Wink 511397 225247093 2008-07-12T17:56:51Z Lachten 7287381 [[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 225169547 by [[Special:Contributions/203.213.213.82|203.213.213.82]] ([[User talk:203.213.213.82|talk]]) {{otheruses}} [[image:Wink.JPG|thumb|A man winking his right eye]] The '''wink''' is an [[intent]]ional [[facial expression]] made by briefly closing one or both [[eyes]]. A wink is a form of semi-formal communication, which indicates shared, unspoken knowledge. A "naughty wink" can silently indicate a shared secret, such as if a [[sales]]person gives a [[customer]] a [[brochure]] and says, "Here you go... it's free". Infrequently, it may also mean "got it" or "yes, I understand". In Western cultures, women may wink to men they are interested in [[dating]], but this has grown out of fashion, though still used occasionally. Winking is also done by men to women, often to convey a message of "I like what I see here" or "Hello, I am interested in getting to know you". In most male-female contexts, it has come to mean communicating explicit sexual intentions. A stranger male's winking at a woman is an explicit invitation for sexual act. In [[Latin American]] cultures, winking is also a romantic or sexual invitation, but can also be used a casual sign of recognition or of acceptance of behavior among friends.<ref name=non>{{cite web | title = Non-verbal communication | url= http://erc.msh.org/mainpage.cfm?file=4.6.0.htm&module=provider&language=English | accessdate = 2008-02-04 }}</ref> In [[Nigeria]], winking is a signal for children to leave the room.<ref name=non /> Many Asians, especially [[China|Chinese]] and [[India|Indian]] women, consider winking to be rude.<ref name=non /> Not all humans are able to wink voluntarily, and some can only wink one (usually the non-[[Ocular dominance|dominant]]) eye but not the other, while others are far better at winking one eye and find it awkward to wink the other. == See also == * [[Body language]] * [[Blink]] * [[Face]] {{wiktionary}} == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Facial expressions]] {{eye-stub}} [[fa:چشمک]] [[fr:Clin d'œil]] [[fi:Silmänisku]] [[he:קריצה]]