[Uethym]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm training someone, who is stupid. After everything I say, they give a sign of a approval, multiple times, for no reason.


[/ QUOTE ]

My officemate in graduate school was Chinese, and would always say "yesyesyes" as I was talking, as did several other Chinese students. I came to understand that it was a cultural thing, that meant not "I understand", but "I am listening attentively."

Which led to the following exchange at the airport ticket counter, pre-9/11:

"Sir, are you carrying any weapons or explosive devices?"
"Yes, yesyesyes."
(Ticket counter lady's eyes go wide.)
"Sir, I ask you again, are you carrying any weapons or explosive devices?"
"Yes, yesyesyes."
(I whisper slowly in his ear, "She asked if you have a bomb.")
(big smile) "Oh! Nooooo, nonono."