the theme song for this post is the third track on the killers’ hot fuss album
17 07 2007Although I was painfully shy for most of my childhood (and again for a couple dark years of my adult life), I normally try to be a fairly outgoing guy. Not “in your face with a ton to say within five seconds of meeting you” outgoing, but I don’t usually have a problem saying hello to a stranger (even though I’m terrible at small talk). If you’ve ever read any tips on how to be more outgoing, one thing that you’ll always find is stressed is that you should smile more. As strange as it sounds, I think I might need some work in this area.
Obviously I know how to smile, and thanks to three years of braces and otherwise thorough oral hygiene practices, there’s nothing about my smile that I think is embarrassing. The problem for me is protocol for smiling at strangers - I don’t feel like I have a good smile without showing my teeth, but if I’m full-on cheesing it for no reason, I think it might make me look like a Joker-esque sociopath.
So, how to find a happy medium? I’m not sure. I think I’m likely to creep some people out if I am practicing various fractional levels of smiling to see what kind of reaction I get. I guess the other option is to not smile at anyone, but that makes me seem like a jerk. Although I think my girlfriend might prefer that option, since I pretty much only smile at strangers if they have a vagina. It’s not a flirty thing, since I will smile just as much at some 80 yr old lady buying groceries as I will at a cute 21 yr old who is trying to get by me in a crowded bar. Okay, maybe not just as much, but it’s pretty close. Or maybe I’m just over-analyzing this, as I’ve been known to do with some things, and no one is even paying attention to me.
If nothing else, I know what face not to make. Ever, under any circumstances.
That workout thing is hilarious!!
I know what you mean about the smile thing. I have a tendency to do the smile where I kind of lift my chin up while pressing my lips together, which I figured out makes me look like I have no lips and even a little chipmunkish. And like I’m not even really smiling, almost like I’m disappointed in the person I’m supposed to be trying to smile at. My fake passerby smile sucks, I can’t fake a good smile. I think that’s why most of my pictures suck unless I’m caught off guard. You aren’t the only over analytical one of the bunch.
Instead, I try to look pissed off or busy so people will leave me alone (I know, how nice and personable of me). Most everyone probably thinks I’m a really mean person, but I honestly think at the end of the day, no remembers my face anyway.
Actually, at the end of the day I bet people are trying to forget your face. Ha ha! ZING!
I love to smile! Full on and beaming. Especially to strangers. I smile real big and make eye contact and enjoy watching people’s somewhat startled and pleasantly surprised reactions. It really seems to work for me, but I am short and non-intimidating. I think I would be terrified if some 6 foot whatever guy was looking down on me with a huge grin on his face- like karate chop to the balls and run kind of scared. So watch out.
Generally I am a person who wears a smile as an accessory to sometimes hide my discomfort in the public realm.Innately I am an introvert so I find that my smile helps to make me more at ease with having to deal with public situations such as my job (I work in retail) and parties.My sympathy is with you when it comes to small talk since I too am not much of a small talker when it comes to things such as the weather I really could care less.I try to be outgoing to get myself out of my comfort zone and to get to know others,but still many conversations are simply excruciating and awkward.I have to say my smile endears others to me and makes my discomfort far less noticeable.All in all a smile is a wonderful thing!
Your post inspired me to use my comment as a post,Thank You!Keep Smiling!
Amy, that is exactly the sort of situation I’m trying to avoid. Also, as a married woman, I don’t think you need to be karate chopping anyone’s balls. I would think a kick would be more appropriate, because you don’t want to have to go home and tell your husband that you had your hand on another guy’s junk.
That workout video really takes the cake. The creepiest (but funniest) one I’ve seen to date. Anyway, try the half-smile. It usually manages to come across as sexy and debonair. Usually. G’luck with the smiles