RBF is defined by Urban Dictionary as: “A person, girl especially, whose regular facial expression makes them look like a b****.” It is a common phrase to describe someone whose face naturally falls into a mad/sad-looking expression, even when there is most likely nothing actually wrong with them.

I myself suffer from a bad case of RBF, and have all of my life. Unless I constantly smile, it is likely that I look plain mad at the world. However, growing up this term was not yet created. Because of this, I had no explanation for my sad face and was constantly frustrated trying to help people understand. (“It’s just my face! I promise!”)

Thankfully, nowadays the invention of the RBF meaning is present and well-known amongst our society. This has helped me compile a list of experiences that I have suffered due to this condition, (symptoms, you may say) purely in the hope that those with RBF can come together and feel less dang exasperated. And if you’re reading and find you’ve dealt with many of these things before as well…feel free to diagnose yourself with a case of RBF at the end of the article.

1. Random people always tell you to smile.

"Hey now...where's that smile?" "Come on you, give me a smile!" For some reason, I feel like this always happens with old men. Look here Sir, I will smile when I want to. And you telling me to smile will make me NOT want to smile even more. Please don't.

2. Your friends have told you: "Before I knew you I thought you were scary..."

This is the bane of my existence. SO many of my closest friends have told me this before, or at least something similar. To be honest it used to hurt my feelings a little. But now it just makes me proud that I tricked them into being my friend.

3. People get confused when you're being serious or sarcastic.

"Wait, are you being serious right now?" If someone doesn't know me well enough, it's very likely that they'll get confused when I'm being sarcastic and think I'm mad at them. Literally everyone can get away with sarcasm except when you have RBF.

4. Your death glare can literally kill.

If your normal face is scary already...imagine what your death glare could do.

5. You intimidate cute boys on the daily.

If you have RBF it unfortunately might also be the case that you don't get asked out much. Not because you're not pretty or undesirable, but because you're just the opposite and intimidating AF. (In this case it might be good to try to smile more).

6. You get asked "Are you okay?" all the freakin' time.

You could be in the best mood in the world, minding your own business, and someone will pop this lovely question at ya. Good mood instantly demolished.

7. Your face makes you look mean, but you really think about butterflies and unicorns 90% of the time.

If you have RBF, you're most likely a super chill person with really happy thoughts, who just doesn't feel the need to smile every single moment of every day. But you're likely thinking about puppies a lot, yes.

8. If you're doing a presentation/interview/or are in a social event, you have to try extra hard to look happy.

Smiling for long periods of time...the most exhausting notion ever.

9. Always having to apologize for your face.

"I'm sorry...it's just like that." Isn't it so wrong to have to apologize for YOUR OWN FACE. ?!

10. Parents and teachers think you have an attitude problem.

It's a good thing we can prove our RB-face wrong by exceptional behavior and good grades. Otherwise we'd be in detention everyday.

11. Finally owning the RBF.

There comes a point when you get fed up with all of these things and realize your RBF is part of who you are. And that at the end of the day, there's no point in trying to change it. Besides, RBF also stands for Royal Beautiful Female, right?