Why do people flutter their hands in front of their faces when overexcited (like meeting their favorite celebrity)? Does it have something to do with hyperventilation? Or is it a non-functional gesture? Only seen it in America and mostly teen girls who do it.
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It’s an interesting question, I think wearing makeup is also a factor. You want to touch your face but can’t
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That’s a good hypothesis. Also at least on tv flamboyant gay men seem to do it and I know at least 1 real gay guy who does
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Yeah I’ve seen gay dudes do it too - that one I think we could chalk up to in-group signalling habits, like the acquired gay lisp accent
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i think its 99% mimesis, 1% memory of vaguely remembered mannerisms from when ladies carried fans. Dry anxiety sweat.
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It's like spirit fingers. You draw attention to yourself without aping threatening, masculine body language like clapping or raising fists.
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Something intense just happened and they need to signal the emotions which takes up social space but they don't want to appear to be competing with men.
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That might perhaps partly explain broad gender differences in gesticulation, but not this specific one.
Sure, okay. To build on the makeup theory, they're in the habit of keeping their nails long, so it's not safe to touch their face when adrenaline reduces fine motor control.
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