Rude Hand Gestures of the World by Romana Lefevre is a photographic guide to the many ways of using hand gestures to offend people in different parts of the world. The book’s photography is by Daniel Castro, and published by Chronicle Books of San Francisco.

A hand gesture is arguably the most effective form of expression, whether you’re defaming a friend’s mother or telling a perfect stranger to get lost. Learn how to go beyond just flipping the bird with this illustrated guide to rude hand gestures all around the world, from asking for sex in the Middle East to calling someone crazy in Italy. Detailed photographs of hand models and subtle tips for proper usage make Rude Hand Gestures of the World the perfect companion for globe-trotters looking to offend.

Chin Flick

Meaning: Get lost
Used in: Belgium, France, Northern Italy, Tunisia

In France, this gesture is known as la barbe, or “the beard", the idea being that the gesturer is flashing his masculinity in much the same way that a buck will brandish his horns or a cock his comb. Simply brush the hand under the chin in a forward flicking motion. While not as aggressive as flashing one’s actual genitalia, this gesture is legal and remains effective as a mildly insulting brush-off.

Note: In Italy, this gesture simply means “No.”

Idiota
Meaning: Are you an idiot?
Used in: Brazil

A South American gesture indicating stupidity, this requires improv skills and an actorly flair. To perform, put your fist to your forehead while making a comical overbite. The gesture is most effective when accented with multiple grunts. When executed correctly, you will be rewarded with appreciative laughs, though not, perhaps, from your subject.

Moutza
Meaning: To hell with you!/I rub **** in your face!/I'm going to violate your sister!
Used in: Greece, Africa, Pakistan

The Moutza is among the most complex of hand gestures, as elaborate and ancient as a Japanese tea ceremony. Perhaps the oldest offensive hand signal still in use, the Moutza originated in ancient Byzantium, where it was the custom for criminals to be chained to a donkey and displayed on the street. There, local townsfolk might add to their humiliation by rubbing dirt, feces, and ashes ("moutzos" in medieval Greek) into their faces.

Now that the advent of modern sewage systems and anti- smoking laws means that these materials are no longer readily available, the Moutza is a symbolic stand-in. In Greece, it is often accompanied by commands including par’ta (“take these”) or órse (“there you go”). Over the years, the versatile Moutza has acquired more connotations, including a sexual one, in which the five extended fingers suggest the five sexual acts the gesturer would like to perform with the subject’s willing sister.

Five fathers
Meaning: You have five fathers, i.e., your mother is a whore
Used in: Arab countries, Caribbean

If you are looking to get yourself deported from Saudi Arabia – possibly amid a riot – you can do no better than the Five Fathers gesture. The most inflammatory hand gesture in the Arab world, this sign accuses the subject’s mother of having so many suitors that paternity is impossible to determine. To execute, point your left index finger at your right hand, while pursing all fingers of the right hand together. The insult is extreme and almost certain to provoke violence.

Pepper mill
Meaning: crazy
Used in: Southern Italy

In southern Italy, craziness is indicated by this gesture, in which one mimics the grinding of a pepper mill. The implication is that the subject’s addled brain is whirring as fast as the mill's blades.

Corna

Meaning: Your wife is unfaithful
Used in: The Baltics, Brazil, Colombia, Italy, Portugal, Spain

Informing a friend that his wife has been unfaithful is an unhappy and delicate task. Fortunately, in many countries, it is simple to do: one simply gives him the Corna. A very old sign, the Corna dates back at least 2,500 years and represents a bull’s horns (bulls were commonly castrated to make them calmer).

Be warned that while the gesture is used throughout the world, its meaning varies greatly from country to country.Should you be on the receiving end of the gesture, before you cast out your wife, remember that your pal may simply be saying she is a fan of American college football or heavy metal bands.

Write-off
Meaning: I am ignoring you
Used in: Greece

The literal translation of st’arxidia mou, the phrase that accompanies this gesture, is “I write it on my testicles.” And while there may well be people who, out of a strange psychological compulsion or simply boredom, actually write on their testicles, here the threat is simply metaphorical and tells the subject you’re ignoring him. One needn’t possess testicles to use the gesture, which is employed by men and women alike.

Cutis
Meaning: Screw you and your whole family
Used in: India, Pakistan

Should you find yourself in India or Pakistan, wishing to insult not just your host but your host’s entire family, look no further than the Cutis gesture. Its origins are unknown, but its effect is swift and severe. Simply make a fist then flick the thumb off the front teeth while exclaiming "cutta!" (“Screw you!”). In short order, you will find himself ejected from the premises, your mission to offend thoroughly accomplished.

