[Westbrook]

I remember being told not to make the “okay sign” in Russia, because it means “a$$hole” there.

Thumbs up was the acceptable gesture of approbation.
;)

[Bob434]

See my previous post- it was thought to be that here too

[Skybird]

Thumbs up was the acceptable gesture of approbation.
~~~~~~~~
My understanding of that gesture is equivalent to “flipping the bird” in many middle eastern locations.

[Qui is]

“...in Russian...it means a$$hole...”

Very similar to American sign language except the index finger is completely curled and covered by the thumb with the remaining fingers pointing straight up giving a fairly accurate physical representation of a sphincter.