Kiwis discuss hidden meaning of our unique head nods (2024)

Social media users believe they have cracked the meaning of the Kiwi head nod.

A Reddit post stirred discussion this week with a Kiwi user saying a Ukrainian colleague had recently asked the difference between an upward head nod and a downward nod.

"I thought about it, and it struck me that I'll nod downwards to acknowledge strangers or people I know and don't care overly much for, but I'll nod upwards for people I know and like," said the user, who then asks others for their thoughts.

The post has received more than 160 comments and been upvoted more than 700 times.

The general consensus is that nodding down is a formal acknowledgement of a person, while raising your chin is more casual and typically used when the two people are friendly.

"Nod down is a formal, 'I see you, hello' kind of nod. A nod up is a casual, 'dude! How's it going' kind of nod," one user said. "Down is acknowledge, up is 'Sup', up w/ eyebrows is 'SUP CUZ'," said another.

"Apparently the reason we do this, is because the upward nod to friends exposes our throat to them, which shows them that we feel comfortable enough around them to expose our vulnerabilities

"The opposite is true, the downward nod is an acknowledgement but it also subconsciously protects your throat."

Others debated the inclusion of eyebrows in the nod.

"The eyebrows are the most important part! You can do the eyebrows without the nod, but you can't do the nod without the eyebrows," said a poster.

One person was just surprised there was a hidden meaning.

"What the hell?! I have never thought about this for one second, no one has ever instructed me on how nods work but I do the downwards for strangers upwards for friends. How the heck does that work?"

The post also stoked discussion about other mannerisms and gestures.

"The other great one that maybe even urban Kiwis don't know about --- the rural raised-index-finger-on-the-steering-wheel acknowledgement wave when cars approach each other in the countryside," said someone on Reddit.

"It's a way of telling if you're from the city or not. If the one-finger-wave doesn't get reciprocated - you're not from 'around here'. Or at least, you don't understand rural culture."

Newshub.

Kiwis discuss hidden meaning of our unique head nods (2024)

FAQs

Kiwis discuss hidden meaning of our unique head nods? ›

"Down is acknowledge, up is 'Sup', up w/ eyebrows is 'SUP CUZ'," said another. "Apparently the reason we do this, is because the upward nod to friends exposes our throat to them, which shows them that we feel comfortable enough around them to expose our vulnerabilities.

What do different head nods mean? ›

In the simplest terms, an upward nod means a casual “hey” or “what's up”. Downward means “Hello, I see that you exist, but we aren't cool enough for anything more than that”. An unspoken rule about the nod is that it is rarely followed by any verbal exchange.

What does it mean when your head nods? ›

If you nod, you move your head downwards and upwards to show that you are answering 'yes' to a question, or to show agreement, understanding, or approval.

What is the meaning of nod your head? ›

1. a : to move your head up and down as a way of answering “yes” or of showing agreement, understanding, or approval. [no object]

What does the nodding head gesture mean? ›

A nod of the head is a gesture in which the head is tilted in alternating up and down arcs along the sagittal plane. In many cultures, it is most commonly, but not universally, used to indicate agreement, acceptance, or acknowledgement.

What does nodding your head mean in different cultures? ›

However, whereas in US culture, vertical head movement denotes positivity (nodding to say "yes") and horizontal head movement is associated with negativity (shaking heads to say "no"), in Bulgaria, this response pattern is reversed, that is, horizontal head movement means "yes" and vertical head movement means "no." ...

What are the different meanings of nod? ›

to make a slight, quick downward bending forward of the head, as in assent, greeting, or command. to let the head fall slightly forward with a sudden, involuntary movement when sleepy. to doze, especially in a sitting position: The speaker was so boring that half the audience was nodding. Synonyms: drowse.

What does a head nod mean from a girl? ›

Many women nod more frequently than men. When men nod, it usually means that they agree with what is being said. This could be true of a woman as well, although a head nod might also mean that they are listening or encouraging you to continue speaking.

What does it mean when a guy nods at a woman? ›

In your case, he's saying, “sup dude” or just a simple gesture of hello. What does it mean when a guy gives you a nod? It's simply an acknowledgment of your being seen, and quite polite.

What does a sideways head nod mean? ›

The motion usually consists of a side-to-side tilting of the head in arcs along the coronal plane. A form of nonverbal communication, it may mean yes, good, maybe, okay, or I understand, depending on the context.

What is the spiritual meaning of nod? ›

Nod, nod (Heb.)-- staggering with fear; agitated with apprehension; raving with fright; wandering with uncertainty; agitated flight; banishment; exile. The land on the east of Eden, or in front of Eden, where Cain went out from the presence of Jehovah and dwelt, after he had killed Abel (Gen. 4:16).

What is the biblical meaning of nod? ›

"Nod" ( נוד‎) is the Hebrew root of the verb "to wander" ( לנדוד‎). Therefore, to dwell in the land of Nod can mean to live a wandering life. Gesenius defines ( נוּד‎) as follows: TO BE MOVED, TO BE AGITATED (Arab. ناد Med.

What does nods stand for? ›

Night Observation Device or night vision device.

What does nodding mean in psychology? ›

A nod or shake of a person's head can signal approval or disapproval to others. But those same head movements may be influencing a person's own thoughts as well, according to new research. Previously, psychologists believed that just as smiling can make a person feel happy, nodding could encourage positive thoughts.

Why is head nodding important? ›

Nonverbal communication includes head nodding, eye contact, leaning forward, and body orientation. In particular, head nodding plays an important role in regulating an interaction, signalling who is to take a turn or whether or not someone is interested in and attending to a particular item.

What does nodding mean in America? ›

nod in American English

1. to bend the head forward slightly and raise it again quickly, as a sign of greeting, command, acknowledgment, invitation, or, specif., of agreement or assent.

What are the different types of nods? ›

For instance, it is shown that nods can be classified into two types based on the direction of the initial movement, up-nods and down-nods.

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