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Latest revision as of 18:13, 5 September 2021
The head bobble, or Indian head shake refers to a common gesture found in South Asian cultures, most notably in India. The motion usually consists of a side-to-side tilting of the head in arcs along the coronal plane.[1] A form of nonverbal communication, it may mean yes, good, maybe, ok, or I understand, depending on the context.[2][3]
Usage
In India, a head bobble can have a variety of different meanings. Most frequently it means yes, or is used to indicate understanding. The meaning of the head bobble depends on the context of the conversation or encounter. It can serve as an alternative to thank you, as a polite introduction, or it can represent acknowledgement.[3]
Head bobbles can also be used in an intentionally vague manner. An unenthusiastic head bobble can be a polite way of declining something without saying no directly.[3]
The gesture is common throughout India. However, it is used more frequently in South India and Sri Lanka.[4][5]
See also
References
- ↑ How to Tilt Your Head Like an Indian. World Hum(30 Jan 2006).
- ↑ Trying Really Hard To Like India. Slate(27 Sep 2004).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 What is the Meaning of the Indian Head Wobble?. TripSavvy(9 Apr 2020). Retrieved 2019-12-09.
- ↑ Speaking of India: Bridging the communication gap when working with Indians. Intercultural Press.
- ↑ Successful Communication in Multicultural Environments. Intercultural Focus.