What is "The Nod" all about?

[John_Jacob]

You're walking along and you get "the nod". As men, we all know what "the nod" is about - usually the down nod. However, I get asked about "the nod" from the wife and thus, here is the (admittedly plagiarized) answer. Use it was you see fit.


"The Nod", it's a secret code that, roughly translated, means:

"I see you. I see that you are a human male. I, too, am a human male. We are both mortals. Our time on this earth is limited. We have obligations to which we must keep. I have noticed you, and you have noticed me. Neither of us has signaled a need for assistance, nor an objection to each others current conduct. There is no immediate need for either aid nor conflict. It appears that there is no immediate subject that requires our joint attention, and both of us may continue with our current activities. Let us both continue our lives, content in the knowledge that we have seen each other, assessed the situation, and spared the time it would have taken to exchange pleasantries about the weather, and instead put that time to use so that we do not miss it when, as must surely happen, we both must die."

Agree or disagree?

 

[Knuckle Ball]

*nods

 

[rgkv]

my nod isnt quite as complicated... its just a howdy

 

[unassuming]

 

[Nathan 88]

It’s just a sign of respect, rather than looking down, staring straight ahead or looking at your phone.
You’re just acknowledging that the person is there.

 

[Insidious Von]

Everything old is new again.

 

[John_Jacob]

It’s just a sign of respect, rather than looking down, staring straight ahead or looking at your phone.
You’re just acknowledging that the person is there.

So a nod down or a nod up has the same meaning?

 

[Nathan 88]

So a nod down or a nod up has the same meaning?

I usually nod down to acknowledge somebody in passing.
As far as nodding up, I would say, that would be something you would do when you’re engaged in conversation with someone and you’re letting them know that you are listening and comprehend what they’re saying.

 

[Valcazar]

It’s just a sign of respect, rather than looking down, staring straight ahead or looking at your phone.
You’re just acknowledging that the person is there.

And it would be super weird for it to be limited to men.

 

[Valcazar]

So a nod down or a nod up has the same meaning?

I've never seen a "nod up" used as an acknowledgment of someone.
Maybe I'm thinking of something else. Could you describe what you're thinking of?

 

[Valcazar]

The "nod up" in my opinion is for people you know, atleast to my understanding. Like you are talking to someone in the gym and someone else you know passes you and you "nod up" to acknowledge them and say "How you doing?", without breaking your current conversation.

Oh.
OK.
I know what you mean there.

Yeah, "nod up" tends to get viewed as a more friendly acknowledgment or even a "come here" (depending on context/approach) as far as I can see.

Of course, the whole problem here is that these things are very context dependent and the same thing means different things in different situations.

 

[Ponderling]

I was getting changed before an adult leisure swim session at the city pool earlier this week.
First session of the day, so door off the showers to the pool was not unlocked yet.

Three other guys I know already changed, sitting on benches waiting for the door to open.
They look up when I walk in, so I give them a nod, and got changed, and piled stuff into a locker.
Used the loo, then I made a jest.

Said 'You can bet if there were four ladies sitting like we were it would not be a situation where no one was talking.'
They all spoke to agree.
Then silence returned as we awaited the door to open.

 

[John_Jacob]

I've never seen a "nod up" used as an acknowledgment of someone.
Maybe I'm thinking of something else. Could you describe what you're thinking of?

Walking, generally a nod up is someone you recognize and is more of a hello. Nod down is more like a bull starting his charge

 

[Goodoer]

Nodding with eye contact is key.

 

[Not getting younger]

Nodding with eye contact is key.

I was just about to say similar. But without the nod.

I rarely nod, nor acknowledge them. You just need to look at people/guys. It’s in the eyes and if you get it, you recognize it.

 

[Goodoer]

As you get older, you realize that the younger man could beat the fuck out of you... The eye contact just means that you're willing to make it a challenge.

I love watching my sons grow into absolute beasts.

My purpose is done.

 

[Boss Nass]

I just pull my dick out and do 'the helicopter.' It's a pilot thing.

 

[Not getting younger]

As you get older, you realize that the younger man could beat the fuck out of you... The eye contact just means that you're willing to make it a challenge.

I love watching my sons grow into absolute beasts.

My purpose is done.

yes and no. I am now close to 60. Often staring down( when needed) guys bigger and half my age. I have no doubt I might come out the worse for wear. But they will know they tried the wrong person…

but there’s an acknowledgment if you will ( not sure how you articulate it) it can mutual respect or just “I see you”…it’s in the eyes.

 

[John_Jacob]

As you get older, you realize that the younger man could beat the fuck out of you... The eye contact just means that you're willing to make it a challenge.

I love watching my sons grow into absolute beasts.

My purpose is done.

The nod is, "Yes I see you and I'm ready for you".

 

[explorerzip]

First thing that came to mind was about nodding was this classic clip