People who cover their mouths when they laugh are not necessarily shy, according to psychology experts, who say the gesture is more closely linked to a desire to maintain control and reserve their behaviour in social settings.
Many specialists do recognise that people with this habit can feel insecure in group situations, but they say other explanations carry equal weight. Psychologist Alicia Escaño, writing on the portal La Mente es Maravillosa, said people who cover their mouths when laughing tend to be respectful of others, think with intelligence and project confidence. She added that they know how to listen and respect others’ turns to speak, something she described as important if we want others to enjoy shared time together.
Some experts also link the behaviour to emotional inhibition, a tendency to suppress or avoid expressing feelings in social contexts. According to Investe Psicólogos, people who show this trait are more prone to experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression, because they lack the ability to express what they are feeling, causing stress to build up internally.
The organisation also noted that emotional inhibition affects not only a person’s mental health but also has a deep impact on personal relationships, creating barriers that make authentic communication and connection more difficult.
Experts caution, however, that the habit should not be viewed purely in negative terms, as it can simply be a custom built up over the years.
