Required reading for tourists
That Corna one over there, at least in Portugal, comes from we saying to put (on) the horns (por os cornos) means you’re cheating on your partner, making them the horned one (cornuda/chifrudo).
So I think doing that gesture to someone not your partner is an insult as much as any other hand gesture you can make as long as you are talking angrily.
Not only are the gestures for Germany not offensive in Germany (“the fig” is known as an offencife gestere here though. Probably because of the Turkish influence), but the flag with emblem was used. The emblem is only to be used by federal agencies.
Or prior to 1990 to differentiate west and east Germany.
Also, I‘d say, depending on the context, hands in pockets might be perceived as rude, especially by older people. I‘d guess that the a-ok thing is also primarily considered rude by older people, I only really know it as a-ok.
In Morocco you hold your hand flat with your palm facing upwards then move your middle finger upwards so it’s at about 45 degrees from your other fingers. You can do the same gesture with your hand pointing upwards as well (works well when driving).
I only did it once and the driver who it was aimed at looked so shocked I never did it again. Don’t know what it means.
If you are in Britain, the places where anyone actually travels wouldn’t mind hands in pockets in the same way elbows on tables is fine. Outer suburbs and the Tory heartlands might get wound up if there isn’t a festival on but there legitimately isn’t much reason to go there outside of that.
