# Closing or narrowing the eyes when eating or drinking **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 20, 2015, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closing-or-narrowing-the-eyes-when-eating-or-drinking/738059 "2015-11-20T07:33:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2015, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closing-or-narrowing-the-eyes-when-eating-or-drinking/738059/1 "2015-11-20T07:33:59Z")
Is there an evolutionary basis for one’s habit of closing or narrowing the eyes when putting a (tasty) morsel into one’s mouth, or when taking a swig? I know of only one parallel, which is the case of the great white shark. Just before it closes with its prey it rolls its eyes backwards, and covers it with a flap or membrane. Other carnivorous animals look wide-eyed when attacking or eating. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2015, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closing-or-narrowing-the-eyes-when-eating-or-drinking/738059/2 "2015-11-20T14:31:57Z")
> [@the\_diego](#): > > Is there an evolutionary basis for one’s habit of closing or narrowing the eyes when putting a (tasty) morsel into one’s mouth, or when taking a swig? That’s a habit? I’ve never known anyone who does that. Hell, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it done. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closing-or-narrowing-the-eyes-when-eating-or-drinking/738059/3 "2015-11-20T17:00:30Z")
I may do this when I’m really savoring something. I’m honestly not sure. What I do know is that when I used to take a lot of meetings with folks in other geographies by phone, I would close my eyes when really trying to focus on what they were saying. By shutting down other sensory pathways, I made it easier for my brain to not get distracted and focus on what I wanted it to focus on. I’ve never done this for a social phone call; just when I felt like I really needed to concentrate. I suspect something similar may be going on when you’re really trying to taste something. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2015, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closing-or-narrowing-the-eyes-when-eating-or-drinking/738059/4 "2015-11-20T17:06:37Z")
A couple random observations. I think the eye thing when it comes to eating or drinking is actually a thing in movies/TV. But lots of things in movie/TV are exaggerated (or made up for that matter). Second. As a very visual person, I actually do close my eyes (or at least avert my vision) when trying to concentrate hard / enjoy something to avoid distracting visual input. ---
**Author:** ![moldmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@moldmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moldmonkey)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2015, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closing-or-narrowing-the-eyes-when-eating-or-drinking/738059/5 "2015-11-20T17:19:36Z")
When I’m really enjoying some food/drink my left eye closes involuntarily. My wife is not a big fan of it because apparently it is also my O-face. Closing both eyes does help me concentrate. I am curious why and if it’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2015, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closing-or-narrowing-the-eyes-when-eating-or-drinking/738059/6 "2015-11-20T20:31:32Z")
I’ve only seen one person do this, besides people on tv, and it is annoying. I always assumed he was putting me on as he’s kind of a weirdo.