Why do women hold their hand over their mouth when they're surprised, embarrassed or about to cry? I guess I can understand crying maybe they're trying to plug it up by holding it over their mouth but not sure why being surprised (especially this one) or being embarrassed elicits this response. It's not like they're coughing or sneezing. This gesture seems to be very universal, it's not one particular woman that does this lots of women do this.