Do you smile when someone talks to you?

Weirdo · 2009-12-06T23:23:28+00:00

I have noticed that even when I feel totally not in the mood for socializing and/or kind of depressed and someone talks to me, I immediately reply with a smile. It's like a subconcious thing I can't control. Is it with everyone like that? Is it some kind of defense mechanism so others wouldn't see...

Started by Weirdo · Dec 6, 2009 · 41 replies

Notoriously Alone Dec 6, 2009 at 8:53 PM #21

ye its an automatic thing for me. Probably so that I give off a 'friendly vibe' and it will seem like I enjoy the conversation despite my silence.

illuminationSP Dec 6, 2009 at 10:45 PM #22

I act, since I usually don't allow people to know how I feel. Sometimes, it's just a privacy thing. When someone talks to me, I'm more surprised and nervous than anything and don't let them know that.

DebbieDowner Dec 6, 2009 at 11:02 PM #23

I think I don't smile enough..people have told me that when they first met me they thought I was cold or aloof or that I seemed like a bitch - which is totally NOT what I'm trying to project! And then after they got to know me they realized that i'm just really guarded and don't let people in very quickly...I WISH I could just smile more when I talk to people, even if it was just a nervous reaction, I hate having people think I'm not a nice girl...

SpLynx Dec 6, 2009 at 11:37 PM #24

Im the same way. It annoys me because I cant react with the appropriate emotions, I smile doesnt matter if the other person is talking about something sad or not. For example someone says they got hurt or something is aching but I am smiling like a stupid :S it is like you said something subconscious I cant control.

Lost_Soul Dec 7, 2009 at 12:28 AM #25

depends on who is talking to me, if iam comfortable i wont smile but i wont look angry either but if i feel nervous i can barely talk let alone smile lol, ive been told i look angry when iam like that........also being depressed doesnt help...........plus i dont talk much so my mouth isnt used to moving haha

Krista Dec 7, 2009 at 12:41 AM #26

Not at all, I do the same thing but mine is kinda out of nervousness of the situation. I smile because I'm uncomfortable and have nothing else to add to the conversation most of the time.

daniel_monster Dec 7, 2009 at 1:09 AM #27

Always! I never want to bum people out, even on my worst days

shore_of_glass Dec 7, 2009 at 6:07 AM #28

I'm like, complete silence and awkwardness and then if someone comes up to me I start smiling automaticaly. I think I really mean it, but its weird.

this_portrait Dec 7, 2009 at 6:41 AM #29

Maybe a little bit. When I go in for a job interview, or hell, even if I'm on a date, I tend to smile a little too much. It's so fake it's disgusting. Normally, though, I'll smile just a tiny bit so I don't come off as rude or bitchy. Unless, of course, I'm not in a good mood to begin with.

workout Dec 7, 2009 at 11:09 AM #30

Sometimes I grin so wide that it scares people off ..lol especially if they are talking serious stuff. Good God I can barely comprehend social situations..

dooby-duck Dec 7, 2009 at 11:35 AM #31

I can't help it, I'll smile and laugh in any situation no matter how serious. I also think that I overdo eye contact as well.

Flowers-Of-Bloom Dec 7, 2009 at 4:12 PM #32

Yes, I smile a lot. It's instinctive and completely insincere.

Predacon Dec 7, 2009 at 4:35 PM #33

Depends on the situation. Though when I'm buying or paying for something I usually try to be polite to the operator and smile back.

Tlachtgha Dec 7, 2009 at 5:38 PM #34

I find it very difficult to smile around people so I go around with a fixed, miserable-looking expression.🙂
It's a real problem I wish I could do something about.

talisman Dec 9, 2009 at 11:31 AM #35

I do this too. I try to stop, but it just happens. It can get very annoying.

humansrare Dec 9, 2009 at 1:41 PM #36

That's all I know how to do when talking to someone, to smile and nod, because I want them to like me. And to me likeable=nice.

Noca Dec 9, 2009 at 2:05 PM #37

If they smile, I might smile uncontrollably too.

Awkward Annie Dec 9, 2009 at 3:33 PM #38

I'm always being told by strangers to "cheer up". It drives me mad. I don't know how to naturally smile in front of a people I'm unfamiliar with. I try to but my eyes give it away and I end up looking really nervous so I mutter something and leave as soon as I can. Besides, a dour face usually stops people from talking to me which is fine by me (most of the time).

Tlachtgha Dec 9, 2009 at 3:44 PM #39

I'm always being told by strangers to "cheer up".

While walking along the quay in Waterford last Summer an old drunk man shouted at me "Cheer up, yeh miserable bastard. It might never happen!!!" 🙂
I was mortified - plenty of other people around.🙂

Mr isolated Dec 13, 2009 at 6:43 AM #40

.............

‹ Back to Social Anxiety Forum