Why do men nod at stranger men?

Question

I was in a German Restaurant with my coworker and a few times someone would pass by us, they would nod at him. The other foreigners - I mean.  Why’s that?  They didn’t know us.

Rosexøxø · Accepted Answer

Well it was amusing to see the assumption of the question, and the following tone of the answers, that proceeded it, but I’ve actually nodded at men before.

Teachers. Church goers. Strangers. Strangers at the grocery (both male and female).

It’s easier than just saying “hi” / “how are you” / “good morning” / “good day.”

It’s a greeting, quick enough and polite enough to last a second, before passing and continuing on one’s way.

It’s a greeting. And no, nodding isn’t restricted to gender… lol

You can smile. Nod. Or smile and nod. And you can even verbally greet and/or wave. It’s all up to the individuals and how fast their personal pace is in their walk. If they’re speeding, then they clearly cannot stay and talk. If they’re walking pretty slow, then it’s a good sign to try and interact, if you wanted to befriend them or be extra friendly.

Some men nodded at me, then I reciprocated. Some, I started, and they reciprocated. And a few, we happened to do so at the same time, and continued on our way.

Nothing about my appearance was masculine either. It was just courteous exchanges.

It could depend on the region, but I know it’s definitely not foreign to respectful/ traditional/ professional/ polite individuals here. I’ve seen female officers and doctors specifically, as well as some female teachers and faculty, who have nodded to me. It’s just amusing where the tone of this question went 😭😆.

LazerBean · Accepted Answer

It's just a greeting. People from friendly cultures greet strangers all the time.

Whitewulf · Accepted Answer

It’s a respect thing. bi hate to put it this way but it’s kind of an unspoken stacking order that is not really thought about until the last second. Here is an example: me and another guy are walking toward each other on a crowded street. At about 25 steps the size up happens. I had this happen today actually. The other guy is clearly in my lane and I’ve already decided in one glance he’s below me in the stacking order. As he continues to come straight at me he now gets the glare and eye contact and immediately recognizes the moment and in one step over to his right and his faces changed from serious to half smile and a nod. As mine did nodding back out of respect. Altercation avoided. See you only see the nod but not all the body language and posturing that comes before it.
had I recognized him as a higher ratings , im 6’3 so if he’s taller wider arrogant walk or not paying attention and still in my lane there will be no nod and possibly altercation if our shoulders collide.
anotger reason we nod is recognizing the guy is similar to us maybe in his attire or his vehicle things like that, kind of an approval nod.

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

Men know something intrinsically that most women are oblivious to, which is that any interaction between two men comes with the POSSIBILITY of violence - and that violence could be as little as a shove, or as serious as being permanently crippled or killed. This is why men are taught to give a basic level of respect to men who show respect or behave respectfully.

The handshake developed as a way of showing that you weren't carrying a weapon, because violence was common. And while it's much less common in western societies, it definitely still exists, and men understand that it's an ever present threat. The nod is two men showing each other respect, and agreeing that there needs to be no violence between them this day.

dynamicyandere · Answer

It’s just a polite non-verbal greeting.

Like a “good morning”. ☀️

Also, when two men make eye contact, it can be interpreted as a confrontation, so a nod signifies that you are just acknowledging them and that you mean well.

MasseurDeMojo · Answer

I was taught that you always greet everyone. That nod is a way of greeting and letting them know you acknowledge them.

I have been out, and because of that nod; I later got to know the person, and became a friend. This custom is used in many cultures. I was stationed in Japan; the Japanese will give a nod, and if it is someone more senior; they will do a low bow. In Guam, it is also used. If you go back into our past, and see that this custom came from the tipping of one's hat as they walked along as a greeting. If you go back even further, it was used not just to greet, but to tell who your friends were from your foes (but, it was always used as a greeting, even back then).

blueonblack22 · Answer

Men usually have a lot of internal tension when interacting with other men. We are assessing if the other guy is a threat or not. We are usually sizing each other up to see who would win a fight especially if we are close in age and/or there of something of value around (women). We are assessing if hostility is probable. Eye contact with another stranger can be taken as sign of aggression. It’s literally programmed into us subconsciously.

So occasionally we signal to each other that we mean well. If the other guy nods back or acknowledges us It’s a way of diffusing the situation.

