NODDING HEAD IN UZBEK AND BULGARIAN CULTURE
Keywords:
nonverbal communication, nodding, Uzbek culture, Bulgarian culture, intercultural misunderstanding, gesturesAbstract
Nonverbal communication is one of the most powerful forms of human interaction, and head movements are among the most universal gestures used by people in everyday life ⁷. A nod, usually understood as a sign of agreement, seems so natural that many people believe it is the same everywhere. However, cultural traditions prove otherwise ³. This article explores the meaning of head nodding in Uzbek and Bulgarian cultures, showing how the same physical gesture may produce opposite interpretations ⁴. By analyzing the role of nodding in daily communication, its historical and cultural foundations, and the challenges it creates in intercultural contexts, the article highlights both the uniqueness of each culture and the importance of cultural awareness ⁵.
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