Why do some people flail their arms around when they're just talking?

Maybe they want additional attention from everyone around. I used lots of hand gestures when I was teaching, but I didn't flail about.

Yeah, you might be right.
:)
Don't know why people do it.






On the other hand (literally), there is some potential good that can come out of all that flailing. That's me on the left . .  .






This post was edited by WelbyQuentin at January 8, 2019 10:39 PM MST

I think those folks do it unconsciously to underscore or emphasize what they're saying.  I find it irritating to have to sit next to someone who does that because I can't stand anyone's hand in front of my face.  At work, there are a couple of people who do that, but I know who they are and make sure I sit far away from them.

I can't stand it either, I wonder if it's for added drama? Or if it's a throw back from when we used sign language more than speech, after all most of our communication is from body language. They need "Warning, this person comes with exaggerated hands movements, prepare to duck," printed on their T-shirts. Italians are famous for it.

Monkey see - Monkey do....  these idiots have seen it on TV and believe it is appropriate.  They are not even thinking about it, for them normal behavior.  Too the rest of us sophomoric, obnoxious behavior.  To bad we would be sued if we threw peanuts at them

I talk with my hands.   Some people in my family have told me it's an Italian thing.   It may or may not be, but I do it never the less.

I gestate that that when it happens....it strikes me that they have no batter people to thrash things out with...:)

Maybe they grew up watching Jerry Clower.

This post was edited by Not Sure at January 9, 2019 7:22 PM MST

Cultural, situational and personal reasons.
Some cultures gesticualte a lot; others consider it rude.
Some people are highly energetic, extroverted and expressive.

The woman you speak of sounds not fully aware of the people around her, maybe even a bit stupid.
I hope she apologised.