Korean Job Discussion Forums

ewlandon · Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Location: teacher

So I have a few students who every time they see me the shake their head (as in a "no" shake in the west). Other than that these students generally seem to like me so it's throwing me off. Does this have some different meaning than I am used to, or why would they be shaking their heads in dissaproval every time they see me.

furtakk · Joined: 02 Jun 2009

It's the equivalent of a wave.

It used to throw me off as well. One of my exes would shake her head after she took a seat on the bus. I though she was always being cheeky.

ewlandon · Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Location: teacher

wow, i've been here for 1.5 years and only like two students do this and its the same two. I honestly thought they were giving me some dissaproval and it was bothering me. It seemed so weird since the same students are always so joyful and nice when we actually talk.

THanks for clearifying kinda weird this was never explained and I couldnt find anything on the net. Must not be all that common.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I started noticing this about 5 years ago. It happens to me a few times a week. It seems to be an individual mannerism of just a few girls as an alternative to a nod or a wave in greeting. Its definitely not unfriendly, always with eye contact & a smile. I've only seen girls do it.

I've asked a number of Korean adults about this, for explanation or corroboration. They dont know what I'm talking about.

ewlandon · Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Location: teacher

yeah the two students that do it to me are both girls too. Is it like a young generational thing that girls do? It seemed so strange..

Half the time I say hi they say "hi"
sometimes they "wave"
and sometimes they are just like NO! (head shake)

yodanole · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Location: La Florida

When you become the guy that can explain why young girls do things, you'll be more famous than Mohammed, Buddha, Jesus, Confucious and The Beatles combined.

EZE · Joined: 05 May 2012

It happens to me once or twice a week. It happened at other schools too, the first one being in 2006.

It's boys and girls. The head shake is usually done. Sometimes, there's a hand wave off meaning "no" done either with the head shake or as a substitute. One boy even says, "No hello." Laughing

One or two of them do it consistently, but most of them will be very friendly one day, then do the head shake the next day, then be friendly the following day. It's so weird.