I remember distinctly one day when I was in kindergarten, a little boy asking me why I smile all the time. I was very quiet back then. In fact, I was asked several times in my first year or two of school if I could talk. Thus, I cannot recall exactly how I answered him - or if I even answered him at all - but my guess is that I went to my default answer of, "I don't know." And to this day, I still do not have the slightest clue as to way I smile so excessively.
Resting bitch face has become an absolute phenomenon over the past few years. According to Urban Dictionary, the top definition for resting bitch face is "a person, usually a girl, who naturally looks mean when her face is expressionless, without meaning to. This is a concept that is slightly difficult for me to grasp, however, because at least 9/10 I am smiling. That is the reason I decided to start identifying myself as being a resting smiler.
Am I always happy when I smile? No. Do I smile nervously? Sometimes. Do I smile genuinely? Absolutely. Do I smile at myself in the mirror? Yes, sir. Do I smile at people I don't know? Guilty. Do I smile at inanimate objects? Most likely.
So why is the go-to face for many women resting bitch face? Who knows. I just know that I am not one of those women. There have been times when I've smiled out of pure joy, and other times when I have smiled as my heart was breaking. I know there have to be others out there - especially girls - who struggle with the trials and tribulations of resting smiley face.
Some of the symptoms of resting smiley face include, but are not limited to:
*Answering "I don't know" when people ask why you are laughing when nothing funny has happened
*Being unusually good at the customer service aspects of retail or food service
*Embarrassment when you unable to cry at funerals, but laugh while playing Cards Against Humanity
*Smiling at animals
*Being told that you have a "pleasant disposition"
*Having a strong selfie game
and last but not least:
*completely identifying with Buddy the Elf, from the movie, "Elf."
If you are struggling with resting smiley face, know that you are not alone, and on a positive note? Store greeters everywhere would KILL to have your face. Remember that as you vainly stare at yourself in every window you pass on the street. Resting smiley face is not something to be ashamed of, but something to be PROUD of. Own it, and slay, baby, slay!
