The Head Wobble

It seems there are certain things that are understood that you do and don't do, and its never questioned or talked about because its so naturally woven into everyday existence. I'm talking about simple things. Such as, the head wobble. I was told that it actually means yes. However, based on my observations this is not entirely true. Those of you who are unfamiliar, the head wobble is an intrinsic part of communication in Indian culture. The head is constantly moving about when speaking. I was also told by another, that Indians don't say "no", ever. So the head movement can very well mean "no", but not really.

The best example I can give is this: when I was in the taxi heading to Kodaikanal on my first day in India (fast, crazy driving) and I leaned forward from the back seat asking the driver, "Can you slow down?" He turned his wobbly head back towards me and there it was. No words were spoken, his neck did not move, his eyes did not move, shoulders did not move, just his head bobbing about like it was attached to a loose spring. He did slow down for a few kilometers. So I took this gesture to be a "yes" or an "okay, whatever".

This head wobble never gets old. It continues to intrique me, at the same time entertain me.