That does not mean the “hey bro” is always genuine. Some guys will put on a friendly exterior while still having hostile intentions. But still most of the time it’s just “I am cool and let’s relax” signal to chill out.

BoopBoopBeep · Answer

Just saying hello to passersby on the street or whatever. A polite acknowledgement of their presence.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

As much as there's a "bro code", there's also a "man code".
It wasn't for, or about you.
It signals non-confrontation at some rate of mutual respect between men.
Needless to point out that we'd not treat boys or jerks like this; it's more about potential peers.

NathanDavis · Answer

basically, instinct... it does send a signal of "all good, no threat"

Overandunder89 · Answer

I'm not sure if gender plays as big a role here as you think. I see women do it all the time, but it largely depends on how one is taught as a child. As someone from the southern United States, I tend to nod at everyone who makes eye contact with me because I believe it's rude not to. Stranger or not, it sends a signal that that person isn't even worth a simple acknowledgment as a fellow human being. It has nothing to do with knowing the person. How exactly do you make friends if you won't acknowledge someone unless you already know them? This isn't meant to be a criticism or an attack of any sort, but it is something that I've always wondered about people who seem to avoid any sort of contact with people whom they don't already know...

grega239 · Answer

Thats apparently a man thing.  Nodding down is a greeting to a stranger (usually) Nodding up depends on the situation.  It could mean "whats up" Or it could be a "the fuck you gonna do" type of thing

OfMiceandMen · Answer

I think it is just a friendly gesture, perhaps your friend has a kind face and smiles a lot.

aceleon · Answer

just a man acknowledging another man's presence when he see the other one does the same.

Grond21 · Answer

Mutual awareness, respect, and acknowledgment of presence.

Anpu23 · Answer

Its a non confrontational way to acknowledge each others presence. A guy looking at another guy can be interpreted as aggressive, the nod is turning it into a recognition of each others presence. Almost a non-verbal 'hello.'

normalice · Answer

If you accidentally make eye contact with someone a nod is an easy way to avoid conversation.

Lionman95 · Answer

It´s a none verbal greeting. Like in Germany people say: Hello or Good day. When they see another person. Nodding at someone is the none verbal form.

JacobJordan · Answer

It is a secret don't worry about it. There is a code. All men know it we shalt not share the sacred information+

ProbablyClueless · Answer

It's just a way of saying "hi" and acknowledging the other person without obligating them to have a conversation with you.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

That’s a part of  Gemütlichkeit , we do that in Germany, so why not in a German restaurant? 🙃

JayBones · Answer

Males nod at each other to acknowledge that we understand violence will happen if anyone transgress on friends and family but if that doesn't happen we good.

redskulldangerzone64 · Answer

It's like how you see in the wild Western movies when cowboys nod off and tip their hat as a sign of respect and to show your not a threat and that itself is a friendly way of saying hi and that you're not a threat to them and if your good I'm good

bolverk · Answer

It is common for men to acknowledge each others presence, even when they do not know each other.

genericname85 · Answer

that's not even a "men" thing. that's how you greet people without being socially intrusive or overbearing.

tfan1 · Answer

To acknowledge that person has been seen and is a nice nonverbal way of saying hello.

DagonbroughtMehere · Answer

Not something I do unless engaged directly by the other, I understand it is a form of acknowledgement and greeting.

KrakenAttackin · Answer

It's a way of reading the room and assessing any potential threats.

AskANaturist · Answer

Sorry, you have to be one of us to understand.

ab2shifty · Answer

It’s like a signal of “hello” or “no problems”

spartan55 · Answer

It's a guy thing.

jahaims · Answer

It's means I'm good if your good.

justabuddy · Answer

Simple way of saying hello, being friendly and polite. Less formal than waving your hand.

msc545 · Answer

A respectful Hello

Jennz6 · Answer

Men nod at men, they are queer

stark04 · Answer

Gentleman greetings.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

How much stranger?

dudeinohio · Answer

A nod Is just a simple greeting to strangers

Charliefretz329 · Answer

It’s just a physical version of hello, good day

bananathunder · Answer

All guys do that to each other

Girthbrooks69 · Answer

To let them no their bulge is showing.

Dongie · Answer

Respect

Why do men nod at stranger men?

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