Tacaño
Meaning: You're stingy
Used in: Mexico, South America

Just as the heart is associated with love, so, in many Latin American countries, is the elbow with stinginess. In Mexico the two are so closely linked that a miser is described as "muy codo" (very elbow), the idea being that he rarely straightens it to pay the check. If your compadre makes a habit of failing to pick up the check, you may wish to correct his behaviour with this sharp gesture. For extra emphasis, bang your elbow on the table.

Note: In Austria and Germany the same gesture means “You’re an idiot,” suggesting that the elbow is where the subject keeps his brain.

Fishy smell
Meaning: I find you untrustworthy
Used in: Southern Italy

In business, it is important to let your associates know you can’t be taken advantage of. This gesture informs them you are on to their attempts to deceive. To perform, move your nose side to side with the index and middle finger. The movement suggests that something stinks, and you are trying to rid yourself of the odor.

1. Women Think About Food More Than Sex

A "survey of 5,000 people shows that women crowd out their sexy thoughts with worries about what they're eating. The British survey found that 25 percent of women think about food every 30 minutes, while only 10 percent report thinking about sex that often."

So far, so good. But read on for the sadder finding: "They may actually be thinking more about what they're not eating. Four in 10 women say they're always either dieting and/or concerned about their weight, and more than 60 percent confess that they don't like to eat in front of their partners. And it seems like a few of us haven't yet gotten over our high school cafeteria habits: When ordering in front of a date or even a long-term mate, 13 percent of respondents confess to choosing something lower-calorie than what they really wanted."

2. 25% Of People Answer The Phone During Sex

A "poll by British company MyPhoneDeals.co.uk recently tracked customer phone use to obtain some stats. They took numbers on pretty interesting questions, and we'll just say the answers were 'interesting' as well. One survey question asked users whether or not they had ever taken a phone call in the middle of sex. A ridiculous 25 percent of people admitted to answering a call while doing the deed. Yes, that is one in four."

3. College Students Prefer Compliments To Sex

"People might associate college life with pizza and promiscuity, but according to a paper published in the Journal of Personality, students would rather receive an ego boost (from compliments or good grades) than have sex. Incidentally, ego boosts also trump favorite foods, which actually makes sense considering how closely hunger and sexual compulsions are linked."

4. How Easily A Woman Orgasms Depends On Her Lip Shape

"In today's kooky love news, Stuart Brody, a psychology professor at the University of the West of Scotland, claims that you can discern a woman's ability to achieve orgasm just by looking at her lips. His paper, titled 'Vaginal Orgasm Is More Prevalent Among Women with a Prominent Tubercle of the Upper Lip,' names the plump spot below your cupid's bow, called the tubercle, as the best indicator of sexual satisfaction. But if you have a thin mouth, don't despair. While full lips are commonly associated with sexual prowess, Brody says to focus on that small bump instead of overall lip shape."

5. College Students Would Rather Give Up Sex Than Carry Textbooks

"College campuses may be notorious for promiscuity, but don't forget that most students are actually there to, uh, study. According to a survey released by software company Kno, Inc., one in four college students would give up sex for a year in exchange for electronic textbooks. Granted, the sample size was pretty small: just 506 students in various four-year institutions were surveyed, meaning that less than 130 students actually conform to the claim cited by the results. Who knows how much sex these kids are having in the first place?"

6. One In Five Women "Like" Facebook More Than Sex

"Picture yourself surrounded by your four closest girlfriends. According to a survey of 2,000 women by Cosmopolitan magazine, one of you would rather "like" status updates, post funny videos and stalk her exes on Facebook than get freaky between the sheets. Yes, that's right, 20 percent of women would rather give up sex than Facebook for a week."

7. Women Get More Bisexual As They Grow Older

"A new study reveals that women's sexual preferences tend to be a gray area (yep, identity confusion wasn't just for those college dorm days). In fact, researchers at Boise State University found that in a group of heterosexual women, 60 percent were physically interested in other women, 45 percent made out with a woman in the past, and 50 percent had fantasies about the same sex."

