The way many Indians and nod their head is often described as the ‘Indian head wobble’ or ‘Indian head bobble’. If you live outside India, it is not a widely understood body gesture.
What is Indian head wobbling?
For those who are not familiar with the term, the head wobbling is a motion that is somewhere in between the up-and-down nod, and the sideways head shaking. So, it is somewhat rotational motion of the head – a light head shake combined with a head roll.
What does it mean?
Does it mean yes, or does it mean no?
Simply put, it means ‘yes’, but is it really that hard to understand??
Well, for those who are not exposed to Indian culture and desi body language, it is a confusing response.
The meaning of the Indian head wobble is a mystery to many Americans and Europeans, or those who are not used to this common head gesture in India. To a foreigner, the gesture is even more confusing when made silently, without speaking a single word.
As most of you know, in general, it means affirmation as a listener. The motion implies agreement on opinion or topic of conversation. It is equivalent of up-and-down nodding, but most of the time with more empathy. In general, this motion means something like:
“Yes, I agree with you!”
“Yes, I understand what you mean!”
“Yes, I understand how you feel!”
“Yes, I get your viewpoint!” and so on…
Long and short head wobbles:
A longer head wobble means better understanding or more in agreement. Yes it is that simple. A quick wobble means or a simple yes or general agreement. However, if the head wobble goes on for a few extra rotations, the listener REALLY understands you. The head wobble may often accompany a smile – to show warmth and friendliness.
It is an affirmative yes, but there is no element of surprise. It does not mean something like – Oh, Yes!!!
And, it definitely not means ‘NO’!! 
Nod – A more suitable alternative abroad:
You may not be aware of the fact that you wobble your head, unless someone points it out to you. If you are more often asked to clarify your response, chances are you may be proudly carrying on your Indian habit. You may also want to consider this possibility if you are regularly asked something like: “You mean yes or no?” or “Is that a yes?”
Outside India, a simple up-and-down nod is a more universally understood gesture to convey agreement. So, a conscious effort to switch to a simple nod is more in-line with international body language for saying ‘yes’.
In some social circles abroad, many foreigners are catching on to the head wobbling phenomenon. So, it may be contagious, because the motion is quite symmetrical and not as boring as a simple nod!
However, as a general rule abroad, avoid the habit of head wobble, and stick to the simple up-and-down nod instead.
#1 by Jennifer on February 16, 2010 - 8:47 AM
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Great post. Interesting to think about one’s own habit and analyse it!
I have two more thoughts as an American who lived in India and realized I was doing this after some Americans came to visit (6 months into my stay) and asked me, ‘How did you do THAT!’
1. I think the wobble also means, “Ok, I am listening, tell me more…” If the wobble stops and the wobbler doesn’t say much with the wobble…like, I am listening, but I need more clarification. (All done in context, of course..)
2. When I was caught wobbling by the Americans I was doing it because I came in late to the hostel and was being ‘scolded’ by my hostel warden. I was saying ‘Yes, ma’am’ continuously while wobbling my head. It was in deference, apology and kind of ‘saving face’ in a way- feeling embarrassed to be in trouble and wondering how to ‘butter her up’ to not get in more trouble! Interestingly, I was doing the wobble then out of pure habit, not really thinking of why! Only now I am analysing it.
#2 by Niharika on February 17, 2010 - 8:21 AM
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Ok, I dint know that the head wobble is confusing to Americans.. Thanks.. it helped me understand more about American culture
#3 by RatnaM on March 8, 2010 - 11:48 AM
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what is wromh with head wobble? it is a good exercise for neck!!!
Who cares if the gora folks take it yes or no, i meant both. lol
#4 by Jason on June 1, 2010 - 9:43 PM
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American, never visited India.
Just today, experienced a situation with someone who had moved from India whom had a very little grasp of English.
I have been around people from India (university and through work situations), but many have been here a while or have been westernized back home. Today was the 1st time I had witnessed the “head wobble” as a form of communication.
Always, people from India seem to be more gesture and enthusiastic in conversation, (i study and have visited Italy and am familiar with gestures), much more so than native-English speakers (we’re very bland in that regard).
I am so glad I found this post, I’ve been wondering all day if how I interpreted this gesture was correct. In western context, up and down means “yes”, while left to right means “no”. What she was doing was very circular, almost to be interpreted as a joke “yes-no”, a westerner would play on a friend.
Thank you for putting this into relevant context!!