Shushing

Shushing is the act of requesting silence by producing the shushing sound, typically "shh" or "shush," and often accompanied by a finger pressed to the lips. The gesture is widely recognized as a nonverbal cue to quiet a space, and the sound is an onomatopoeic representation of the sibilant fricative used in many languages. Pronunciation and emphasis can vary across cultures.

In practice, shushing is used in settings where noise disruption is undesirable, such as libraries, classrooms, theaters, places of worship, cinemas, and meeting rooms. It may be delivered verbally in a soft voice or through a nonverbal cue to convey the request without words. The goal is to reduce the audibility of conversations or movements that disturb others.

Etiquette and effectiveness vary. When used politely and unobtrusively, shushing can restore concentration or order; however, overuse or aggressive tones can provoke resentment or resistance, and some people may misinterpret it as condescension. In popular culture, librarians are often depicted as frequent shushers, contributing to a stereotype that may not reflect reality.

Shushing intersects with broader nonverbal communication and noise management. It can be less effective in very crowded or noisy environments or for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Alternatives include lowering volume, signaling with lights, or establishing quiet norms in advance.