8. Laptops Can Be Bad For Sperm

"A new study in the journal Fertility and Sterility has found that men who place their laptops on their laps are toying with the quality of their sperm. Officially, researchers say, 'Our data suggest that the use of a laptop computer wirelessly connected to the Internet and positioned near the male reproductive organs may decrease human sperm quality.' Yikes! Researchers came upon this discovery by testing semen samples from 29 healthy men. They placed drops of sperm under a laptop that was connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi. Then, they downloaded something. Within four hours, a quarter of the samples were no longer swimming around; only 14 percent of semen samples stored away from the computer suffered the same fate. What's worse? Nine percent of the Wi-Fi subjected sperm showed DNA damage!"

9. Nerdy Women Have More Sex, Better Relationships

"Ladies who play games on Facebook, cell phones and computers have quite the sizzling social life. Even better, they have sex more frequently than women who don't game, according to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of GameHouse. Not only are these 'nerdy' girls getting more action in the bedroom, but they're likely happily committed to a serious relationship as well (probably with a fellow nerd). Sixty-four percent of women who game online are married or living with a partner. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being 'completely satisfied'), 71 percent of these women rated their current relationship at 6 or above."

While in Lyon (France) for the Festival of Lights 2011, we had the chance to admire the Urban Flipper designed by Carol Martin and Thibaut Berbezier who form the collective CT Light. The Urban Flipper is a giant interactive pinball created by 3D projection mapping, projected onto the facade of the Célestins theater in Lyon.

It uses the relief of the facade such as windows, balconies and columns as part of playable pinball, all complemented by the sounds of the pinball! The public has been able to try out the pinball, a very good experience! Congratulations to the creators!

In 2011, one word came up again and again: No. No form-fitting jeans, no baggy jeans, no toys with fast food, no fast food condiments in schools, no homemade lunches either. No cheerleaders in class. No service dogs in class. No dogs on planes. No babies on planes. No babies in restaurants. In fact, no baby photos either.

Here's a look back at everything that's gotten a great big X in the past 12 months.

January
Baby photos: A Maryland hospital banned baby photos in the first five minutes after a child is delivered. The hospital explained that family photographers were causing risky distractions, though those in opposition to the policy believed it was put in place to avoid malpractice lawsuits.


Elton's baby photos: When proud parents Elton John and David Furnish posed with their new baby on cover of Us Magazine, a supermarket in Arkansas deemed the content not safe for shoppers. The totally G-rated magazine was placed behind a "family shield."

Service dogs: A 12-year-old epileptic boy was banned from coming to school with the service dog trained to save his life.

April
Burqas: The controversial ban on women wearing the traditional Muslim head-to-toe covering went into effect in France. Police arrested or fined at least 60 women attempting to preserve their religious freedom by protesting the ban.

Brown-bag lunches: A Chicago public school banned kids from bringing food from home, forcing them to eat the cafeteria lunches or nothing at all. The school says it's healthier for kids but not all parents agree. They're also not in agreement on the price-point, considering home-made leftovers are a lot less money than the daily cafeteria fee.

May
Baggy pants: Schools districts from Florida to Pennsylvania banned students from wearing baggy pants. In Orlando an actual "baggy pants" law suspended students who "exposed underwear or body parts" with a little loose hanging fabric.

June
Babies on planes: When Malaysia Airlines banned babies from some first class flights, the hospitality industry took note.

July
Babies everywhere: Pretty soon babies and young kids were persona non grata at restaurants, hotels, movie theaters and more.

Babies with the name Lucifer: New Zealand courts decided to crack down on parents' rights, banning the name from the baby books because of it's satanic association.

Kids expressing themselves creatively: It really sucked to be a high school student in Florida this year. By the summer, Lake County's school district decided to ban "extreme" "unnatural" hair color and "bold" makeup, citing such mainstays of teen culture as causes of class distraction.



Faces expressing their lines falsely: Another big ban this year? Airbrushing. The British Advertising Standards Authority banned two makeup ads because they were overly airbrushed.

August
Teachers-student Facebook friends: Social networking has been a minefield for teachers. In Missouri, state senators came up with a band-aid solution. Fire any teacher who accepts a student's friend request on Facebook. They probably shouldn't retweet anything from a student either, just to be safe.

September
Fur: Don't hunt for your fox vests or mink coats in Los Angeles. Purchasing fur apparel is now illegal in the City of Angels.

Cheerleader uniforms: At a San Jose high school, cheerleaders are required to buy a micro-mini uniform if they make the squad. But they're also required to take it off when they go to class, because it's way too short. Paging the office of mixed messages.

