I was accused of being difficult to approach in high school. People thought I was mean, exclusive, intimidating, and snotty. They were people who did not know me well I might add. I’m clearly none of those things. But when a number of people tell you that you look angry, eventually you’ll start looking in the mirror and begin wondering why this is.
I decided it was because I rarely smiled…I mean why would I unless something hysterical was happening? My standard for humor is just way to high to be walking around with a goofy grin on my face all the time. But after some mirror gazing I determined my “thinking” face was too serious and mean looking. I needed to stop making that face.
So I changed it.
I smile now. I try to make it a point to look happy because I don’t want any passerby to think I’m going to beat them up. Or that I think they’re ugly. Or that they smell.
Even if they do.
This past weekend at a blog conference I realized there are grown women who still haven’t learned the art of pretending to like people when they meet them. Women who haven’t figured out how to mask their confusion when approached by strangers.
I put together this video because I’m a giver. I will share my secrets with you and you will succeed at life.
{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }
BWHAHAHA I have never seen you make that face.. but I would laugh if I did
this is amaaaazing.
Dying. Over. Here.
My husband even got a good laugh. The, “that’s what Jesus would want you to do” made us both laugh. out. loud.
Thanks in advance for not giving me that face when I come up to you and say “You don’t know me, but I LOVE your blog!!” Because I’m so going to be one of those people. :-)
Hahaha! I’m wondering if this could have been geared towards anyone in particular?
Very funny :)
I don’t know, I kinda like the ugly face.
I kinda want to slap some of the faces I see other women give. You are right – they should have learned better by now. :)
Haha… I completely understand.
I’ve had SO many people say to me over the years: “Holy shit, I wouldn’t want to cross you!” or “I’m so glad I’m on your good side.” What the heck? I hate confrontation and have never told off anyone. Apparently, it’s my “1 eyebrow up & 1 eyebrow down” look that I give. I got a lot of “good student, bad attitude” report cards because of it too.
My 2yr old son flash me the exact same look last week for the first time. Ah crap – it’s going to be fun dealing with HIS teachers now. LOL
That is too funny! What an important lesson ;)
Next you should do one on how to subtly say some’s a moron without that face so they don’t catch on. That’s a lesson we can all use!
This is great. I have been accused about ten million times of not having a friendly face when I am not actively talking to someone. My husbands says that only a very brave person would approach me. Sometimes I am totally fine with that but I am going to have to start working on this before my first blog conference this summer. Especially if it is what Jesus wants.
Good God, I miss you already.
That was hilarious!
I am so glad you posted this! I feel confident that I can fake anyone out now.
Recently I was given a plate of lettuce with a few shrimp on it and told it was lunch.
I made that face.
Love you and this video.
Haha! You mean a plate filled with lettuce and almonds doesn’t do it for you?
How about a mouth filled with glass? ;)
In my defense, the glass was covered in chocolate.
One of the funniest moments of the week. Well not funny that you ate glass but funny and odd that it actually happened.
LOVE IT.
You my friend are making the blogosphere a better place- one smile at a time. Jesus thanks you, and so do I.
I heart the video, and especially love Tiffany’s comment.
I have been on the fence about conferences because I don’t so much want to encounter *that face.* But now that I know you are starting the movement to end it, I might just sign myself up!
Hilarious! (and probably much needed) :)
Love, Love, Love it!
Someone accused me of making a “Butt face” at the party last night. Still trying to figure out what that one was.
Oh my, this was so fitting. My daughter and I were just talking about this subject today. We were on the way to Borders to see if my book was on the shelves, and she said, “Mom, smile. I like it when you smile at me instead of frowning.” I knew exactly what she meant. I’m so prone to a frustrated face. I’ve caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and been horrified at how mad I looked. So I’m working on this. I told my daughter to whisper “expression” if she catches me making my ugly face. LOL! Especially now that I’ll be doing booksignings and things, I really need to work on having a happy, approachable face.
When I’m thinking, I have an expression on my face that doesn’t make me seem like a friendly person. I should start thinking with a smile on my face..
Great post!
I guess I’ll have to practice my smiling face before I go to BlogHer.
People in high school always thought I was stuck up. The truth was, I didn’t think very highly of myself at all. It’s odd the impressions that people get!
I suppose it would be rude of me to send this out to the people I know who do, in fact, make that face pretty often. I’m pretty sure it is some version of a blank face for them. Scary.
That was fantastic, you should get some kind of award for it….it’s what Jesus would want:)
Thanks for making me laugh! My husband is actually one of these people. Always looks mad when he’s not animated. Nicest person on the planet, but between his size and his expression, not many would be brave enough to approach him.
Perhaps I’ll share this with him – I’m sure he wouldn’t take it the wrong way!
My daughter practices her smiles. She’s six. “Mom, more teeth or less teeth? How about this? How about no teeth? A little teeth or a lot of teeth? Does this look fake?” I have no idea where she got this from or why she does it.
