We smell our fingers to check if anything "bad" is on them and to make sure we aren't going to unknowingly spread something like an illness to another person.
The Purpose Behind the Sniff
The act of smelling our fingers is often an unconscious habit that serves several purposes:
- Hygiene Check: We often use our hands for various activities, and sometimes, we touch things that may have contaminants we cannot see. Smelling our fingers becomes a quick check to identify potential issues.
- For example, if you’ve been handling food or chemicals, smelling your fingers might alert you to an unwanted odor and the need to wash your hands.
- Reassurance: According to the reference, one reason we sniff our hands is to reassure ourselves that we are not carrying anything harmful.
- This is an unconscious act that allows us to feel confident that we are not going to spread anything that could harm others.
- Unconscious Habit: Sometimes, the act of smelling our fingers becomes an unconscious habit. This might stem from the reasons mentioned above, or it might simply become a personal quirk.
What We Might Detect
The smells we detect can vary greatly and might include:
| Smell Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Food smells | Garlic, onions, spices, leftover food |
| Chemical/Cleaning Agent | Bleach, soap, cleaning products |
| Natural elements | Dirt, plants, soil |
| Personal odors | Sweat, lotions, perfumes, other body odors |
The Evolutionary Aspect
The idea that we smell our fingers to ensure we aren't spreading disease has evolutionary roots.
- Humans, being social creatures, are constantly interacting with each other. This means that we often come into contact with different germs and bacteria.
- Therefore, checking for unpleasant or unusual smells through sniffing helps us maintain a level of awareness about our impact on those around us.
Conclusion
Smelling our fingers is not just a random habit; it is a way to unconsciously check for potential contaminants, reassure ourselves of hygiene, and be mindful of the impact we have on others. The habit might stem from deeply rooted survival instincts.
