smiling at crocodiles.

[nonomaybe]

My granddaughter wants to know why, according to the words of the immortal song, one should not smile at a crocodile.

Hope this is the right site for this question!!!!!

[Count-A-Strong]

Not sure I understand the question, It's just a song.
http://www.lyrics007....ocodile%20Lyrics.html

It's a bit like asking 'why aren't there 51 ways to leave your lover'. Or 'What is Happy Talk' or 'What's a Careless Whisper' The phrases don't really stand any scrutiny because artistic license applies.

[nonomaybe]

Which confirms my thought, however I wondered if there was a "real" reason for the words and suggested to my Granddaughter we should ask the experts on AB - but thanks for your reply.

(it is said that you shouldn't stare at some dogs as it makes them aggressive)

[fredpuli47]

" Don't be taken in by his friendly grin" and he's only thinking how you'd " fit within his skin" are how the song itself explains it ! It goes on to say you shouldn't dip your hat to one either, for the same reason. Avoid both!

Don't think we'll be able to explain it any better..

And yes, you shouldn't stare at any dog. It unsettles any dog because, to a dog,another dog staring conveys aggressive intent.He'll feel the same about a human staring; the instinctive reaction is not affected by that. If the dog is at all aggressive by nature he may decide to strike first. This may account for some of the cases of toddlers being attacked by dogs. Toddlers tend to stare at dogs unblinkingly and they are at eye to eye level with big dogs

[rowanwitch]

good answer fredpuli...many people forget that dogs are just modified wolves

and just out of interest the trigger with cats is the opposite...blink very slowly at a cat a few times it will usually back down and slink away....never tried it with a big cat though.. no idea why it works

[nonomaybe]

Thank you for your replies. I will try to explain that the words are just lyrics to the song, without any other meaning.

[Brinjal]

Yes I think it is just a song where as the expression crocodile tears relates to the fact that crocodiles have tear glands and do appear to cry however Im sure they really arent sorry when they eat you.