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The Language of the Fan In 19th century puertorrican ladies went dancing, they were always accompanied by their mothers or another adult lady, called "the Chaperona" (Shah-peh-roh-nah), to watch her behavior. They were very jealous so, the young girls invented a way to communicate with the boys without being noticed by them. They used their fans in different ways to convey their messages. It is said that: If the lady moved her fan very slowly over her chest it meant: I"m free and available I don't have a boyfriend" If she moved the fan in fast and short movements over her chest it meant: "I have a partner or boyfriend, so keep going". If she opened and closed her fan and touched her cheek with it, it told the gentleman: "I like you!" If she placed the fan on her temple and looked upwards, it said: "I think of you day and night!" If she saw her boyfriend talking to another girl or suspected he was being unfaithful she touched the tip of her nose with her fan, meaning:: "Something doesn't smell good here" If she walked from side to side hitting the palm of her hand with the fan, it meant: "Be careful, honey, the "Chaperona" is coming" And finally, if she covered her mouth with the open fan and looked at him very suggestively she was sending him a kiss, and obviously, the gentleman knew he was the chosen one!