A man nod between two men that shows acknowledgement, and respect. An upwards nod is for friends and family. A downward nod is for people you don’t know or don’t know well.
by Thot slayer dio April 19, 2019
I often nod off in class.
The speech was so boring that several people in the audience nodded off before it was finished.
The speech was so boring that several people in the audience nodded off before it was finished.
by oliverbr May 16, 2006
A nod between two foreigners (jp. gaikokujin, short: gaijin), who randomly pass each other on the street in Japan. Although they don't know each other, their common feeling of being an alien in Japan triggers the mutual need of performing the nod with the subcontext "You are not alone!" or "Yes, I think everything is strange here, too."
While commonly performed by foreigners who just arrived in Japan or who havn't been there for a long time, foreigners who have stayed in the country for a longer amount of time and have already immersed into the culture, might feel offended or annoyed by receiving the nod. Their stiff reaction on the other hand might be understood as "Dude, I have been here for some time now. Nothing is really special to me anymore." or "Please, don't embarrass me and yourself."
While the gaijin nod has become rare in urban areas with lots of foreigners, it is more likely to be observed and experienced in rural areas or suburbs.
Various discussions evolved around the question, whether it is appropriate to perform the gaijin nod or not. While some mark it as unnecessary and unnatural, others are convinced that it certainly does not hurt to share a smile on the street.
While commonly performed by foreigners who just arrived in Japan or who havn't been there for a long time, foreigners who have stayed in the country for a longer amount of time and have already immersed into the culture, might feel offended or annoyed by receiving the nod. Their stiff reaction on the other hand might be understood as "Dude, I have been here for some time now. Nothing is really special to me anymore." or "Please, don't embarrass me and yourself."
While the gaijin nod has become rare in urban areas with lots of foreigners, it is more likely to be observed and experienced in rural areas or suburbs.
Various discussions evolved around the question, whether it is appropriate to perform the gaijin nod or not. While some mark it as unnecessary and unnatural, others are convinced that it certainly does not hurt to share a smile on the street.
Gaijin 1: I experience a strong sense of comradeship, whenever I receive the gaijin nod on the street.
Gaijin 2: Everytime I receive the gaijin nod, it feels like I don't belong here.
Gaijin 2: Everytime I receive the gaijin nod, it feels like I don't belong here.
by copythat24 January 18, 2011
by notquitepatrick May 7, 2014
by K_Dawg_23 April 1, 2010
Get the smile and nod mug.
The all fabled "nod of acknowledgement is an interesting phenomenon. It is, put simply a slight head nod exchanged between males. While its use is documented among females, it is a rare and condition specific phenomenon. While exchanged between friends who, for whatever reason may not want to acknowledge each other verbally, in some places of the world, it is a common greeting among strangers. For example, in the southern United States, it is very common to offer a head nod to another male as you pass each other or get caught glancing at each other. However, as you travel further north, the head nod disappears among unfamiliars. While taking a stroll in NYC, you'd be hard pressed to get any unfamiliar male to return a nod of acknowledgement while simply walking down the street.
Gary and his girlfriend step into the crowded living room, the party in full swing. They notice Tim and his girlfriend. Gary and Tim exchange a nod of acknowledgement across the loud and crowded room, and then return to scanning the party. The two girlfriends do something along the lines of squealing or waving or running to each other and immediately compliment each other's shoes.
2. Dale walks down the street. He passes some guy, and they exchange a nod of acknowledgement.
3. As Lars stands in line at the hardware store scoping out the others waiting in line, he inadvertently catches the eye of Sven, two isles over. They simply exchange a nod of acknowledgement and look away.
2. Dale walks down the street. He passes some guy, and they exchange a nod of acknowledgement.
3. As Lars stands in line at the hardware store scoping out the others waiting in line, he inadvertently catches the eye of Sven, two isles over. They simply exchange a nod of acknowledgement and look away.
by Count Samula October 19, 2005