The fact that you tagged this video “your face” makes me laugh until I cry.
you slay me ;-) adorable girl
That is hilarious!
I’ve been told on more than one occasion that their first impression of me was that I was snotty just because I was quiet (maybe I was sporting that face!) so I will have to practice before BBC!
Thanks for the laugh!
I laughed so hard, I cried!!! You are fricken hilarious lady!! I will remember this video when I got to Bloggy Bootcamp Boston next month. LMAO…
I SOOOO needed that for this Monday. :)
This made me laugh out loud because I have the same problem. Especially back in middle/high school. My mom actually bought me a pin I used to wear that said “I AM smiling”.
Hahahaha! My family used to call me the “ice queen” in high school because I apparently kept a frozen, aloof look on my face. I am a giant dork. Now I greet people with freakish abandon, sometimes hugging strangers and even doling out random compliments. Damn it, I am friendly. Love meeeee! Excellent tutorial.
“It’s what Jesus would want” – full on burst out laughing in the middle of my office. I hope no one heard me. Even though they did.
Sometimes I hate other women for making faces like that. Because sometimes they seriously do. Obviously, or else you would not have made this video.
I learned a long time ago to just smile at people all the time…and because of my dumb firewall I cannot view the video..>BOO ON FIREWALLS> but I can only imagine.
but I’m glad you smile now…even if I smell when we meet ;)
Well you do have a very pretty smile.
Beyond awesome.
I have one of those faces. I don’t know what people mean, but after enough of a lifetime of people saying that to you, you have to believe them
I make myself smile. It feels stupid, but? What the heck. Better than people coming up to you asking, “is something wrong?”
Well this video made me smile! ;)
I’m so with you. Why. Why does this happen? If we’re in the social media business we all need to the learn the basics of what social means. And clearly *that* face just doesn’t fit. Thank you Kat for saying what I wanted to expres many times this weekend. *Smile* and many more *Smiles* to you.
You’re a nut, you know that? This one is ROFL good. eeheeheeeheeee. ROFL!
I just peed my pants. Not kidding.
SO good! I’m going to make my husband watch this, he has the gift of making the most appalling faces when talking to someone….and when I call him on it, he threatens that he is going to get botox so that his face is frozen in some unnatural surprised look. The sad thing? That would probably be preferable! haha
Love this! Totally made me giggle at work. Thanks for making my Monday a good one. ;-)
Ha, rock on. My sister gets shit from people because she had one of those faces as her normal face. I am sending her your video right away.
Actually, I am making it the video of the week for my blog, if its all right with you Mama!
PS, if I met you I would totally make a nice happy face, because you are awesome!
I LOVE THIS! I used to have a “serious” face. I’ve seen it in pictures that are taken when I am not looking. My mom used to tell me I look stuck up. And she knew that I wasn’t. Strangely, I find the culprit for me is that I am an intense observer. I scan my surroundings and soak up every detail and while doing so, have a HEINOUS look on my face! I notice other people doing this and I have compassion for them now. I LOVE people! And reminding myself that I am all about de love dawling as I go out into the world has put a huge smile on my face that has changed my experiences. Still though there are people who won’t or can’t give that smile back. I send them good juju and know that they must be “working on it”. It truly is an inside job. Also, someone may just be having a bad day. LOVE your video. Hopefully we will be able to connect at the next conference SMILING AWAY!
Hilarious! I love your vlogs. They always make me SMILE! :)
You totally made me smile :)
I came from Facebook and I love this. So very apt.
This? Amazing. I may have peed myself a little bit. I said A LITTLE BIT. Don’t make that face at me!
OH, I love it! I meet & talk with people all day long. I wish this video was a requirement :)
Absolutely priceless! This PSA should be broadcast as you walk into conferences!!
This was fabulous. I think the only thing better would have been to actually witness the face you are referring to in person.
I had the same problem in high school. Then eventually, when I went to work, I learnt the art of “pretending to like people”. Then I lost it again while home alone with two children. Time to get it back, perhaps. But then again, maybe I’ll be OK as long as I hide behind my computer screen….
Loved your post!
i made that face… THAT face this morning, while changing my son’s diaper. and then again when he told me he wanted fruit snacks for breakfast. and then when i looked at the clock and realize i ran out of time to take a shower. so now, if i leave the house today, people will be making THAT face at me because i smell.
I have bitch face. It’s just who I am….I have to smile like a fool to have have that face.
You just made me pee my pants.
LOL. This was great!
Sadly, I have seen that face. Not on you, but I have seen it at conferences and it sucks.
ps Not sure if it was your intention, but about fell off my chair with your closing. “It’s what Jesus would want.” Awesomeness :)
I do that too!! I’ve especially been known to do that to Walmart greeters… and my mother in law.
This totally cheered up my day!!
Hahaha, I’m so glad someone passed this along to me. I’m about to go to BlogHer and I really hope people have seen this.
It’s not my face I’m afraid of . . . it’s other people’s faces!