Valentine week - 6

When you speak of realizing love for someone, you find signs. One of the most important and beautiful sign is Blushing. Maria blushed after dancing with Georg Von Trapp (The Sound of Music) and became aware of her feelings for him. It's a common thing. So I wanted to delve into depth about why is that so and is it really so. 


Blush is defined as reddening of the face as a sign of embarrassment or shame. a uniquely human trait  -  eluded even Charles Darwin who called it 'the most peculiar and the most human of all expressions'. While the psychology of blushing remains elusive, we do understand the physical process involved. Basically, an involuntary reaction of our sympathetic nervous system causes the blood vessels in our face to dilate. This increases blood flow to the area, resulting in a color that ranges from light pink to dark red. Because it is involuntary, it is something we cannot control, despite our best efforts. We blush after doing something socially embarrassing. In general, Not only are blushing people viewed as more trustworthy, they actually are more trustworthy, according to a study.


Beware, excessive blushing is a disease which needs attention and medical support.


There are three primary theories of why people in love blush.


1. Evolution/Attraction: If we take our cue from apes, rosy cheeks are crucial in the dating game, says a new study. Scientists at Stirling University in Great Britain have found that primates prefer mates with red faces. A rosy glow might also act as a similar cue in humans, say the British researchers, sending a message of good health.


2. Sign of loyalty: Neuroscientists have noted that women blush more than men and therefore women may use it to demonstrate their honesty to men and foster trust. 'Blushing it tell you that I can't cuckold you,' V.S Ramachandran from the University of California said. 

'If you ask me about infidelity I can't lie - my blush gives me away.'

3. Pleasure: MRI scans of the brain have shown that there’s more activity in those parts of the brain that are concerned with pleasure and arousal. That’s the result of two neurotransmitter hormones. There are other hormones involved as well, which are secreted from the posterior part of the pituitary. These cause your blood pressure to go up and the blood flow increases to your cheeks – and that’s why you blush.

These are just theories and no solid explanation has been given till date on blushing.  

Well, also there are scientific proofs that people in love experience butterflies in stomach, loss of sleep, obsession and suppressed social judgement. All in all, love makes one crazy.

If someone thinks absence of these signs mean you are not in love, read what Shakespeare gotta say here.

As you like it, Act 3 Scene 2

ORLANDO.

I am he that is so love-shaked: I pray you tell me your remedy.

ROSALIND.

There is none of my uncle's marks upon you; he taught me how to know a man in love; in which cage of rushes I am sure you are not prisoner.

ORLANDO.

What were his marks?

ROSALIND.

A lean cheek; which you have not: a blue eye and sunken; which you have not: an unquestionable spirit; which you have not: a beard neglected; which you have not: but I pardon you for that, for simply your having in beard is a younger brother's revenue:-- then your hose should be ungartered, your bonnet unbanded, your sleeve unbuttoned, your shoe untied, and every thing about you demonstrating a careless desolation. But you are no such man; you are rather point-device in your accoutrements, as loving yourself than seeming the lover of any other.

ORLANDO.

Fair youth, I would I could make thee believe I love.

ROSALIND.

Me believe it! you may as soon make her that you love believe it; which, I warrant, she is apter to do than to confess she does: that is one of the points in the which women still give the lie to their consciences.

(In simpler English)

ORLANDO

Well, I’m the man you’re speaking of. Please, tell me your cure.

ROSALIND

But you don’t have any of the symptoms my uncle told me about. He taught me how to recognize a man in love, and you’re not a prisoner of love, I’m sure.

ORLANDO

What did he say the symptoms were?

ROSALIND

A thin face, which you don’t have; a sleepless, sunken eye, which you don’t have; an irritable temper, which you don’t have; a neglected beard, which you don’t have—but that might not be so telling, since you don’t have much beard anyway. Your stockings should be falling down around your ankles, your hat flying off your head, your sleeves unbuttoned, your shoes untied, and everything about you demonstrating carelessness and misery. But you’re no such man. You’re so neat and well put-together that you look like you love yourself more than anyone else.

ORLANDO

Young boy, I wish I could make you believe that I’m in love.

ROSALIND

Make me believe it? You might as well make the one you love believe it, which she’s more likely to do than admit that she does—that’s one of the ways that women fool their own consciences.