Do Not Smile At Animals

Please do not react to animals as humans. In our society a grin or smile is a sign of freindliness, an open-handed gesture of peace. It is a signal that indicates being receptive and maybe a cue to initiate a communication.

In the animal world the same gesture is interpretted as a sign of hostility, why? When you smile you are showing your teeth. This could cause a fight or flight reaction from many animals. Especially monkeys and canines.

Same goes for Eye Contact. Directly gazing at an animals might interpret it as a hostile gesture. This is also the same with some humans, for example, many times certain males do not like how someone is looking at them, What are you looking at?!?.

STFU!!

fnord