It's essentially the equivalent of the middle finger, which is why you should keep your thumbs safely tucked away if you aren't sure about the custom.
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.
Body Language
Russians stand close when talking. Putting your thumb through your index and middle fingers or making the "OK" sign are considered very rude gestures in Russia.
Iran: Thumbs-up
“Unfortunately, in Iran and neighboring countries like Afghanistan, the thumbs-up is equivalent to the middle finger!” explains Dana Hooshmand, an author for Discover Discomfort, a language- and culture learning resource. In America, the middle finger is the profane one; in Iran, it's the thumb.
Fourth, фига is the word for the hand gesture of a thumb between the index and middle fingers, which, depending on the nation, time period and speaker, represents the female genitalia, male genitalia or the act of copulation. The gesture is also called кукиш in Russian.
Flash someone a well-meaning "thumbs up" sign in Russia, and they'll interpret it as a vulgar insult. Rude Hand Gestures of the World: A Guide to Offending without Words, a new title from Chronicle Books, delves into the varied interpretations of hand signals around the planet.
Russian etiquette: greetings
Close male friends hug and pat each other's back. In short, when meeting a Russian for the first time, male or female, good etiquette is shaking hands firmly while retaining eye contact. Looking away is rude and shows indifference. Men should wait for a woman to offer her hand first.
10: The Middle Finger
The middle finger is probably the most obscene gesture in the U.S. The most offensive gesture in America is flipping someone off.
Ukrainian people use gestures often as they talk; for example, 'thumbs up' conveys approval or support. Point with the entire hand; using one finger may be perceived as rude. Making a fist with the thumb between the index and middle fingers is considered offensive.
In some cultures, including Australia, Greece, and the Middle East, the thumbs-up gesture can be considered obscene, equivalent to “Up yours!”
If your left hand itches, you're going to give someone money. If you have the hiccups, someone is remembering you at this moment. If an eyelash falls out you'll receive a gift. If someone finds an eyelash on someone they will sometimes let the person blow it away and make a wish.
Eye Contact: Making eye contact is a show of respect in Russian culture and is highly valued. When conversing to someone, it is considered polite to keep eye contact and direct your look at the other person.
Zoomers perceive the thumbs-up emoji as a hostile gesture because overuse of a positive tends to lead to insincerity, which becomes a negative.
Though many western countries recognize a "thumbs up" gesture as an affirmative sign or sign of approval, in Australia it is considered a rude gesture having a meaning similar to that of a raised middle finger.
The thumbs up emoji usually just means “OK.”
The person you're texting is giving you their approval, so take it and leave it! Their ? is most likely a good sign and they are just agreeing with what you're saying.
Thumbs up. Outside of the few countries where it is an offensive gesture, the thumbs up for OK sign has become almost universally understood worldwide. It is fairly commonly used in the UK, but there can still seem to be something American about using it.
Blowing one's nose in public is considered bad manners. It is impolite to yawn during conversations with others, or in public without covering your mouth. Throwing away food or wasting food is frowned upon, especially bread.
The fig sign is a mildly obscene gesture used at least since the Roman Age in Italy, Southern Europe, parts of the Mediterranean region, including in Turkish culture, and has also been adopted by Slavic cultures and South Africa. The gesture uses a thumb wedged in between two fingers.
Obscene Gestures: Raising one's middle finger or making the 'V' sign with one's palm facing oneself is considered very rude in Australia.
China. Extending the middle finger is a rude gesture in China. The Chinese see it as a sign of boredom and disrespect because they use one finger when pointing at animals.
'Middle Finger', also known as 'The Finger' is construed as a 'universal sign of disrespect'.
Ты дурак/дура (Ty durak/dura)
You can use this one while talking to somebody who has disappointed or annoyed you. Here are some Russian angry phrases with similar meanings: Ты невыносим(а) (Ty nevynosim[a]) — “You're impossible.” Ты глуп(а) (Ty glup[a]) — “You're silly.”
Gentle and romantic
When a woman awards her beloved one with affection the man becomes caring and gentle, gives flowers and presents to his darling. Russian men feel shy about their weaknesses and rarely open their heart before strangers. However they stay open to their wives and are able to address any concern.
RUSSIAN GREETINGS
Russian usually shake hands when greeting one another. The famous bear hugs and kisses are usually reserved for good friends and family members after a long time without seeing one another. Russian men usually shake hands with a firm grip. When men and women shakes hands men adopt a gentle grip.