marți, 24 februarie 2009

Why do we shake hands with people ?

10 Everyday Mysteries

Life is full of tiny everyday mysteries, most of which we just accept without asking questions. We did the asking for you in this slide show, so sit back and take a moment to learn more about these quirky, quotidian facts of life !
Israel and Jordan Make Peace (Image credit: REUTERS/THE BETTMANN ARCHIVE)
1. Why do we shake hands with people ?
The origin of the handshake lies in medieval history. By offering a right hand to a stranger, a hand that could otherwise be used to draw a sword, men were overtly displaying their intentions of peace toward one another. Nowadays, from signing a treaty to settling a bet with friends, "shaking on it" remains a symbolic sign of agreement.

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Young Miao (Hmong) Girl (Image credit: J.P. Gobert/Photo Researchers Inc.)
4. Why do we blush ?
When you're embarrassed or ashamed, your body releases a tiny amount of adrenaline. Adrenaline causes blood vessels in your face to dilate, allowing more blood to flow to your cheeks. This causes reddening, or blushing. Sociologically, blushing may be useful as a means of communication, as it can act as a wordless signal. For example, if we blush when we're attracted to someone, we are allowing what's on our minds to be known without having to say a thing.

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Collection of Rings (Image credit: Courtesy of the Trustees of the V and A)
6. Why are wedding rings worn on the fourth finger ?
There was an ancient belief that a vein, known as the "vena amoris," or "vein of love," ran directly from the fourth finger of the left hand to the heart. It was thought that this direct blood flow to the heart made it the perfect candidate for a wedding ring, as it solidified the union of love. However, in reality the veins running from the fourth finger are no different from those of any other finger, and it seems as if shrewd marketing, hearsay and tradition have designated the fourth finger as the "ring finger."

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