Just for perspective: I am a man in my mid-40s and for as long as i can remember i had this question… is it normal that i can shut my nose close just with some muscles?
I always wondered why some people hold their nose shut with their fingers while jumping into a pool or when exposed to some horrible smell… i never had this need. Changing my sons diapers? No problem! Cleaning the latrines while in the army? Just a breeze!
Ehm… yeah… just thought about this…
I mean, in all of those circumstances I just hold my breath. I’m certainly not wanting to breath in a bad smell through my mouth.
But if the question is can I elect to breath through my mouth without pinching my nose, the answer is yes. I wouldn’t describe it as “shutting my nose,” though, so maybe we’re not talking about the same thing.