Since I have never been out of the states, I was curious about this subject.
Earlier today, walking downtown...I passed a gentlemen and did the "head nod" which in my mind is a symbol for hello, how's it goin, whats up, etc. Is this a universal symbol for a informal greeting? This is somewhat of an international forum and I was curious to hear other peoples take on the subject. Please discuss
Edit : was going to add a poll, but apparently I am a tard and don't know how...if its even possible
I live in Israel and I do that too.
I do it also. If it's someone I know, I do the head nod upward. If I don't know them, do it downward (like a little bow). (I live in United States of America for your records).
I do it also. If it's someone I know, I do the head nod upward. If I don't know them, do it downward (like a little bow). (I live in United States of America for your records).
That is the same why I differentiate the two. The downward head nod seems more formal, imo.
I agree with you about the formality. I don't view this as sexist or anything, but I mostly use head nods--upward or downward--with men, not women.
-NC
Gotta throw something else into the mix when giving the femmes the nod... So are these mostly comments coming from the States, I am assuming so.
Gotta throw something else into the mix when giving the femmes the nod... So are these mostly comments coming from the States, I am assuming so.
I do. Always the formal kind, even if I know them,
Edit: No, I remember doing upwards if we are buddies.
To clarify:
I usually give females some kind of smile (no sly remarks!).
For buddies I know, it's an upward nod of recognition if I spot them across the room at a social event or something.
For guys I don't know, I usually dip my head.
I think I'm overanalyzing this, but it's an interesting question 
.
-NC
P.S: Yes, I'm saying this from the States.
here's something else that's universal: the eyebrow raise when you see someone, especially someone you know. goes rather nicely with the nod.
A nod is some kind of hello here aswell, but more a kind of yes. If I'm not mistaken, almost all over the world, yes and no have the same head movement... except Bulgaria, where is exactly the opposite !
We do the same in Sweden, at least in trollhättan...
in greece side to side means yes and im pretty sure up and down means nothing...
How about the Indian movement wherein the head tilts to either side?
Gets many people confused abroad
But yeah, even in India the upward nod (or raising and dropping both eyebrows) is for someone you know, while a slight nod is more respectful to elders/someone you don't know well.
im in OZ (Australia) and yeah its a greeting I guess...
but its not so much of a 'hello' so much as just a sign of respect (no im not talking about bowing), like acknowledging someone you know without saying hello like saying "good day to you" (Ozzy version=G'day)...
quite simply "Hello" is too formal and it encourages conversation, we use the nod to say 'Hi' and be polite but also to avoid starting conversation with someone we may not know so well or may not feel like talking to.
i nod my head..
How about the Indian movement wherein the head tilts to either side?Gets many people confused abroad
But yeah, even in India the upward nod (or raising and dropping both eyebrows) is for someone you know, while a slight nod is more respectful to elders/someone you don't know well.
Yeh i always thought the side to side thing sort of meant okay, or go ahead, or thats fine. Btw i was born in England but my families roots are in India and i rarely visit as well.
Not an India->South Africa->UK Indian? That's not too common.
I was in Loughborough for a year in 2003-04.
its more India->Kenya/Uganda->UK Indian isnt it.
I've always nodded my head instead of raising my hand to say hey to someone, then again most kids did that in school so kinda grew on me.
I've always nodded my head instead of raising my hand to say hey to someone, then again most kids did that in school so kinda grew on me.
ya same here, but i do raise my hand to certain friends
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