Saying 'bless you': A teacher said his class got so out of hand with sneeze follow-ups he banned the verbal courtesy from his classroom.

October
Tanning teens: First no fur, now no leather skin. That's probably a good thing. California passed a law banning the use of tanning beds by anyone under 18.


America's favorite condiment: While burgers seem to pass the health boards in France, the country put its foot down when it comes to kids dousing them in ketchup. The Los Angeles Times reported: "In an effort to promote healthful eating and, it has been suggested, to protect traditional Gallic cuisine, the French government has banned school and college cafeterias nationwide from offering the American tomato-based condiment."

November
Choosing your birth date: Hospitals in Massachusetts, New York, Arizona, Texas and California ban elective C-sections and inductions before 39 weeks gestation due to serious health risks.

Dakota Fanning holding a bottle of perfume: The British Ad Council banned this ad suggesting it's borderline pedophilia.


Having eyes: Saudi Arabia's Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice sought the right to ban women from possessing "suggestive" eyes. What are suggestive eyes? According to one Saudi journalist, any woman whose eyes have a "nice shape" could be in deep trouble.

December
Skinny jeans: At Brigham Young University-Idaho, students are getting turned away from their exams on the grounds that their jeans are far too form-fitting.

Happy meals: In San Francisco, fast food joints can no longer bribe kids with toys. (Unless their parents want to spend an extra 10 cents.)

Happy couples: A Kentucky church actually voted to ban interracial marriages and prevent mixed-race couples from becoming members. Can you believe this really happened in the year 2011? Here's to a few more welcome signs in 2012.

Will Ferrell as a over-sized, hyperactive, sugar-devouring Elf just seems all too natural in this movie. While his consumption of sweets makes us ill (spaghetti with chocolate syrup?) we love it when he confuses maple syrup with liquor.

The Ref (1994)
15 years ago, Denis Leary made this film about a dysfunctional Connecticut couple and their bat-shit crazy family, which will definitely make you feel better about your own. It's the funniest he's ever been, but he still gets upstaged by Judy Davis, Christine Baranski and some really mean old lady.

Trading Places (1983)
We could all use a little Wall-Street-revenge fantasy right now! Might as well be hilarious!

Scrooged (1988)
By far one of the best adaptations of the classic Charles Dickens story, featuring Bill Murray as Scrooge. Who doesn't like to see smarmy, evil TV executives learn how to be nice?

Bad Santa (2003)
Billy Bob Thornton does the most twisted version of Santa you've ever seen, complete with a foul-mouthed, criminal midget sidekick. A lot of the funny can be attributed to Thurman, the 8-year-old whose adorable naivete makes bad Santa seem so much worse.

Santa's Slay (2005)
Christmas films that earn top spots on annual lists of Best Holiday Films usually feature some brilliantly-executed synthesis of humor, sentimentality, originally, and tradition--but none of these things are what earned "Santa's Slay" the top stop on UGO's list of Funniest Christmas Movies. No, this nonpareil holiday film instead combines the murder, Satan, and the horror tactics of Santa as played by professional wrestler Bill Golberg. But don't worry--it's all in campy good fun. What's not to like?

A Christmas Story (1983)
Perhaps one of the only films given an annual 24-hour marathon, "A Christmas Story" is still fresh even on hour 20. Did you know they now actually make the leg lamp?

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Gonzo (as Charles Dickens) narrates this Muppet version of "A Christmas Carol," with Michael Cain as Scrooge. It's cruel of him to make Bob Cratchit work on Christmas, but what do you expect from someone who hires a frog as an accountant?

MST3K: Santa Claus Conquers The Martians
The geniuses of Mystery Science Theater 3000 did an episode with great riffs on this terrible/amazing Christmas movie. Watch the MST3K version, or if you can get it, watch the original and observe the ridiculousness for yourself.

Santa Claus The Movie (1985)
Yeah, this movie is awesome. Dudley Moore + evil John Lithgow + a sled that runs on candy canes and hope = unintentionally hilarious. You must rent this-so-bad-it's-fabulous film.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
This holiday comedy classic proves the Griswolds don't need to leave home to have a disastrous time. It has all the quirky mishaps only Chevy Chase could pull off, and like all good Christmas movies, ends with a SWAT team raid!

