Yesterday’s daily survival tip on my desktop calendar says you should avoid making the A-okay sign internationally. The gesture is made by touching the tips of your thumb and index finger to form a circle with the rest of the fingers fanned out and pointing up. In the US it just means okay, but according to the calendar, it does not have the same meaning in other countries.

• In Brazil, Germany and Russia the signal is an insult, indicating a very private orifice.
• In Japan the sign indicates that you want change in coins from a cashier.
• In France it conveys the concept of being worthless. When placed over the nose it means drunk.