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? asked in Social ScienceOther - Social Science · 1 decade ago

Hands, during a tragedy......?

Have you ever noticed when someone sees an accident, or something shocking or surprising, their hand goes up to cover their mouths? It seems like it's done more when someone sees something that isn't good, like car wrecks, or hearing someone talk about really bad news...sad things like that.

I've also noticed women do it more than men.

Anyone know why this is?

4 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I think it's because of the expletives that inadvertently come to be uttered ( or thoughts ) as a subconscious reflex and the hand is a "oops sorry" for thinking-and-saying or thinking-or-saying that particular expletive.

  • kohl106
    1 decade ago

    I believe that it is because when you see something shocking your jaw drops, opening your mouth. And etiquette has always told us that you should cover your mouth when opening it, i.e. yawning. I believe that this polite little gesture has evolved to the point where it becomes natural, thus making us do it, or self consciously doing it, even when we see something shocking.

  • charles d
    1 decade ago

    Because it's not polite to have your mouth open.

  • isablackcat
    1 decade ago

    maybe its a precautionary measure for your involuntary vomit reflex:^) I

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