A full explanation of the Indian Nod and its varied meanings. Cinematography : Chaitanya Vikas Narration : Lux Illustration Fellows : Krishnakanth, Barry, Sandhya, Skeletor
My neighbour is Indian, his family nod their heads during conversations. Initially, I was concerned, confused and felt uncomfortable but now, l am used to their wobbling heads, I understand their meaning well. This is a brilliant video.
As an Indian person here, I would like to say that no one even taught us these nods. Like, no one even told us that " high brow and faster nod = more fine, so practise it " It's just happens unconsciously in India, that you slowly adapt to it. Like, a reflex action. You don't need to think even before doing it. Ikr? It is Verrrryyy (nods with high brow) interesting
I am Afghan & I always knew what Indians meant by different types of nods. There's also a Pakistani/Punjabi nod that only goes on one side. Like a half wobble
Ya it’s the same with any body language. Of course no one taught them But since it is a cultural thing people who don’t live there and aren’t exposed to it have to be taught
Are you sure? I doubt that! I worked at Target in Seattle metro in the center of techville and many Indian people, men and women, would do the head bob. It's the kids that don't do it.
It actually depends upon the context..... We use head gesture for go away., come here, enjoy it, carry on, yes, no,maybe, is it so?, Sure, no way, got it, etc etc.
Actually these expressions can not be learner by anyone. These expressions have a lot of meanings. The meaning can change with the changes in eyes, eyebrows, speed of the head and even changes in the shapes of lips. These expressions can only be understood by living with Indians. These expressions are actually very useful, you can answer and even question someone without even speaking!
@@ahanasingh7049 thank God Indian isn't for me. the accent is horrible. whenever I hear it, it gives me a headache, and that's not just me here in the UK/US everybody hates it
@@byanymeansnecessary398 as an india , I could say that scenario will be least of the chances .........they will be just more of surprised ' like what's wrong with you mate ?'
It's not always easy to ask what the expressions of other cultures mean without worrying about sounding critical or feeling silly. Thank you for making this video!
So I worked for an Indian restaurant, doing social media branding and guest relations and I ALWAYS wondered about this 😂😂😂 Usually when I asked if they liked the food or needed anything they'd respond with a medium speed head bobble and a slight smile/smirk. Good to know there are levels to this 😂😂😂
My American linguistics teacher spoke about this while studying over seas. He worked with a group of Indians for several months and before he knew it, his natural mannerisms adopted the nod. This video reminded me of him. Thank you for providing it!
I love Indian Food, so when my Indian friends invited me for cooking like hare krsna food yes they do like that and I never knew why do they move their heads like that, thanks for the explaining now I understand more.
Ask them about their feelings on pda and what they think the punishment for it should be. I've had Indians tell me that they believe in executing people who kiss in public places.
Very helpful! As someone who works and has Indian as clients, I was so confused when they would do this sort of thing. I always felt like they were shaking no or didnt like what I said. Now I understand why when I have someone from the country does this in front of me!
Thanks for the explanation - when I was working in India a few years ago I instinctively understood the meaning even without explanation and I began reciprocating subconsciously! Cheers! ; )
Lmfao!!!!! I'm from a small town in the south east of the United States. I actually went to an international university in the area and met many people from around the world. I'd see some do this but I am happy to finally understand the complexity of it now.
I remember my Dad being thoroughly confused by this nod which he insisted meant yes ... but could mean no. And often meant waffling about an answer either way. I was married to a Punjabi and unconsciously adopted that nod, which has followed me for over forty years. I still “wiggle my neck without thinking. On a Canadian senior, i can understand the confusion that nod provokes.🤗
Dangal brought me here as I found the girls' Indian nod really adorable! They looked like little dolls when they were bobbing their heads left and right (and probably a little front and back too?). ^^
My coworkers and I observed this phenomenon often while working at an international airport. Based on the times I've seen it, is it possible that it also can be used to mean, "I am paying attention and follow what you're saying, though I do not necessarily agree"?
I actually knew a lot of this despite never being outside Australia... that being said I am not American so I am sure it will be very informative and this was absolutely hilarious! :)
Thank you thank you for explaining this. I work for a school district in California (kindergarten) and I have come across this nod so many times but never understood If the child was understanding me or not. LOL I was the one clearly not understanding.
Arriving at this video, is what happened when I started looking online for "Indian dance hands meanings" and start to wander off the beaten track. Thankfully it was a light, happy place and so I "Thank you" for sharing and making me smile.
I used to work at Subway and every time I asked if they wanted a certain veggie they would nod their head, omg! it would get annoying, I'm like is that a yes or no
Awesome. I was in a commercial kitchen training a kitchen porter and he did what I now know to be reasonable agreement but at the time I had absolutely no clue what was going on! Excellent and comical video. Thanks.
Kishore G. I don’t give a fuck about Europe either, so your argument is invalid. Don’t see Europe having a culture that revolves around shitting on every inch of public sidewalk though. Nasty fuckers.
It is like every one speaks English, and they speak indian. nobody understand what the indians mean and found it weird. And sometimes I mistakenly think it is a “no”
This is so 😅!! I love the "nod". .and although this is in jest..its also quite true I believe !!! It's also contagious as i find myself using "the nod" and feel its more specific than a run of the mill American nod without having to use so many words! ! Thank you India! !!!
It actually depends upon the context..... We use head gesture for go away., come here, enjoy it, carry on, yes, no,maybe, is it so?, Sure, no way, got it, etc etc.
First time in my life, while on the phone with a politically emphatic friend, I found myself, a very much Caucasian white male, not entirely typical but certainly a child of the West, doing the Indian head nod! Slow, and long with very broad smooth motions ( I have a flexible neck). It was me trying to say to my friend, while helplessly knowing he wouldn’t get it no cmatter what I did, “Yes, but it’s vastly more complex than that, and we can only respond to/within it, not change this eternal state of affairs.” The gesture is actually a very natural and truly articulate expression of a particular attitude/comprehension. It’s a wiggle of uncertainty, which seems deeply existential to me, combined with “…butI must communicate my yes or no or maybe to you anyway!” Makes sense in a place where political structures render everyone so vulnerable to Fate/Caste/Karma/the Gods/destiny.
So basically - it's like the indian nod is visual signaler that indicates the level of excitement of a person. And then the facial expressions indicate the direction of that excitement aka: in agreement / disagreement / undecidedness? I like the video, thanks for making it you fun people! :)
Sounds just about right Stefan. If you saw the silhouette of someone doing the Indian nod, there would be no way to say what the person intends. Perhaps they're just dancing. :)
This can be major reason why many Indian nods. And people usually nods when someone talks to them in English. Listener gets frightened for responding as most Indians aren't fluent or even don't know language. So hundreds of thoughts gather in brain for next sentence and in flow person shakes his head. And it may develop anxiety aswell
Excellent explanation that deciphered the wonder I had towards Indian head nod! On a related note, I have always suspected the connection to excitement before watching this.
