Friday, October 22, 2010

The Language of the Fan

If you've ever wandered around the hotel, you know we like keeping certain antique and vintage items on display. Our newest display can be found on the third floor of the historic section and it shows off some fans we've collected over the years. Did you know that back in the day when ladies carried fans, they would use them to send romantic (or anti-romantic) signals to would-be suitors.

Here are some signs a lady with a fan is interested in you:
  • If she's fanning herself quickly, she's saying "I love you so much."
  • If she moves the hair away from her forehead, she's saying "Don't forget me."
  • If she hits her palm with her fan, she's saying "Love me."
  • If she drops the fan, she's saying "I belong to you."
Here are some signs a lady with a fan couldn't care less about you:
  • If she's fanning herself slowly, she's saying "Don't waste your time, I don't care about you."
  • If she's resting the fan on her lips, she's saying "I don't trust you."
  • If she hiding the sunlight with her fan, she thinks you're ugly.
A lady with a fan could also be trying to send you a message. If she's carrying a closed fan with her left hand, it means she's engaged, whereas if she's carrying a closed fan with her right hand, it means she wants to be engaged. If she fans herself with her left hand, she's telling you "Don't flirt with that woman." If she runs her fingers through the ribs of the fan, she wants to talk to you. If she half-opens the fan over her face, she is saying "We are being watched."

If your Halloween costume includes a fan this year, try out some of these messages. You can find more here.