Why do you shrug your shoulders? Is it some kind of instinct or something?

Ronaldo7

Just thought about it now when someone asked me a question and i shrugged my shoulders...why do i do it??? :dunno:

Barry Aldwell

/me shrugs shoulders

I dunno

Ste.phen

I figured someone had already posted that,
seriously though, how many of you shrugged when you read the thread?

The_Goose

i think it just a habit we pick from seein other's do it, but it does have the desired effect you want as in:
what time is it, shrug = don' t know
did you have a good time, shrug = not really


the really question is what the hell is shrug????

BKtje

well if someone asks youwhat time it is and you put your arms out palm up to eiher side of your body it gives you the appearance of confusion or i dont know.

Just shrugging is a lazy mans version of that

Evil_Bilbo

I saw on national geographic this thing about how some animals have human characteristics.

Apparently some apes shrug their shoulders also (chimps or something). They're not just imitating humans, as they live in the wild.


It represents a sign of confusion or delay or something to the other chimps while communicating and socializing


I'm nearly sure its something to do with fish eggs. Or is that fish and eggs?

Karoma

no matter, both are sexual. (fish / eggs)
it's a social thing - copying one another.



[blah] possibly started off as raising one shoulder: to tilt the head that way : bones in spine fused (before full development.. argh. brain gone mush..me go home.) [/blah]

Ronaldo7

Ye but how did it all start? Theres gotta be a reason...same question could be asked about frowning...

feylya

Muscle reaction? Like smiling. Just guessing.

embee

We have physical movements that correspond to "yes" and "no" (nod and headshake), so its perfectly rational we should have one for "I dunno"

Agent Smith

wile reading embee's post regarding the nodding, i shugged my sholder's.........



/me shrugges sholders

Senor_Fudge

let us all shrug for we dont know why we shrug

Commissar

Why does a guy whose been blind since birth still smile when he's in a good mood?
Some things are just hard-wired in, I guess.