingers. Depending on the restaurant you won't even be seated and just pick a table yourself. Otherwise it's easiest to just talk the the waiter. Or you can resort to online reservations if available.
He was wrong about that one, you would use your index-finger if you want to signal "just one". Thumb up m,eans ok unless you use your hand to count more than 1. Also using your index and middle finger to signal "2" is perfectly fine.
I was in Germany 2 weeks ago. Went to Berlin for IFA and went to Munich for the day to BMW Welt ❤️ Both amazing cities, so clean and the transport, wow! Compared to the UK where I'm from, completely different. Will definitely be going to Germany again soon 🍻 totally forgot about their recycling too. Chucked a plastic bottle in the bin on the 1st day, then someone picked it out the bin! Then I remembered, you get money back when you recycle your bottles & cans 😁
Wait, you thought Berlin is clean? It has been some time since the last time I was there, but I think it's one of the dirtier German cities. Munich of cause is a different story.
@@Flo-vn9ty from the parts of Berlin I visited, yes, I thought it was clean 👍 I stayed in Ludwigsfelde for 4 days and visited Messe for IFA. Compared to where I'm from, Newport, UK, Berlin was clean & tidy 😉👍
Clenching your right fist while raising your right forearm, palm side up and aggressively slapping your right bicep with the other hand is saying “get lost”.
Interesting.....here in the Netherlands we do use a similar gesture to point out someone is an idiot, but then very specifically tapping the middle of your forehead. Very popular gesture in traffic! Meanwhile tapping the side of your head would rather mean smart, big brain. We don't do the wave thing here for crazy/weird, but instead have a gesture that mostly looks like you're grabbing a fly right in front of your face.
When it comes to tipping your forehead we have both gestures you described in Germany as well. But he is not wrong that tipping the side of your forehead could also mean your crazy in Germany. It's hard to explain how to tell the two side tipping gestures apart, if you didn't grow up with it. I think typically the tipping for 'your crazy' would be faster than that for 'your smart' and could sometimes also involve some twisting of your finger. You could also just touch your forehead without tapping and twist your finger and we have the circle motion next to your head as well.
The "crazy" one is often called Scheibenwischer (windscreen wiper) in Austria. It's very common here, even our Federal President has been known to do it on camera - expressing his opinion about certain political positions.
Dear Wolter, you are wrong about the "OK-Sign" in Germany. We also use it for "OK"! 👌Te "Thumbs up" 👍 are more common here, but these two gestures are used similarly.
0:55 we even have a name for that: jemandem den Vogel zeigen - "to show someone the bird". I guess it means that you have a little bird in your head and you're coo coo crazy - although it can of course refer to a third party, for example if you're telling a story in which you are confronted with some crazy expectations.
Otto Waalkes did the voice of Mushu the dragon in the German version of Disney's Mulan. (I had found out about a German comedian named Otto Waalkes from watching the special features of my Disneys Mulan DVD set when they were talking about the translation of Disney's Mulan in multiple different languages, which is how I eventually discovered a German comedian named Otto Waalkes)
I'm very interested in cultural differences (especially USA-GER) and really thought that these gestures would be valid internationally. There's always something new to learn.
If you do the OK sign with the three fingers upwards its ok, if the three fingers are downwards it's more like a childish game, where you have to avoid looking into the hole, kinda like the game or rick rolling
But in Northrhine-Westfalia I know a lot of people - me included- who actually use the "ok-sign" for good and tasty food. Especially when you still chew your first bite. Because many germans can't wait to get an answer on how good their food is. xD . and I'll be like *chewing* "mmm mmm ya' 'at's 'ood" *ok sign* ..... xD
Several of these also exist in France, but the "pulling down your eye" one would be an expression of doubt there, not sarcasm. As in, "I don't believe a word of what you just said".
You don't have to pull as strong like that on your eyelid to get the point across, usually just lightly pulling your cheek down with one finger is enough.
Interesting, I didn't know that you don't do this gestures for crazy people/things in the US. It would be interesting to know: how do you indicate in the US that someone is nuts then? Yeah, I still learned the phrase: "When you point one finger at a person, three fingers are pointing at an idiot" (namely yourself).
