Is the Mac’s “Wrong Password” gesture universally understood?
When an incorrect password is entered into an Apple Mac’s login prompt, the dialog gently shakes as if the operating system is shaking its head at you.
This is a delightfully intuitive way to indicate your mistake.
Well, it is in my culture (UK), and I assume this is also the case in the many parts of the world in which a head shake is used to indicate rejection. According to Wikipedia, these include the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe (Greece included), South America, North America and Australia.
But in some regions, a head shake has the opposite meaning — as affirmation. According to Wikipedia, this is true in Bulgaria and southern Albania. Then there are cultures, such as in many parts of India, where a “head bobble” gesture — vaguely similar to a head shake — is used to mean agreement, confirmation, comprehension or as encouragement.
My question is: does the Apple Mac’s login form behave differently in different regions, and if so, how? If not, does the gesture cause confusion?