In an episode of "The Middle," my favorite spastic, dorky, and lovable character Sue Heck conducts an experiment that aims to prove that smiling is contagious. To test this theory, Sue goes out and smiles at everyone she passes “thereby decreasing levels of worldwide unhappiness.” Her eager, uncomfortable, braces-filled smile shines at everyone she sees, resulting in mixed reactions. I was inspired by Sue, and set off to smile at every person I passed on campus.
I am a very sarcastic and blunt person. I am a realist, and I suffer from a bad case of resting b***h face. Sue is a bubbly girl who sees the good in everything, sometimes faulting on the side of naive. She exudes happiness at all times, and brightens the room with her clumsy charm. I wanted to see if I could channel Sue and become a perky, shining, optimistic person one smile at a time.
I got up one morning that I had deemed would be my smiled-filled day, feeling confident and (surprisingly) excited to take on this challenge. I decided to put my phone in my backpack so I couldn’t pretend to text while awkwardly passing strangers (which we all do, don’t lie). I looked straight ahead, attempted to have good posture and headed off to class. Usually my walk to class is when my resting b***h face really flares up, so I made a conscious effort to look as friendly as possible. I passed people walking by themselves and gleamed ear-to-ear at them, usually resulting in an uncomfortable half smile. Some people kept their eyes on their phones or locked on their shoes, but I still grinned at their emotionless faces.
As I got closer to campus my confidence weakened, as did my smile. Soon, I began to pass big groups and attempted to make eye contact with each frat guy, art major, and hover board rider, and gave a Sue Heck-inspired smile. Their faces reflected that what I thought was a pleasant warm greeting, was actually a deranged forced look.
By the end of the day, my cheeks were sore and I was exhausted (yes, happiness exhausted me), but I promised to try it again the next day. I awoke to a monsoon, so I figured my obnoxiously bright fifth grade umbrella was the only happiness coming from me that day. As a result of my vintage umbrella turning inside out in the storm and having to trudge back to my dorm unprotected, the next day I came down with (what my hypochondriac brain told me was) pneumonia. I may have spread a few germs, but definitely no happiness.
Each day following had a perfectly logical reason why smiling was out of the question. I completely failed (as many of the people who know me predicted). I thought at the end of this experiment I would conclude this article by saying something like I am really glad I did this and I have changed for the better; unfortunately this isn’t true. I ended feeling bitter, in need of a nap, and with a realization that I am no Sue. Fortunately for the world, there are Sue Hecks out there ready to spread unconditional joy.
If you are lucky enough to encounter a cheery Sue lookalike and she gives you one of her awkward grins, don’t hesitate to smile back. Maybe that goofy smile will feel contagious, if only, just for a moment.
