Topic started by Raveenraj (Singapore) (@ bbcache-8.singnet.com.sg) on Sat Sep 20 08:42:58 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Why do Indians and Pakistanis shake their heads unnecessarily when they talk? This question has been posed to me by my Chinese and Malay friends and I am stumped for an answer. A point to note is that Singapore and Malaysian Indians do not have this habit.

Responses:

• From: urme (@ mobileinternet.plus.com) on: Sat Sep 20 08:58:05 EDT 2003
  
  I find this very very funny :) :) :)
  
  
• From: Ramadas (@ dclient80-218-20-30.hispeed.ch) on: Sat Sep 20 10:04:13 EDT 2003
  
  People of every geographic region have one mannerism or another as common to that region. There is nothing odd in it. People of other regions think they are odd, that is all. Shaking of head is a way of showing agreement or disagreement to the other person who is talking. Mostly it is to show that you are listening to the other person with attention. Hands and head movements are very important in conversation all the world over. When somebody sees your mannerisms as funny then you would know!!
  
  
• From: Ramadas (@ dclient80-218-20-30.hispeed.ch) on: Sat Sep 20 10:06:12 EDT 2003
  
  Example: People of the Arabic region always touch their chest with their right hand after shaking hand of a person as greeting. It is a way of showing that he is greeting you with his heart!
  
  
• From: Urme (@ mobileinternet.plus.com) on: Sat Sep 20 10:16:45 EDT 2003
  
  I was not not referring to the manerisms as being funny, but the way in which the question was put.
  
  
• From: Miami (@ 0-1pool108-52.nas4.peoria1.il.us.da.qwest.net) on: Sat Sep 20 12:48:23 EDT 2003
  
  >> Original Post
  >>Why do Indians and Pakistanis shake their heads unnecessarily when they talk? This question has been posed to me by my Chinese and Malay friends and I am stumped for an answer.
  
  Why do Chinese and Malays unnecessarily drag their sentences with a "la"? 'No la....', 'Yes la....' and things like that.
  
  

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