What Does a "Thumbs Up" Mean in Iraq?

[MaryAnnDVC]

How are we (and our soldiers) supposed to interpret this?? http://slate.msn.com/id/2080812/ Could WE ever change our interpretation of "the middle finger salute" to a GOOD thing??

 

[stormi65]

From what I understand in many arab countries, a thumbs up is a insult.

 

[Disney Doll]

Based on the expression on the face of the man in that picture, I don't think it is a psoitive gesture, as least not coming from him.

I do think there may be some creedence to the thought that some non-Americans may have picked up on its psoitive meaning in our culture and are using it as we understand it.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Originally posted by stormi65
From what I understand in many arab countries, a thumbs up is a insult.

Yes I know...that's what the article says. But I recall seeing on our news all the glowing reports about our soldiers being greeted with a thumbs up. But was it a good thumbs up or not?

 

[dandave]

Well, he did give the "thumbs up" with his right hand. I guess if he really meant it as an insult, he would have used his left (wiping) hand.

 

[MelanieC]

I saw some media pictures of men and children giving thumbs up in iraq. The Iraqi's I saw had smiles on their faces and looked like they were approving of our soldiers. I also thought the same thing when I saw it because I had heard before it did not mean the same as we think. The pictures of those kids and men really looked like they were happy we were there. It is possible that they know what our Western meaning is.

Melanie

 

[Geoff_M]

Slate magazine answers the question. Roughly translated, it means "Up yours, pal!"

http://slate.msn.com/id/2080812/

 

[Saffron]

I guess it's like true sign language. Facial expressions and body language mean a lot. I would interpret the picture of that guy in the article as saying, "Up yours" loud and clear. I guess you'd have to see the people, the expressions and body language to figure out if those who greeted the soldiers were doing it positively or negatively.

 

[Laurajean1014]

More important, look at the guy next to him - holding up a happy Saddam poster. And he does not look middle eastern>>>