Greetings indians!
I have noticed this on many occassions but indians bop there heads a lot when they speak. Why do you do it?
Full Version: Indians and head bopping
and why do Japaneses people always bow or nod every time they say hai! and why do Italians talk with their hands and why do Russians talk like their arguing
QUOTE(-=(-_-)=- HI-hit @ Jun 12 2008, 11:26 AM) 
and why do Japaneses people always bow or nod every time they say hai! and why do Italians talk with their hands and why do Russians talk like their arguing
japanese bows as a sign of respect, italians talk with their hands because they're deaf and making up with sign language, lastly, the russian talk like the'yr arguing because they are getting deaf and had to shout which has happened to the italians before so you can count on it, the russians will talk with their hands also later on.
now, answer the question...why do indians bop their heads when talking?
QUOTE(Pogpog @ Jun 12 2008, 02:34 AM)
japanese bows as a sign of respect, italians talk with their hands because they're deaf and making up with sign language, lastly, the russian talk like the'yr arguing because they are getting deaf and had to shout which has happened to the italians before so you can count on it, the russians will talk with their hands also later on.
now, answer the question...why do indians bop their heads when talking?
now, answer the question...why do indians bop their heads when talking?
ExACTLY
QUOTE(TheORC @ Jun 12 2008, 10:21 AM)
ExACTLY
It's a cultural thing. It takes practice. It's good!
...ooo...
If you need to know, I'll dig the text out of that Shantaram book to explain the meaning tomorrow.
Habit.
No discovery pleased me more, on that first excursion from the city, than the full translation of the famous Indian head-wiggle. The weeks I'd spent in Bombay with Prabaker had taught me that the shaking of the head from side to side - that most characteristic of Indian expressive gestures - was the equivalent of a forward nod of the head, meaning Yes. I'd also discerned the subtler senses of I agree with you, and Yes, I would like that. What I learned, on the train, was that a universal message attached to the gesture, when it was used as a greeting, which made it uniquely useful.
Most of those who entered the open carriage greeted the other seated or standing men with a little wiggle of the head. The gesture always drew a reciprocal wag of the head from at least one, and sometimes several of the passengers. I watched it happen at station after station, knowiong that the newcomers couldn't be indicating Yes, or I agree with you, with the head-wiggle because nothing had been said, and there was no exchange other than the gesture itself. Gradually, I realised that the wiggle of the head was a signal to others that carried an amiable and disarming message: I'm a peaceful man. I don't mean any harm.
Moved by admiration and no small envy for the marvellous gesture, I resolved to try it myself. The train stopped at a small rural station. A stranger joined our group in the carriage. When our eyes met for the first time, I gave the little wiggle of my head, and a smile. The result was astounding. The man beamed a smile at me so huge that it was half the brilliance of Prabaker's own, and set to such energetic head waggling in return that I was, at first, a little alarmed. By journey's end, however, I'd had enough practice to perform the movement as casually as others in the carriage did, and to convey the gentle message of the gesture. It was the first truly Indian expression my body learned, and it was the beginning of a transformation that has ruled my life, in all the long years since that journey of crowded hearts.
Gregory David Roberts, Shantaram, pp. 106-107.
QUOTE(Pogpog @ Jun 12 2008, 05:34 PM)
japanese bows as a sign of respect, italians talk with their hands because they're deaf and making up with sign language, lastly, the russian talk like the'yr arguing because they are getting deaf and had to shout which has happened to the italians before so you can count on it, the russians will talk with their hands also later on.
now, answer the question...why do indians bop their heads when talking?
now, answer the question...why do indians bop their heads when talking?
i knew some idiot was gonna reply to me
well i think its maybe its our nod when ever my cousin is agreeing or saying yes she shakes her head instead-but i think maybe thats just her, i recon it's just the language cus i don't think Indians do it when their talking in English (if they do I've never seen it)i just its just a musical language maybe this guys to blame lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5ky5ClIjL8
QUOTE(SeanMoran @ Jun 13 2008, 10:58 AM)
No discovery pleased me more, on that first excursion from the city, than the full translation of the famous Indian head-wiggle. The weeks I'd spent in Bombay with Prabaker had taught me that the shaking of the head from side to side - that most characteristic of Indian expressive gestures - was the equivalent of a forward nod of the head, meaning Yes. I'd also discerned the subtler senses of I agree with you, and Yes, I would like that. What I learned, on the train, was that a universal message attached to the gesture, when it was used as a greeting, which made it uniquely useful.
Most of those who entered the open carriage greeted the other seated or standing men with a little wiggle of the head. The gesture always drew a reciprocal wag of the head from at least one, and sometimes several of the passengers. I watched it happen at station after station, knowiong that the newcomers couldn't be indicating Yes, or I agree with you, with the head-wiggle because nothing had been said, and there was no exchange other than the gesture itself. Gradually, I realised that the wiggle of the head was a signal to others that carried an amiable and disarming message: I'm a peaceful man. I don't mean any harm.
Moved by admiration and no small envy for the marvellous gesture, I resolved to try it myself. The train stopped at a small rural station. A stranger joined our group in the carriage. When our eyes met for the first time, I gave the little wiggle of my head, and a smile. The result was astounding. The man beamed a smile at me so huge that it was half the brilliance of Prabaker's own, and set to such energetic head waggling in return that I was, at first, a little alarmed. By journey's end, however, I'd had enough practice to perform the movement as casually as others in the carriage did, and to convey the gentle message of the gesture. It was the first truly Indian expression my body learned, and it was the beginning of a transformation that has ruled my life, in all the long years since that journey of crowded hearts.
Gregory David Roberts, Shantaram, pp. 106-107.
oh i didn't read that cool
QUOTE(-=(-_-)=- HI-hit @ Jun 13 2008, 02:23 AM)
oh i didn't read that cool
Why not try reading again then?
no i meant i posted first then i saw it, i've red it
QUOTE(-=(-_-)=- HI-hit @ Jun 13 2008, 02:54 AM)
no i meant i posted first then i saw it, i've read it
Kao jai! Now I get it. I hope it explains a little about the gesture, although people born in India might be able to elaborate further on Roberts' understanding too. Took me two goes and 30 minutes to type the thing out anyway, so I hope it's worth reading.
QUOTE(-=(-_-)=- HI-hit @ Jun 12 2008, 08:20 PM)
well i think its maybe its our nod when ever my cousin is agreeing or saying yes she shakes her head instead-but i think maybe thats just her, i recon it's just the language cus i don't think Indians do it when their talking in English http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5ky5ClIjL8
No Indians bop there heads when they speak english too and there eyes go googily and they say things like 'tell me one thing' or 'gee golly gosh'. Why do they do that?
QUOTE(TheORC @ Jun 12 2008, 09:37 PM)
No Indians bop there heads when they speak english too and there eyes go googily and they say things like 'tell me one thing' or 'gee golly gosh'. Why do they do that?
Why not just ask them directly?
QUOTE(TheORC @ Jun 11 2008, 11:54 PM)
Greetings indians!
I have noticed this on many occassions but indians bop there heads a lot when they speak. Why do you do it?
I have noticed this on many occassions but indians bop there heads a lot when they speak. Why do you do it?
I always wondered that as well
that's funny,cause i neva pay no mind.
QUOTE(iyahcure @ Jun 13 2008, 08:26 PM)
that's funny,cause i neva pay no mind.
my guy really luvs to bop he's head, he is so cute, but really need to cut that out.
Sooo unprofessional
QUOTE(Tenjikuronin @ Jun 13 2008, 01:08 PM)
Why not just ask them directly?
Because there strange ways scare me.
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