Christmas In Connecticut (1945)
Arnold Schwarzenneger was so enamored with Christmas In Connecticut that he adapted the 1945 "snowball comedy" into his own film in 1992, but as with any attempt to remake the classics--especially one starring the hilarious Barbara Stanwyck as an impostor food critic--the original is far superior than its successor. Sure, the film lacks the special effects and gross-out gags of newer comedy classics, but the sharp dialogue and screwball scenarios should earn this one a spot among the funniest holiday films.

Jingle All The Way (1996)
This 90s action/Christmas comedy only gets better with time. First of all, any movie starring both now-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and now-nobody Sinbad wins our kitsch-loving hearts. Secondly, Phil Hartman plays a snooty, neighbor's wife-coveting yuppie, which makes us miss him dearly. Third of all, just look at the photo. Just look at it. Now laugh.

Comfort And Joy (1984)
They may not gorge themselves on Thanksgiving food or flatten themselves for sales items on Black Friday, but lets not forget that our friends across the pond have holiday spirit too. If you feel like doing a little celebrating UK-style, make sure to check out "Comfort and Joy," the 1984 comedy directed by Bill Forsyth which follows the Christmas crusades of a DJ just dumped by his girlfriend. Plus there are rival ice cream gangs--enough said.

Home Alone (1990)
The movie that made all 90s children want a TalkBoy for Christmas (now they just want iPads) is still hilarious even 20 years later. From little Macaulay Cullkin's notorious yell to Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern being seemingly impossible to kill (seriously, how many concussions does it take?) there are plenty of genuine and ironic reasons to give this Christmas comedy a re-re-watch.

Brazilian condom company Olla has found a novel way of promoting its product while also scaring the stuffing out of young men: sending them Facebook friend requests from their potential progeny with the tag ”Avoid unexpected surprises like this. Use Olla condoms.”

Take a look at the video below which describes how Olla’s ad agency AGE Isobar created the campaign:



Now there is some debate about whether this is an intelligent tech-savvy approach to getting sexually active young men using condoms, or if it constitutes a violation of privacy (and, indeed, Facebook’s Terms and Conditions).

Indeed one YouTube user commented on the ad page:

That’s not advertising. It's spammish behaviour. No brand shall friend request me, without a life time hatred called upon them.

Others, though, think it’s a good idea:

You should appreciate the creative thinking and take it as humour. It's not spamming.

This isn’t the first time companies have sort to use social media beyond the usual banner ads we have become familiar with. For instance last year KLM Airlines began using passenger’s social networking profiles to tailor special free gifts and has since looked at other unique ways to use social media to engage with customers.

However, Olla condoms seems to be going one further here. It is specifically pushing its product through Facebook in a way that, by its nature, is hard to ignore.

care2.com

A fan of the festive season in Round Rock, Texas has rigged up a series of 25,000 Christmas lights - all set to an interpretation of the theme tune to popular smartphone game Angry Birds.

The impressive minute long display - seen here being tested in advance of Christmas - is set to a cover version of the theme song by artist Pomplamoose, and is just one of a number of musical spectacles arranged by the US household.

Using sequencing software, thousands of lights and many metres of wiring, John Storms is able to rig any song he chooses to the resplendent display.

However, the Angry Birds inspired tune is a slight departure for homeowner Mr Storms who normally lights up Christmas hits.

According to his website, listentoourlights.com, which contains a handy 'how-to' guide for those aspiring to emulate the festive flourish, Mr Storms says he chose the Angry Birds song because of his love for the novelty game.

As well as posting his creations on YouTube, passers-by are able to experience the full effect of Mr Storms yuletide arrangements; the music is transmitted on low-power FM so they can watch and listen from their cars.

Some online viewers are happy to remain just that however, one commentator jokingly remarking: "I would hate living near you".

Vienna, Austria is the new home to the World’s first international applied sex school, which claims to teach its students how to become better lovers.

The “hands on” syllabus will cost students a cool £1,400 per term and will see students living in mixed sex dormitories, where, they are expected to practice their homework. Hmmm, I wonder what type of applied sexuality homework that is!

Ylva-Maria Thompson, Swedish-born headmistress of the college says that their core education is not theoretical, but very practical.

“Sexual positions, caressing techniques, anatomical features. And we teach people hands on,” explains Thompson.

So let’s get this right, you pay to stay in a college where you have sex with other students and maybe even your instructors. This simply sounds like a legitimate orgy house or adults-only sex haven!

Would you enrol?