Bulgaria

[joho07]

Can anyone confirm that in Bulgaria instead of nodding you shake your head to signify "yes" and vice versa for "no". I heard this from some of my friends and it says so in the German Wikipedia, but the source isn't all that believable either.

Thank you.

Comments

[lectrix_lecti]

It's true, but in touristy areas Bulgarians are kind enough to nod for yes and shake their heads for no.

I have to admit I find that terribly confusing, since it's impossible to know if they mean Bulgarian "no" or general "yes" when they nod.

[alienor77310]

It's even more confusing in Greece: when someone tells you "Nay" and shakes his head, he means yes...

[oh_meow]

It's true, but they don't shake their head like the no from other countries, it's a sharp sideways nod for yes, and a sharp up for no. I've had bulgarian students in the past and the people in the class have had great fun comparing body signals between countries once they've noticed the bulgarian nodding.

[wiped]

in iran and many of its neighboring countries (turkey, azerbaijan, armenia, etc.) a sharp upwards nod means "no" as well. it's often accompanied by raising both eyebrows and/or clucking the tongue.

[sca_sethe]

Once you try it out, I does feel like a proper way to say "no"

[worldtensor]

I grew up in Baku, Azerbaijan, had plenty of Azerbaijani friends and some (admittedly basic) command of the language. This is the first time I hear that 'a sharp upwards nod means "no"' in that area. In fact, the story of Bulgarians' nodding for no and shaking their heads for yes seemed as strange and exotic for us as it does for the OP.

Would you mind providing the source for your statement? Thanks

[kegel84]

It's really the case and can be so confusing lol.

I currently work in Bulgaria and often see my co-workers talking on the phone, telling someone "yes", but at the same time shaking their heads, or if I explain something to the students I work with they sit there and shake their heads... ;)

[theunixgeek]