# Why wink? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 12, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wink/492796 "2009-04-12T01:59:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wink/492796/21 "2009-04-13T01:40:45Z")
I’ve noticed that a lot of men who whistle (musically) wink while they’re doing it. Whistling. The guy in that air conditioner commercial, Jon (a guy I used to work with, a country singer who’s name I can’t remember (I think he was often on the Lawrence Welk Show), and some others. Maybe there’s a connection. Where’s my tin foil. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wink/492796/22 "2009-04-13T07:58:04Z")
I’d say it’s one of the few things you can do with your face that can only be seen from one side and can therefore be conveyed secretly. ---
**Author:** ![EpicNonsense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c37758/32.png) [@EpicNonsense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EpicNonsense)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wink/492796/23 "2009-04-13T08:24:29Z")
It’s a _secret_ signal that can be perceived differently depending on the situation… Think of it as a smirk in a sense… ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wink/492796/24 "2009-04-13T11:01:54Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > Maybe “body language” isn’t the term I’m thinking of. [Non-verbal communication](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-verbal_communication)? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wink/492796.md?page=1)