Ask HN: How do you acknowledge though not agree with people's statements?

I tend to say confirmatory statements such as "I understand," "I follow you," "I hear what you're saying.", in contrast to "Mmhmm","yep","yeah","totally","right", or other phrases which indicate assent.

Protip: Avoid use of phrases which indicate you're about to turn the tables on them until they get a chance to get their full thoughts out, such as "ok" (depending on tone), "yes, but", etc. Ask probing questions which draw out assumptions and fully understand their POV first. Being heard and understood makes it a lot easier to have a conversation on the merits.

If you're in India though, you can use the sideways head bobble. Super effective. (I am not Indian but work in/with many from that culture)

"I understand that you have difficulties figuring out how to acknowledge what others tell you without necessarily agreeing with what they said. In particular you find that nodding is problematic because of its ambiguity, and you are therefore interested in hearing how other people would deal with this issue."

Have you ever read any Marshall Rosenberg? He's all about that.