Unfortunately for me, it's true. Men do cover their mouth less than women.

Also, I find that when men cry it's usually more intense. This is probably due to the fact that they don't cry as often, and when they do they let it out harder. The intensity contributes to bulging or contorting the bottom lip more. On the other hand, I've rarely found young and attractive women crying intensely with their mouth uncovered.

I'm not a big fan of closed eyes. Actually, any expression meant to conceal emotion or keep it in check until it passes irritates me. I admit that I'm guilty of this, though -- the deep breaths, closing of eyes, turning away for a moment -- because sometimes you just have to control your emotions. But this would especially irritate me if it were a guy who I really wanted to see cry, such as my best friend. At least give me a little quiver of the chin or a shaky breath!

Embarrassment is so sexy because it shows that 1.) he's extremely vulnerable, 2.) he is unable to control himself despite his embarrassment, and 3.) he is, at least on some level, "submitting" his emotions to me (not just running away or whatever). Plus, it gives me the opening to do anything possible in the comforting arena to make sure he knows that he can trust me and I won't judge him for breaking down.

Really old thread, I know, but I've been thinking about this. I don't normally cover my mouth but I did it twice recently. First, I was at a friend's home and cried with her as she vented about some stuff. I did cover my mouth, even though I don't remember sobbing at all. It was the same impulse that makes me cover my mouth when I yawn, or cough. It just seemed the right thing to do for some reason. Also I did it when I was crying alone watching a tv show, and I covered my mouth because I was shocked at a plot development.

What about not seeing anything by covering the eyes? Maybe a man ist just in his own world/pain/frustration, what ever causes his tears to flow and doesn't want to see what happens around him