The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #161044 Message #3823717
Posted By: GUEST,Senoufou
30-Nov-16 - 03:40 PM
Thread Name: Folklore: Automatic Gestures
Subject: RE: Folklore: Automatic Gestures
This is very interesting. I've just watched your clip at 20:24, and I don't think I've ever seen that 'startle gesture' or ever used it myself (I'm in UK). I'm really old, but no-one in my life has ever used it. One puts one's hands to one's mouth if startled, or covers one's mouth perhaps. One hand on the chest is most odd. I could imagine doing that if flattered or complimented. (A sort of, "What me?" reaction)
Do you think unconscious gestures are learned and cultural? I reckon it's probably so.
In my travels I've noticed very different human gestures for various situations to those used in UK.