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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Want to Bum a Smoke? Whisper in Their Right Ear

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(Newser) – People prefer to listen with their right ears and are more giving when addressed from that side, LiveScience reports. An Italian study conducted in nightclubs shows that almost three-quarters of people observed listen with their right ear. Moreover, the researchers cadged significantly more cigarettes when they approached clubgoers on the right, rather than left, when trying to bum a smoke.

The researchers suppose that the difference is attributable to the hemispheres of the brain. The left hemisphere, tied to the right ear, is superior at language processing, while the right is better at understanding emotion. “The left hemisphere, moreover, is more involved in approach behavior, whereas the right has a role in withdrawal and avoidance behavior,” a researcher said.

A smoker in a bar.
A smoker in a bar.   (AP Photo)
A whisper in the right ear.
A whisper in the right ear.   (Shutter Stock)
A plastic ear.
A plastic ear.   (AP Photo)
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As you can see, the picture is not so simple, but when it comes to the informational content of language the right ear predominates. - Luca Tommasi, University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" in Chieti, Italy

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3 comments
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Deebles
Jun 24, 09 5:22 PM CDT
Which ear if you just want a blow job? Reply
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TerrifiedCitizen
Jun 24, 09 6:15 PM CDT
So, lefties would considerably cut down on cancer deaths? Reply
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-2
emnacstac
Jun 25, 09 10:12 AM CDT
if they conducted this study in one club, what if the woofer is just on the left side of the floor? making their right ones the only ones functioning. this happened to me last week. Reply
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