This isn't only a way to show the number one in German, but also a universal hand gesture for showing that everything is okay or perfect. Be cautious when using the thumbs up, as someone might think that you're counting. But in general, people understand that you're signing “perfect” or “okay” when doing this gesture.
One gesture that you should never make in Germany is the “forearm jerk,” which is just as rude as sticking out your middle finger. The forearm jerk is done by pushing up your right forearm with your right fist clenched, then slapping your left forearm with your left hand.
Body Language
Germans may appear reserved and unfriendly until you get to know them better. Never put your hands in your pockets when talking with someone. "Thumbs up" gesture means "one" or is a sign of appreciation or agreement.
Thumbs-Up. Avoid using this gesture in: Afghanistan, Iran, parts of Italy, and Greece. The gesture of 'Thumbs-up may look cool on Facebook or USA, but in Afghanistan, Iran, parts of Italy, and Greece, it means "up yours." So, to avoid any awkwardness, next time you must reconsider what you are doing.
In Germany, you press your thumbs when you're wishing someone good luck. It's the equivalent of crossing your fingers for someone.
In Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Bastards there is a scene where a spy outs himself by ordering a drink with three fingers up — his index, middle, and ring finger. A German would have ordered “three” with the index, middle finger, and thumb extended.
The "thumbs up" sign popular in the United States is used widely in most of Europe to say "OK" (it also represents the number one when counting).
Some of European hand gestures are positive and some are negative, for example, many people in the US and the UK use the thumbs up sign as a positive 'yes', however, in Sardinia and Greece it is as bad as holding up the middle finger.
What does 👍 Thumbs Up emoji mean? The thumbs-up emoji is used to express assent, approval, or encouragement in digital communications, especially in Western cultures.
The thumbs up signal has a generally positive connotation in English-speaking countries. However, its perceived meaning varies significantly from culture to culture. The sign is said to have a pejorative meaning in some countries, including Iraq and Iran.
It is polite to address everyone by their family name and "Sie." Do not leave off double-barreled names, such as Frau Müller-Weber. Names are inserted into conversation after every few sentences.
Pressing your thumbs for good luck
In many English-speaking cultures, a common way to wish someone good luck is to cross one's fingers. Germany alternatively has its very own gesture and phrase for this. Saying Ich drücke dir die Daumen (my thumbs are pressed for you) expresses wishes of good luck.
Instead of crossing their fingers, Germans press their thumbs. So rather than telling someone that you're crossing your fingers for them, you would say: “Ich drücke dir die Daumen.” This translates literally as: "I'll press my thumbs for you" but means "I'll keep my fingers crossed for you."
In Germany, it's considered polite to maintain eye contact almost all the time while talking to another person. This is especially important during business meetings. Eye contact is a sign of attentiveness, and you don't need to be afraid of threatening someone with this.
Under German's insult law, using curse words and insulting gestures like the middle finger and sticking out the tongue is illegal. The gesture is known as flipping someone off and is a phallic symbol used in the past to belittle and insult somebody.
Chewing gum, blowing your nose, winking at someone you don't know well, rolling down the window to chat with someone outside — all of these minor infractions are taboo in Germany.
Some Gen-Zs have labeled the 'thumbs up' emoji as passive-aggressive, saying that it's “hostile” and “super rude,” and even hurtful. Apparently, some of these Gen Z's were taken aback by its use at the workplace and explained that the person using the emoji is perceived as unfriendly and disinterested.
🤟 I Love You Gesture emoji
It comes in a range of skin tones. It's used to express affection … but is also used when people are trying to find the sign of the horns 🤘instead (oops).
Depicting two hands pressed together and fingers pointed up, 🙏 Folded Hands is variously used as a gesture of prayer (religious or secular), thanks, request, and greeting as well to express such sentiments as hope, praise, gratitude, reverence, and respect.
The thumbs‐up gesture appears repeatedly in subsections on non‐verbal communication. According to John Cullen and Praveen Parboteeah “The thumbs‐up gesture means everything is going well for North Americans and many Europeans, but is a rude gesture in Australia and West Africa” (Cullen and Parboteeah, 2005, p. 498).
The thumbs-up gesture is a sign of approval in most countries. However, in several countries in West Africa and the Middle East, including Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan, the gesture has the connotation of "up yours!" It's used the same way the middle finger is in the US.
Manners and behaviour
Habits such as chewing gum and cleaning fingernails are not acceptable in public. It is rude to have your hands in your pockets when talking with someone in Germany. In France, picking your teeth and clipping your nails should be done in private rather than out in the open.
A thumbs-up or a thumbs-up sign is a sign that you make by raising your thumb to show that you agree with someone, that you are happy with an idea or situation, or that everything is all right.
It is considered to be extremely rude not to make and maintain eye contact. Gestures: French people tend to use the 'thumbs up' sign to indicate 'okay'. Making a circle with the thumb and index finger means 'zero' in France.
Thumbs up
This is quite common in most of europe so you will probably be familiar with this one. It can mean a variety of things that are positive. For example, you could put your thumbs up to mean 'yes', 'sure', 'good job', 'really good' etc.