A study described by Phys.org examines how social gestures, such as a nod or a smile, influence whether someone is seen as attractive. The researchers found that these gestures do not carry a fixed meaning. Instead, their effect depends on the cultural norms that both the observer and the performer bring to the interaction.
Familiar behaviors tend to feel more comfortable and are evaluated more positively, which in turn boosts perceived attractiveness. The study suggests that people are not simply responding to the gesture itself, but to how well it fits their learned expectations of proper social conduct.
The authors note that humans are a highly social species, yet societies vary widely in their customs and behavioral rules. Accounting for that variation, they argue, is necessary if researchers want to understand how everyday interactions shape first impressions and judgments of appeal.