It was a cool night in Brisbane and the afternoon rain glistened on the now darkened pavement. The buses whooshed by but no one else was really out and about except us. We were attending a workshop about being effective. Not more effective, effective: full stop. The mood was light, and some ribbing starting. Jokes and witty one-liners flew, the small group laughed and laughed and laughed. I laughed loudly and reached my hand to cover my mouth.
“What was that?” a fellow participant asked, “why do you cover your mouth when you laugh?”.
Do you know what? I didn’t know. That is weird, I thought, why am I doing that? I pondered the different explanations I could give and ultimately said: “I have no idea!”. The conversation moved on. Soon we were making our way home in the dark drizzle of another wet night. In my car, my thoughts turned to the question I was asked earlier. Why is that, I thought. Why cover your mouth when you laugh?
I considered that maybe it was a self-conscious thing? I had recently had a back tooth removed but doubted it was THAT visible.
Or perhaps it was a “cover your mouth” thing from my youth? But I’m pretty sure that was for yawns.
Maybe it was to quiet my loud and often criticised laugh? I’m sure that one had some truth in it.
Or maybe, it was to avoid spitting or breathing on someone else? I’d hate to inconvenience anyone by spitting in their face.
Maybe it was all these things and more, or it was everything and nothing.
It occurred to me that it was one of those things I just did and that now that I knew that I did it, I could and would stop doing it. Allowing myself to throw back my head and laugh like a child. Be as loud as I liked when the urge to laugh took over. This could be one of the final walls I had to break down to be comfortable in my loud, robust, cheerful personality and self. Maybe laughing should be the aim, not looking good doing it. Life’s just more fun when you laugh with your mouth open.
When was the last time you laughed big with your head back and mouth open?
Hi! I’m Melissa Walker Horn. Around here, they call me Suger. I’m the Chief Blogger and doer of all the things here at Suger Coat It. Blogging since 1901; I love a casual ootd, taking photos, and writing about things that irk or inspire me. I love wine and cheese, long days at the beach and spending time with my family. I make stuff for the internet over at Chalkboard Digital. You know, living the sweet life.
I love pics of me laughing with my mouth open and you know me I’m loud and proud. I trait I got from my mother. Actually a recent engagement shoot produced another laugh out loud photo that I adore. partially because of the handsome man beside me but mostly because it shows that we love to laugh.
Naaaaw, this is such a beautiful photo. You’re right, the mouth wide open laugh shows up a lot when in love. Congratulations to you!!
ALWAYS. laugh a lot and laugh loud – that’s my motto. I also sneeze loudly – but I do cover my mouth/nose when that happens.
Absolutely!! And haha, great plan.
I only cover my mouth when I laugh if it’s FULL of food – that ain’t a good look.
HA! Indeed it isn’t. Great advice. 😉
Ya mean like this?? Haha I can’t even help myself, I must catch lotsa flies! Oh well
YES! That’s it exactly you gorgeous thing you!
I´m always laughing with my head back and mouth open!! It´s actually strange if I go a day without doing it, even if I´m having a bad day (it´s not that I don´t take things seriously, but I try to find a fun or humoristic side to them). My laugh is very loud and people have told me that it makes them laugh just by hearing it. Why would I wanna diminish something that can make other people happy? My laugh is one of the things I love the most about me.
I love this Gi! Glad to hear it actually. A sense of humour is such a wonderful thing.
I cover my mouth when I eat in public. I hate eating in public. Not so much a restaurant but like a food court and such. I rather grab my food and go home.
One of the things I love the most about laugher is how differently everyone does it. I especially love those laughs that are just a little bit quirky and make you laugh along with them. Never hide your laugh, it is a wonderful laugh.
It’s funny the things we do. I do that a bit too. Cover my mouth when eating with people I don’t know well. In case it falls out or something embarrassing You know I’m comfortable with you when I quit the hand action over lunch. 😉
Thanks Pink! I agree, of course. The unique quality of some people’s laugh just triggers more laughter. Do you remember Rah’s laugh? She has the best laugh. With a snort thrown in here and there for good measure!
Haha. Fair enough! Safety first. 😉
Oh wow – I do this too! Not sure why … maybe to make it a bit quieter, I have a loud laugh? You’re right, to heck with it, now I’m gonna go loud and proud with my laughter!
I know right? It’s such a revelation. Enjoy those big laughs. 🙂