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Why Some Cultures Frown on Smiling (2016)

theatlantic.com

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Re: Why Some Cultures Frown on Smiling (2016)

#51

Post by amelius »

chrisbennet wrote: post #36
yorwba wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For me there's a big difference between someone flashing their teeth in a big grin, and a photo that freezes the moment in time. The longer I look at such a motionless smile, the sillier it seems. FWIW, I'm from Germany (way to the right on the graph) and probably somewhat of an outlier, since people kept asking me whether I was sad when I just made a neutral face. I ended up training myself to always curl my lips sl…

"Where would we be without humor?" "Germany"

I think Italians have less humor than Germans. Italian stand-up comedy is quite boring, from what I've seen so far.

Re: Why Some Cultures Frown on Smiling (2016)

#52

Post by tpeo »

I think people forget that, if by a "smile" we mean any showing of teeth, not all of them are created equal. And the impression they convey can radically change depending on facial expression. Some do look stupid, or dishonest.

Re: Why Some Cultures Frown on Smiling (2016)

#53

Post by nerdponx »

ScottBurson wrote: post #44
alsetmusic wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you’re on to something. A friend once described his reasons for moving from Manhattan. He said that he was depressed all the time and that he realized that everyone he knew was also depressed. Having grown up in a different part of the country, he saw that this was an environmental issue caused by his surroundings. He found that life was much more pleasant after relocating. Point being, tt often takes the abs…

I've never lived in NYC, but I did live in the Boston area for 10 years, then moved to Northern California. For a while I was flying back to Boston every couple of months. I definitely noticed the difference in mood in Boston Logan airport vs. San Jose. The grumpiness of Bostonians was particularly evident compared to the relaxed, upbeat mood of Californians. Maybe it's partly the weather, but I suspect it's also cul…

Interesting that Bostonians, as far as I can tell, tend to be grumpier than New Yorkers. Then again New Yorkers are probably just outright depressed, anxious, etc.

Re: Why Some Cultures Frown on Smiling (2016)

#54

Post by blubb-fish »

programmarchy wrote: post #33
aeriklawson wrote: post #32

There's a point to be made by (sometimes snarky) non-Americans about the stereotypical "dumb, always smiling" American - there are times when it is insincere or a bit unnecessary and I think that this is unique to America. I also find this stereotype to vary by location - it's more apparent when venturing down South, for example, but less so in a place like NYC. That being said, and this is anecdotal, but I've had ex…

I saw a lot of this with tourists posing for pictures at the 9/11 memorial in NYC. Cringe. There are times when it is absolutely inappropriate to smile.

Those "smiles" also don't seem to come from heart or being based on a philosophy of attempting to see the good in the world or empathizing socially. The stereotypical American smile is the smile of a salesman. It conveys this "I am a winner" attitude - no humbleness or sincerity.

Re: Why Some Cultures Frown on Smiling (2016)

#55

Post by blubb-fish »

teddyh wrote: post #17

> Why do some societies not encourage casual smiling? Because smiling is a thing you do (as opposed to something you actively avoid doing), and doing something with no reason is silly. > Russian women do not have to worry about being instructed by random men to “smile.” That’s also a very good reason.

The louder you laugh and the brighter you smile the more you seem like you really are very successful and very happy. This is what the US smile tries to communicate. It's super annoying to more humble and low key societies - but almost every culture has those handicaps - and I absolutely would call it that way. Some cultures seem to have strong urge to convey wealth with expensive and large cars or others expect you to eat everything they offer you when you are a guest etc.

Re: Why Some Cultures Frown on Smiling (2016)

#56

Post by bujak »

chrisbennet wrote: post #36
yorwba wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For me there's a big difference between someone flashing their teeth in a big grin, and a photo that freezes the moment in time. The longer I look at such a motionless smile, the sillier it seems. FWIW, I'm from Germany (way to the right on the graph) and probably somewhat of an outlier, since people kept asking me whether I was sad when I just made a neutral face. I ended up training myself to always curl my lips sl…

"Where would we be without humor?" "Germany"

This

Re: Why Some Cultures Frown on Smiling (2016)

#57

Post by develdevel »

DenisM wrote: post #22
dsabanin wrote: post #18

To me a much simpler explanation is that people in Russia are incredibly sad and life there is very sad and hard. However almost no one there realizes it until they get out for a prolonged period of time. Me and my wife were born and spent most of our life in Russia, we were pretty well of and yet since moving to US we realized how sad it actually was. The collective consciousness of Russia is still heavily polluted…

Ukraine was hit just as hard during the 20th century, if not harder, and yet I have observed the inhabitants of Kiev to be the most cheerful and smiling people (that was 20 years ago).

Maybe they were happy that they have finally got away from the sad Russians? (well, at least until 2014)

Re: Why Some Cultures Frown on Smiling (2016)

#60

Post by nine_k »

nerdponx wrote: post #53
ScottBurson wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've never lived in NYC, but I did live in the Boston area for 10 years, then moved to Northern California. For a while I was flying back to Boston every couple of months. I definitely noticed the difference in mood in Boston Logan airport vs. San Jose. The grumpiness of Bostonians was particularly evident compared to the relaxed, upbeat mood of Californians. Maybe it's partly the weather, but I suspect it's also cul…

Interesting that Bostonians, as far as I can tell, tend to be grumpier than New Yorkers. Then again New Yorkers are probably just outright depressed, anxious, etc.

We New Yorkers laugh at the notion of this! Sardonically, of course.
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