Well you CAN point with your finger at people, but if your friends or familiar with them, you can get "Man zeigt nicht mit nackten Fingern auf Menschen. (You didn't point at people with naked fingers.)" or a "Wer auf andre zeigt, zeigt mit 4 Fingern auf sich selbst. (Who points at others, points on himself with 4 fingers.)" as response to it. Its some easy/ fun way to state that in germany you didn't point at others (in such direct way). Thats what i learned.
This was helpful. I just read that it is illegal in Germany, under the German Insult law, to insult someone in public. An offence committed under this act can result in charges and a possible sentence of up to two years in jail.
Well thats... very basic. There are a lot loopholes where you can insult people, also in public, without getting charged. We have in germany swear words which didn't count as offense or insult which get punished under/ by law and it depends most if you insult a person direct or indirect or a group. And there for groups are special exceptiosn when its a punishable insult... A bit, complicated all in all.
@@anonymousanonymous5046 When more than one German stares at you, you are probably being rude, weird or doing something wrong. When you are loud on a train, people will stare st you to silently tell you to lower your volume.
Can someone help me understand what 👌🏼 means in Germany? Is it essentially the same as the middle finger, but more aggressive? Or does it mean something entirely different?
If you sign it like in the emoji in your comment, it means ok. If you do it like Wolters it eather means "f... you" or "butthole". Or if someone does what Walters did with a seductive expession, its a very rude way to aks someone to f... with you. I am glad to say, I never had to see anyone doing the last one. But i heard about creepy men doing it in backstreets. So just do it like in the emoji, or just say it. ^^
The "OK-sign" has different meanings in Germany due to the context: In working conditions, palm open to the others, it means "ok" or "fine" (It's ok/ I'm ok/the cake ist delicious) but in conflicts, palm to your body, it means: you're an a..hole (symbolizes an anus). So be careful when you use it.
As always, very well observed and perfectly tackled topic! Tons of Kudos and a whole lot of respect to you und alles Gute aus Frankfurt!!! I, as a native German, relate to any of your featured gestures to a fully consent......
As a child, I was taught: "You don't point with a naked finger at dressed people."
Of course, I had to look for the loopholes: "What about if I'm wearing gloves?" and "What about pointing at naked people?"
🤣same here !
I find it extremely rude to point at naked people! Even with a naked finger!
The OK sign is totally fine in Germany. You might run into people from other areas of Europe or the world that won't understand it but for Germans the OK sign is just fine.
yes, it is the 180° turned ok sign, that's a problem here. Followed by a childish : "You looked into it!" If someone looked into the circle. Wasn't my thing as a child, don't know if it has any noteworthy meaning.
Absolutely, he mixed that up with another country (don’t remember which one it is), where it is not Ok to do that sign
@@juliane__ But that's not really the a-ok sign. The ok sign is understood here.
Palm out means OK/great/delicious. Palm towards your body means a…h…
absolutly, dont know where he got his info
Pointing directly at someone 🫵🏼 we even have a saying for that in german: "you don't point with your naked finger at clothed people" 😂 That's been hammered into our brains as children
Also "When you point a finger at another person, three are pointing at you"
Remember Michael Fassbender in Inglourious Basterds😅😂
Helly Hansen!
"Drei Gläser"
You always make things fun, interesting - useful! Thank you, Mark for sharing!
The third one looks like the John Cena “you can’t see me” move. 😂
I'm French and I understand this sign as "blind".
That’s where my mind went as well.
"Ich drück dir die Daumen." is a common phrase but I've never seen anyone literally do it.
@@HyperionStudiosDE I do that and I see people doing it!
I'm from the Netherlands (where we do have the phrase 'duimen' but not this gesture) and I just saw someone do it for the first time this summer - the tow truck driver who took us and our car to the garage and wished us luck!
In Italy, pulling down your lower eyelid means, "Watch out," or "I'm watching you." Basically, you're onto whatever shenanigans the other person is pulling.
A lot of Spanish-speaking/Latino cultures too. "Ojo!", keep an eye out.
