Eyes half closed, eyebrows raised, looking to the side, excessive blinking, eye roll. We've all seen it, we've all done it. We'll all been the recipient of at least one dirty look in our lives. But we've probably all thought we were the recipient of way more than we actually have gotten. I get very insecure about dirty looks, so I'm just as guilty as the next person. I always think people are giving me dirty looks. So let's be rational for the five minutes that it takes you to read this and talk about the ten much more realistic possibilities. Here's ten things my face was probably doing when you thought I gave you a dirty look:

1. Squinting Due to Sunlight

The sun was in my eyes so naturally I squinted to avoid the immense pain that staring into the light causes. Everyone does it, we crinkle up our face and squint our eyes to avoid that burning teary sensation that the sun inflicts on us.

2. I Had to Sneeze

You know that sneeze? The one hanging out in the back of your nostril but just won't come out. The face you make when you’re trying your absolute hardest to get that sneeze out is also a strong contender for what my face was really doing. Sneeze once. “Bless you!” Sneeze twice. “Bless you!” Sneeze… *everyone stares, anticipating the third sneeze* oh come on it’s right there… nope. Not coming. Relax your face and put your arm down disappointed that you only sneezed twice.

3. There's something in my eye

Something other than the sun was in my eyes. An eyelash, some mascara, a piece of dust, a bug, dirt, piece of a leaf, ash, maybe saw dust. I don’t know but there was something in my eye and it hurt.

4. I'm Just Very Confused

Whatever someone just said made absolutely no sense. No, this does not mean I’m giving you a dirty look because I think that you’re dumb. It means that I am completely confused by whatever you said or how you could think that. This look will likely be followed by a polite question in which I ask you to explain yourself. If you are in one of my classes this is likely the look you have misinterpreted.

5. My Food Tastes Awful

Scrounging up the will power to swallow that awful tasting piece of food i just put in my mouth. Maybe it was sour, maybe it was spicy and maybe it was just downright nasty. I probably decided to be a little too adventurous in the school dining hall and I regretted it immediately. I am certainly not making this look to express my distaste to the chef but honestly, I don’t think I can control that one.

6. Checking Out My Wrinkles

I might just be wrinkling up my face to see what lines have been forming lately. You never know and I don’t want to wake up one day wondering where on earth that wrinkle came from. I intend to look 19 forever so I’m just trying to ensure that I am achieving that goal.

7. I'm Absolutely Exhausted

Let's be honest, who gets enough sleep every night? Not me. I’m tired 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A friend pointed out to me that I don’t necessarily have “resting bitch face” but I’m tired all the time and just don’t pay attention to what my face is doing. Most likely I’m zoning out in your general direction. Maybe I’m day dreaming, because I sure as hell don’t get to dream at night. What’s sleep? 8 hours you say? Is that 8 hours a week or a month? Oh, a night? Ha.

8. The Dirty Look is For My Phone

them it wasn’t random because they just read something on their phone? That person who interjects is me. I’m in my only little 4.7 inch world most the time and I should probably draw away once in a while, I don’t. So that face, it’s a response to what was just posted on CNN’s twitter page, my little brother’s snapchat story or maybe my crazy cousin’s Facebook page.

9. Something Smells

Smell that? Ew. Too strong? Did a boy just walk past from the locker room? Sweat? Too much Axe body spray? That stinging pain when the horrific scent penetrates your nostril. Before you assume it’s a dirty look take a whiff, might just be a nasty smell.

10. You're Paranoid

Did you do something to warrant one? Honestly, I don’t think I know how to just “give a dirty look” even if you really do deserve it. I wouldn’t even if I could because what is my look going to do? I’ll tell you, nothing. I have basically 0 back-bone and will likely hide my face from you if you dislike me or I dislike you. If you did something to deserve a dirty look I probably don’t even know about it so you must just be paranoid.

Be nice! Love everyone! Respect other people and then you can be certain that the face I made was really just one of the things listed in 1-9. Scientists agree that 99% of dirty looks are misinterpreted. By scientists, I mean 5 of my friends who are biology majors but that counts right?