English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

I was just thinking about how people nod when they mean "yes" and shake their head when they mean "no." I've seen this both in English speaking countries and in non-English speaking countries, which makes me think it's not strictly an English thing. I'm just wondering how universal it is. Does everybody everywhere associate nodding with "yes" and shaking back and forth as "no"? If so, that raises some interesting questions--like whether the nod and the shaking are some kind of innate form of communication or if it's learned, and if it's learned, how old it is.

2007-04-26 07:17:41 · 7 answers · asked by Jonathan 7 in Society & Culture Languages

7 answers

No, in some countries it's the opposite way round. In Bulgaria they shake their heads to say yes and nod to say no. It is not just Bulgaria, but I can't think of any examples. I do wonder where the whole thing came from - it feels like a natural inclination to me to nod in the affirmative but obviously it's not so I would love to know what the roots are.

2007-04-26 07:23:11 · answer #1 · answered by Leafy 3 · 0 0

I think its the same in all European countries at least.

But Indians shake their head from side to side for yes. Other non-European cultures have different variations as well. So its definitely not a universal thing.

2007-04-26 14:30:42 · answer #2 · answered by Thalia 7 · 0 0

Well not everyone. When I mean yes I will say yes and nod my head no and when I mean no I will say no and nod my head yes. But from your question I am not saying anything and my head is not moving. I am kind of still letting your question sink in.

2007-04-26 14:26:53 · answer #3 · answered by ME 4 · 0 1

I have been told in India, it is the opposite - nodding means no, shaking from side-to-side is yes.

Just a data point for your reference.

Please see also following link:
http://www.able2know.com/forums/about521.html

2007-04-26 14:23:32 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 0 0

I have seen a lot of people shake their head for "no" & "yes"
Why these people do this, I have no idea!
Maybe, the reason as well as people shake their hands around like their talking with their hands??

2007-04-26 14:38:24 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Tami♥ 5 · 0 1

i beleive in the middle east they are backwards from us they shake for yes and nod for no

2007-04-26 14:58:30 · answer #6 · answered by Honey Badger Doesnt give a Shat 5 · 0 0

wat i know is that in India its the other way around ....

2007-04-26 14:27:13 · answer #7 · answered by k k 72 2 · 0 0

fedest.com, questions and answers