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Anyone else always been told to smile?

BeaE

At every stage in my life someone has told me to smile or commented on my facial expression in a similar way.

The first time I remember this was a comment made by a girl at nursery.

During high school multiple teachers directly told me to smile, or singled me out and directed a joke at me to try and make me laugh. My mum ended up having school put a note on the register telling teachers not to tell me to smile or cheer up!

During school photos, I always received comments like 'you can look happier than that'.

Most recently, people at uni (and to a lesser extent at work) have misinterpreted my expressions, commenting on me 'trying not to laugh', or looking 'terrified', even when I'm actively trying to make the right face.

I'm now wondering if I'm always making the 'wrong' face, and it's only occasionally that people comment.

I don't think anyone means any harm by these sorts of comments, but it's getting pretty annoying at this point and I never know how to reply. I'd never comment on someone's facial expression, and find it very odd that people so frequently comment on mine. Has anyone else experienced this/got any insights? It's pretty random, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's unique to me!

Parents

  • I often used to be told to smile or cheer up (it may never happen) when I was younger. I look like I want to kill someone in my first school photo at four years old. I have to ‘set’ my face when I leave the house because my normal face concerns other people. The advantage of being older now is that people don’t bother so much about my face.

    To all who have passport/driving licence photos which don’t reflect what you really look like. GET OVER IT! It is an accurate representation of your face which security/customs/police use to identify you. That is what you look like! (said the comedian Michael McIntyre, or he said something similar) Sweat smile 

Reply

  • I often used to be told to smile or cheer up (it may never happen) when I was younger. I look like I want to kill someone in my first school photo at four years old. I have to ‘set’ my face when I leave the house because my normal face concerns other people. The advantage of being older now is that people don’t bother so much about my face.

    To all who have passport/driving licence photos which don’t reflect what you really look like. GET OVER IT! It is an accurate representation of your face which security/customs/police use to identify you. That is what you look like! (said the comedian Michael McIntyre, or he said something similar) Sweat smile 

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