It can have this meaning in Germany too. But I think more common would be just pointing at your eyelid without pulling. If you pull twice or even more often, then it definitely signals sarcasm.
Well... there is one more gesture that not only you should not do but is actually highly illegal and can land you in jail. Many years ago my uncle who was a Colonel at the time and my aunt were stationed in Germany and we went to visit them during the summer. We spent about two weeks traveling around and seeing all the sights and giggling at the exit signs (Ausfart lol). We even went to the Eagles nest and spent a night in the hotel at the base of the property before taking a bus up and walking around.
So my grandfather and I thought it would be funny to goose-step and salute and saying "the words" while in the parking lot heading towards the hotel (honestly the whole place gave off massive 3rd Reich vibes so we didn't think nothing of it, it was history). I have never seen my uncle AND my aunt go into an absolute panic attack screaming at us to stop and running at us. There is nothing more scary than a panicked U.S. Colonel. Thankfully we weren't seen because apparently its actually illegal to do it because of the shame from the atrocities that were committed and you will go to jail. Yes it was dumb but I was a kid (I think I was like 13).
Hopefully they would have understood that you were foreign (and a child) and been lenient.
It''s considered unconstitutional and yes, highly illegal just like many symbols related to the Third Reich. As a tourist you might get away with a stern talking to, but otherwise this could cost you a hefty fine. Jail, eh, probably not, but you would be short about a month's salary. Or two. Theoretically it could be punished with up to three years in jail, but that's rarely done.
I enjoyed this video!😊❤
So, if I understand correctly, if you give the thumbs up sign to indicate agreement, you get a beer. That would explain a lot.
Additions from a german dude.
- OK sign ist perfectly fine in germany. Do as you wish 👌
- Pointing with the finger directly on people when they notice may make them uncomftable, it´s not the gesture itself, it´s more the...focus on them, it´s like if you stare at them. If you point in a direction with this gesture, you can do that, no problem. Also if you like, you can signal a direction with a strechted out arm and a vertical flat hand. (mostly done with the left arm)
Just make sure, you dont raise your right arm diagonal up with a flat hand, because it was a gesture from the era of nationalsocialism.
The end of the video "I know what that meant" as you make a pointing gesture 😁! Hahaha just teasing, love your vids!
The ok sign is pervectly fine in Germany. Maybe it means more like „perfect“ or „delicious“
Thanks Mark. Taking my first solo trip to Germany next week. One thing you've left me puzzling over, though: how do you make sure you are signalling 'table for one please' and not just giving a random thumbs up of positivity?
I never signal that. But I also don't pay attention to the way someone holds up two or three fingers. Depending on the restaurant you won't even be seated and just pick a table yourself. Otherwise it's easiest to just talk the the waiter. Or you can resort to online reservations if available.
They start counting with the thumb , but if you want to say "one item" use your index. Or just talk to the guy 😊
He was wrong about that one, you would use your index-finger if you want to signal "just one". Thumb up m,eans ok unless you use your hand to count more than 1. Also using your index and middle finger to signal "2" is perfectly fine.
no worries, at most places you can seat yourself (unless its a really expensive fancy restaurant)
I was in Germany 2 weeks ago. Went to Berlin for IFA and went to Munich for the day to BMW Welt ❤️
Both amazing cities, so clean and the transport, wow! Compared to the UK where I'm from, completely different.
Will definitely be going to Germany again soon 🍻 totally forgot about their recycling too. Chucked a plastic bottle in the bin on the 1st day, then someone picked it out the bin! Then I remembered, you get money back when you recycle your bottles & cans 😁
Wait, you thought Berlin is clean? It has been some time since the last time I was there, but I think it's one of the dirtier German cities. Munich of cause is a different story.
@@Flo-vn9ty from the parts of Berlin I visited, yes, I thought it was clean 👍 I stayed in Ludwigsfelde for 4 days and visited Messe for IFA.
Compared to where I'm from, Newport, UK, Berlin was clean & tidy 😉👍
Thank you for interesting information.😊
Clenching your right fist while raising your right forearm, palm side up and aggressively slapping your right bicep with the other hand is saying “get lost”.
