Nodding "Yes" Like a South Indian.

by jonny.will

5.2K36

Intro: Nodding "Yes" Like a South Indian.

Learn how to nod yes like a south Indian.

STEP 1: Step 1

Bring your head into a neutral position. Balanced evenly on your shoulders.

STEP 2: Step 2

Tilt the top of your head out right while pushing our chin out towards your left.

STEP 3: Step 3

Bring your head back to the neutral position.

STEP 4: Step 4

Tilt the top of your head out left while pushing our chin out towards your right.
This is exactly opposite to step 2.

STEP 5:

Bring your head back to your neutral position.

P.s. Repeat the steps as man times as you want, the more times you repeat it the surer you look, smile if you want to look polite :D

6 Comments

EcoExpatMike 10 years ago

Oh, I work with so many Indians here in Afghanistan. And they say this means "maybe" not yes.

And everyone here calls it "Bobbling." I do it when I am on leave and it freaks out my relatives in the US...

Kozz 13 years ago

Yes! I was discussing the "Indian yes-nod" with a co-worker the other day. It wasn't until I'd had conversations with several men that I determined that what I thought was a rather unsure gesture (meaning "perhaps" or "maybe") was in fact a gesture in the affirmative. Hopefully others read this and it leads to better understanding of each other in conversation!

I must ask, does a South Indian shake their head "no" the way an American might? Additionally, is what you've described as a "South Indian Yes-Nod" peculiar to only the South?

Thanks!

jonny.will 13 years ago

Hahahaha, I didn't really think it would fascinate anyone, never the less, makes you think. We do say no the same way "Americans" say no, that is look left and right or vie versa or well.... ya. As for it being only a south Indian thing, as fas as I know, it is.

AndyGadget 13 years ago

I used to know a Sri Lankan Tamil couple who would use this headshake a lot when at home but not when out and about. It's quite strange when you see it for the first time.
You say you are from Southern India - Tamil Nadu?

jonny.will 13 years ago

Yup I am from south India but from Katakana. I wasn't aware of my head nod till this friend from the states saw me and asked what I was doing with my head if it was a yes or no, so I don't think that we (whoever says yes like this) are really awake of the nod. Maybe someone told the couple, that you know, about their nod and that it was confusing and thats why they don't outside their house. Why do do it inside is don't know cause we aren't really attached to it, at least I'm not, but i sort of like it. I like the mysterious vagueness :D Wait when you say home do you mean Sri Lanka or home as in in their house?
P.s. the guy in the instructable isn't me i just got a friend to pose it for me.