"There are certain interesting features to winking. It's silent, so it can be directed (to some extent) towards or away from people. It parasitises an automatic, unconscious behaviour and gives it a kind of explicit intentionality. It's quick, potentially private and, for that reason, can be played off as ambiguous. It's done with the eyes, which we might think are potentially leaking out truth and feeling."
"Winking has to be interpreted in context. Yes, it can be cheeky, but it can also serve as an affectionate show of support (you got this!), a flirtatious gesture or, as the Canadian prime minister so masterfully employed it, a signal to the world that one fully understands the absurd circumstance in which he finds himself. Winking at someone in the wrong context could obviously land you in an awkward or even confrontational dilemma. Because it's so versatile,"
Winking conveys a range of social meanings including impudence, flirtation, mischief, affectionate support, and ironic acknowledgement of awkward circumstances. Context and audience determine whether a wink is playful, supportive, or offensive. The gesture is silent and can be directed or withheld to create a private signal. Winking parasitizes an automatic, unconscious blink to add explicit intentionality while remaining quick and potentially deniable, producing ambiguity. The eye-based nature of the gesture gives it emotional salience and potential authenticity. Misreading or inappropriate winking can cause embarrassment or conflict, so situational awareness and audience understanding are essential.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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