Interesting.....here in the Netherlands we do use a similar gesture to point out someone is an idiot, but then very specifically tapping the middle of your forehead. Very popular gesture in traffic! Meanwhile tapping the side of your head would rather mean smart, big brain.
We don't do the wave thing here for crazy/weird, but instead have a gesture that mostly looks like you're grabbing a fly right in front of your face.
En naast je hoofd rondjes draaien met je wijsvinger 😅
@@Dennis-xj8nh ach ja, die hebben we ook nog inderdaad. Voor als iemand echt helemaal kierewiet is 😄
@@WizardOfOss ja precies, hahaha! Groeten uit Rotterdam
When it comes to tipping your forehead we have both gestures you described in Germany as well. But he is not wrong that tipping the side of your forehead could also mean your crazy in Germany. It's hard to explain how to tell the two side tipping gestures apart, if you didn't grow up with it. I think typically the tipping for 'your crazy' would be faster than that for 'your smart' and could sometimes also involve some twisting of your finger. You could also just touch your forehead without tapping and twist your finger and we have the circle motion next to your head as well.
The "crazy" one is often called Scheibenwischer (windscreen wiper) in Austria.
It's very common here, even our Federal President has been known to do it on camera - expressing his opinion about certain political positions.
The ok-sign is something positive. It means „exzellent“.
The problem is he showed the reverse, so palm up, which means someones netherregions.
@@captbunnykiller1.0 no, Not in Germany
1;47 in austria, we have a politician, who ordered 3 beers... ;-)
similar hand gestures are also common in Poland 😅
Dear Wolter, you are wrong about the "OK-Sign" in Germany. We also use it for "OK"! 👌Te "Thumbs up" 👍 are more common here, but these two gestures are used similarly.
yeah, he mixed that up with the "you looked into it" circle
I like the gesture for "being Sarcastic." We need to adopt that one here...
To stress the meaning we sometimes use the middlefinger on this one. Use carefully.
0:55 we even have a name for that: jemandem den Vogel zeigen - "to show someone the bird".
I guess it means that you have a little bird in your head and you're coo coo crazy - although it can of course refer to a third party, for example if you're telling a story in which you are confronted with some crazy expectations.
Otto Waalkes did the voice of Mushu the dragon in the German version of Disney's Mulan. (I had found out about a German comedian named Otto Waalkes from watching the special features of my Disneys Mulan DVD set when they were talking about the translation of Disney's Mulan in multiple different languages, which is how I eventually discovered a German comedian named Otto Waalkes)
otto walkes is a legend. we grew up with him. He also did the voice over for "sid" from ice age.
We’re going to be in Germany for Christmas! I can’t wait to press my thumbs at everyone!
Don't point with your naked finger to clothed persons!
Take that finger out of my face!
That's something you might hear as a reaction to pointing.
Aside from Germany, I grew up in California and was taught that it's rude to point at people.
I'm very interested in cultural differences (especially USA-GER) and really thought that these gestures would be valid internationally. There's always something new to learn.
If you do the OK sign with the three fingers upwards its ok, if the three fingers are downwards it's more like a childish game, where you have to avoid looking into the hole, kinda like the game or rick rolling
Is it snowing there already?
Old video
Low temperatures and terrible rain and floods all over Central Europe in the last few days!
But in Northrhine-Westfalia I know a lot of people - me included- who actually use the "ok-sign" for good and tasty food. Especially when you still chew your first bite. Because many germans can't wait to get an answer on how good their food is. xD . and I'll be like *chewing* "mmm mmm ya' 'at's 'ood" *ok sign* ..... xD
Love this I have a friend who is German and I saw him doing the not so bright one - when someone was talking - ooh I got some questions to ask lol
That weird moment when you say it's ok and you end up with a beer
Several of these also exist in France, but the "pulling down your eye" one would be an expression of doubt there, not sarcasm. As in, "I don't believe a word of what you just said".
Noone does that eye pulling. Who don't get my sarcasm isn't worth getting a hint
A lot of water flowing down that river.
They don't dig der verscheisenkupf 🤣 !
????? Der what? I wouldn't have thought it is possible to make so many spelling mistakes in a word that never existed. Makes no sense at all.
