Many people cover their mouths when they laugh so instinctively that they don't even realize it.
And yet, what causes this involuntary or well-thought-out or even habitual behavior? Let's consider it in detail.
The reason may be cultural, for example, in the Asian world, and especially in Japan, this gesture has been considered a tradition for centuries. However, this is not just an Asian phenomenon, for example, in medieval Europe, showing teeth was considered tactless, especially for women. Nobles tried to hide their mouths while laughing, thereby showing respect for social etiquette.
Even today, this issue causes differences of opinion - if in one culture a sneer is an expression of friendship and warmth, in another society it is considered tactless and vulgar. No matter how free-spirited a person is, it is a fact that cultural norms still determine behavior, manners.
Gender factors are also important, for example, in many cultures, women more often than men hide their smiles with their hands.
Psychological factors are also important, for example, such behavior is often manifested during social anxiety and embarrassment. For example, by covering one's mouth with one's hand while laughing, a person creates a kind of small shelter and protects oneself from potential judgment and the interlocutor's scrutiny.
Sometimes it is just a habit, for example, in childhood you saw adults hiding their mouths while laughing and you remembered the facial expression.
Sometimes a person tries to hide a dental problem in this way - some people do not like the appearance of the front line of their teeth, that the enamel is not white enough or for some reason they cannot fix caries, etc.
As you might have guessed from the article, this gesture doesn't have one specific reason - however, the main thing is that you're laughing and happy, and yes, it doesn't matter at all whether half the neighborhood can hear your laughter or you cover your mouth with your hand. Laughter and a positive attitude are the best medicine for the body.
Source:
https://neurolaunch.com/covering-mouth-when-laughing-psychology/
