Nodding

[funk63]

Why is moving your head up and down the symbol for yes and moving your head from left to right the symbol for no? Did someone come up with that millions of years ago or is it something instilled in our DNA, a genetic trait passed on from before we were capable of talking? For those with children too young to talk, do they instinctively nod in agreement or disagreement? Just some thoughts I had.

[Yetra Flam]

your thoughts are stupid

[Yetra Flam]

i'm sorry that was probably mean.

[Bob]

smh

in rand mcnally they do it backwards

[Dorothy Wood]

I dunno, you should read a book by this guy who studies body language. I forgot his name. but read the book. he was on NPR talking about how even blind people reach up and cover their eyes when something bad happens or seems like it's about to happen.

it's in our DNA yo!

[Yetra Flam]

alan pease

[mate_spawn_die]

and like how everyone knows how the shave and a haircut song goes... even if they don't know what the shave and a haircut song is...

[Loppfessor]

More importantly how come black and mexican people give the "hello" nod by tilting their head up, but white people tilt it down??...

[TurdBerglar]

i tilt it up

[Yetra Flam]

tilting it down seems more respectful.

[adam_f]

And why people think up these thoughts possibly thinking they're profound even though they're clearly retarded.

[instigator7022]

More importantly how come black and mexican people give the "hello" nod by tilting their head up, but white people tilt it down??...


i too, tilt up

[jabumbo]

I dunno, you should read a book by this guy who studies body language. I forgot his name. but read the book. he was on NPR talking about how even blind people reach up and cover their eyes when something bad happens or seems like it's about to happen.

it's in our DNA yo!


you sure its not in our RNA?

[Echewta]

I wonder if I saw some dude who was in a jungle tribe and hadn't seen someone from the outside world and gave him a thumbs up if he would then smile and not shoot me with a poison dart :(

[b-grrrlie]

Actually in some countries it's quite opposite, nodding up and down means no (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nod_(gesture)#Nodding_to_indicate_rejection) and shaking sideways means yes.

Also there's loads of confusion on the V-sign. The right way (thumb folded outwards) it means victory or peace,
but thumb inwards it means fuck you! And this most americans don't know!

Putting your index finger and thumb into a ring (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-ok) can be considered extremely offensive in some countries,
but in scuba diving it's OK...

So you better check the body language before making gestures...

[Guy Incognito]

For those with children too young to talk, do they instinctively nod in agreement or disagreement? Just some thoughts I had.

Gotta say that you ask some really random questions.

I am fairly sure that we taught our daughter how to say yes and no and that meant that we were nodding and shaking our heads. Plus for children too young to talk there aint much point asking any questions so they wouldnt need to instinctively do it.
I'm no behaviour expert though so who knows. Read a book on it.