You don't have to pull as strong like that on your eyelid to get the point across, usually just lightly pulling your cheek down with one finger is enough.
Who watched Inglourious Basterds knows how to count in German lol great tips
Interesting, I didn't know that you don't do this gestures for crazy people/things in the US. It would be interesting to know: how do you indicate in the US that someone is nuts then? Yeah, I still learned the phrase: "When you point one finger at a person, three fingers are pointing at an idiot" (namely yourself).
OK sign with open hand to you , means top or exellent. it taste great and you re eating , if someone ask you!
And be carful and don´t order one beer with your middle finger !
The Swedes do the same thing when they wish someone luck, we’re hold our thumbs for them. If you cross your fingers, it means you your lying. 🤞🏼🤥
Well you CAN point with your finger at people, but if your friends or familiar with them, you can get "Man zeigt nicht mit nackten Fingern auf Menschen. (You didn't point at people with naked fingers.)" or a "Wer auf andre zeigt, zeigt mit 4 Fingern auf sich selbst. (Who points at others, points on himself with 4 fingers.)" as response to it. Its some easy/ fun way to state that in germany you didn't point at others (in such direct way).
Thats what i learned.
It's wolter picking up crumbs and scraps from a Christmas past, making content
If you do one about Italian hand gestures, you'll get more out of The Godfather films. My Italian girlfriend at the time told me what they all meant.
This was helpful. I just read that it is illegal in Germany, under the German Insult law, to insult someone in public. An offence committed under this act can result in charges and a possible sentence of up to two years in jail.
Thats true, especially if you insult police officers
Well thats... very basic. There are a lot loopholes where you can insult people, also in public, without getting charged. We have in germany swear words which didn't count as offense or insult which get punished under/ by law and it depends most if you insult a person direct or indirect or a group. And there for groups are special exceptiosn when its a punishable insult... A bit, complicated all in all.
@@SebastianDPunkt got any examples?
@@hammersbald9847 It might be more likely that they take you into account but the law is the same for everyone, police or not.
Don´t do the ok sign in Brazil either
What about...the German stare? Do you notice staring seems to be more common in Germany than some other countries?
@@anonymousanonymous5046 When more than one German stares at you, you are probably being rude, weird or doing something wrong.
When you are loud on a train, people will stare st you to silently tell you to lower your volume.
Can someone help me understand what 👌🏼 means in Germany? Is it essentially the same as the middle finger, but more aggressive? Or does it mean something entirely different?
means doughnuts
@@hpvspeedmachine4183 😄
If you sign it like in the emoji in your comment, it means ok.
If you do it like Wolters it eather means "f... you" or "butthole".
Or if someone does what Walters did with a seductive expession, its a very rude way to aks someone to f... with you. I am glad to say, I never had to see anyone doing the last one. But i heard about creepy men doing it in backstreets. So just do it like in the emoji, or just say it. ^^
@@Lin_84 thank you!!
@@hpvspeedmachine4183 😂
❤❤❤
The "OK-sign" has different meanings in Germany due to the context: In working conditions, palm open to the others, it means "ok" or "fine" (It's ok/ I'm ok/the cake ist delicious) but in conflicts, palm to your body, it means: you're an a..hole (symbolizes an anus). So be careful when you use it.
no, not that one, guys. c'mon.
Lol was just about to say
As always, very well observed and perfectly tackled topic! Tons of Kudos and a whole lot of respect to you und alles Gute aus Frankfurt!!! I, as a native German, relate to any of your featured gestures to a fully consent......
👍
Hi. Great video, thanks. Nothing wrong with the OK sign though.
Drei glaser!
Reduce Your tempo BITTE. Warum so schnell? (do you pay per minute/second?)
Im from Australia. Iv been to Germany and I didn't use any of these hand gestures and survived.
So weirs!
Don't use "weird" Try "Different" American exceptionalism on show?
🇪🇬🐪🌴
Completely exagerated, as allways, sorry to say.
Time-stamps please
ich bin deutscher. thumbs up.
@01:15 you cant see me my time is now
Yup it's at little detail 1:42 that got the good Lt. Hicox busted by Sturmbannführer Hellstrom!