This has been an interesting thread. 'The nod' - while an innocuous gesture - is definitely a 'gendered' - gesture.

I have been trying to be more aware of when I do this and I have noticed a couple of things: I do not do this with women - only men, and I don't decide to do it - it appears to be almost instinctual. There is no thought behind when to nod upwards, downwards or not at all - it just sort of happens. Very deeply engrained scoial programming and hard to overcome.


Also, I've also noticed that in general, women don't do the nod - 'tough' girls will - but stereotypically feminine women don't.

I think Jessica summed it up well. It is a 'respectful' acknowledgement of an individual eminating 'masculine' energy (as it were.)

Quote Originally Posted by Wren
The more this discussion drags on, the more frustrated I get. What If I don't want to be THAT boy? What if I don't consciously chose my movements based on gender stereotypes? What if I find is that the more natural you act, short of really obvious no-no's, the more you will pass.
I have found this to be very true. I get read as a girl more often when I'm not consciously trying to be feminine. To me, it's almost like people can sense that I'm trying. As a rule, I don't try to be any one 'thing'. Hell, I spent the better part of my life playing the role of 'man' for everyone. For me, to be a 'woman' is to play no less of a role.

All we can do is be ourselves - People will gender us as the way they want to anyway.

Love & Stuff,
Donna