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A smile is not just a sign of good mood and pleasure. For others, it can also be a signal of our goodwill, express regret or attract people to us. Ten reasons why smiling is better than frowning.
We know how to smile almost from birth. Smiling is part of a non-verbal language that is understood by anyone, anywhere in the world. Think back to your last trip to another country. By smiling, we can show that we need help or ask to make way for us. What else can a smile do? So smiling helps…
1. Earn the trust of others
In a world where it’s every man for himself, who do we trust? For example, those who smile. They send us a signal that we can rely on them and deal with them. It is believed that such people are happy to share anything with others – and according to financiers, they also cause generosity.
This kind of reaction on our part evokes a sense of camaraderie in those around us.
According to a study by economist Jorn Charlemann, smiling increases trust by 10%. For example, after seeing a photo of a smiling partner, people are more willing to enter into financial transactions.
2. Make amends for our mistakes
Forgot to buy an anniversary gift for your loved one? Missing the name of an important client or partner? Accidentally stepped on the foot of a small child? As a rule, in such situations, we smile embarrassedly, lower our eyes, sometimes let out a stupid laugh.
This reaction on our part creates a sense of camaraderie in those around us, which will help them more easily forgive our small mistakes (and sometimes serious misconduct).
3. Feel better
Sometimes a smile is a sign of politeness. And without showing it, we run the risk of regretting it. For example, if your friend suddenly discovers a discount coupon for a small amount and is very happy, you are unlikely to be able to fully share his feelings. But still smile, just because it’s polite.
Sometimes just a smile is enough to cheer yourself up.
Boston College specialist Marianne LaFrance conducted an experiment: she asked her participants to listen to other people’s good news with stone faces. As it turned out, such behavior causes a feeling of discomfort: it makes people worry that they give the impression of those who do not know how to be happy for others. By the way, women are more concerned about this.
4. Forget about grief
In psychology, there is a so-called feedback hypothesis. The essence of it is this: just as emotions affect our facial expression, in the same way, facial expressions affect our emotions. And this means that sometimes just smiling is enough to cheer yourself up and feel happier. Although, as you understand, not under any circumstances a smile can be appropriate and correctly interpreted by others.
5. Get to the bottom of things
When we are nervous, we become less attentive, see only what is happening right in front of us, and notice ideas only in the center of our consciousness. But often the solution to the problem is just on its periphery.
Smile. This will help you not only feel better, but also be more attentive and think more holistically. What is called, to see the forest, not the trees. The study found that participants who smiled before starting the test performed better on mindfulness tasks.
6. Look attractive
A woman’s smile has a magical effect on the opposite sex. In an experiment by Debra Walsh and Jay Hewitt, when a woman makes eye contact with a man, she is approached 20% of the time. When she also smiles at the same time, she arouses interest in 60% of cases.
Sometimes we try to hide our sad thoughts with a smile.
That is, a smile makes a woman more attractive in the eyes of men. But whether this rule works in the opposite direction is a big question. According to some experts, the less a man smiles, the more courageous and attractive he seems to the opposite sex.
7. Hide our thoughts
Sometimes, with the help of a smile, we try to hide our sad thoughts, a sad mood, or that the interlocutor and / or the topic of conversation is unpleasant for us. Most psychologists are convinced that a sincere smile never lies. How to recognize it?
It is generally accepted that only the corners of the mouth are “involved” with a fake one, and the corners of the eyes are also involved with a real one – which is commonly called a Duchenne smile (although some studies question that it cannot be “faked”).
Another sign of sincerity is considered if a person just breaks into a smile, and does not “put on” it instantly. In addition, a “slow” smile is more trustworthy and seems more attractive.
8. Make money
A study of economists has already been mentioned above, which estimated a smile as plus 10% to confidence. But is it possible to feel its advantage in terms of money? According to Katie Tidd and Joan Lockard, they did: back in 1978, they discovered that smiling waitresses get more tips.
In general, the service sector (hotel business, restaurants, air transportation, entertainment) involves the manifestation of certain emotions by employees when communicating with customers.
“Smile and the whole world will smile with you”
Psychologists call this “emotional labor” and warn that by regularly portraying feelings that you don’t really feel at the moment, you pave the way to burnout.
9. Make the whole world smile
Everyone has heard the expression: “Smile, and the whole world will smile with you. Cry and you will cry alone. Obviously, “the whole world” is an exaggeration.
However, as the study by Verlin Hinsz and Judit Thomhav has shown, this phrase is not without meaning at all. 50% of the “subjects” responded with a smile to a smile. But almost no one frowned in response.
10. Live longer
If none of the mentioned studies made you smile, think about the fact that it prolongs life. Here’s proof: in 1952, a baseball team was photographed. The smiling athletes in the picture outlived their comrades by an average of seven years. Maybe we should try to smile more often?
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