head wagging

One interesting Indian trait is the "head wag". Basically when people agree with you instead of nodding their head they move it from side to side. At first it almost looks like they are shaking their head in disagreement and it is very confusing, but it is a different type of movement, almost like the way a bobblehead head moves.
Some people are big time head-waggers; they will have their head moving from side to side almost non-stop during a conversation; with others you get just a little head tilt in agreement.
What is interesting is that it is almost used in lieu of words some times, almost like an acknowledgement. Like if you see someone far away instead of waving you would give a little tilt to acknowledge them.
I haven't quite managed using head wag, it just isn't natural to me. The only time I make a concerted effort to use it is when I'm at the coffee shop with the boy that is deaf, it is my way of saying "thanks for my coffee", I like to think he understands, he smiles so that is a good sign. Otherwise I stick with words.
I am used to seeing it now though and don't think that the whole world is disagreeing with me although the people that are big time head waggers I do find a little bit distracting sometimes. I sit there wondering if it hurts their necks. Of course usually I'm thinking this in the middle of a meeting which is a whole other issue altogether. But that is for another day.
For now I must be off to lunch so I can do my homework for Hindi class. I'm such a bad student!