"The hitchhiker's method of signaling to drivers differs around the world. In the U.S.and UK, one would point his or her thumb up, while in some places in South America one displays to an oncoming car the back of her hand with the index finger pointing up. In Poland, the hand is held flat, and waved. In India, the hand is waved with the palm facing downwards (or the U.S./UK way). In Israel the hitchhiking signal is similar, often pointing downwards."