Those people are not only wrong, but mega-wrong!
I mentioned this issue back in last year's blog post about the 2012 Summer Olympics (part 4) at http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2012/08/2012-london-olympics.html
I sometimes hear people say nonsense like "facial expressions say it all".
No it doesn't. Sometimes, they say NOTHING at all!
But USA gymnast McKayla Maroney has been getting lots of flack over her "serious looking" facial expressions.
and a few paragraphs later, I mentioned this
Look, I've known people who look "grumpy" or "overly serious" when I first met them, but when you get to know them, they're really nice people. They just have a tendency to frown.
I had the opposite issue. I had people asking me in middle school "why are you smiling so much" when I didn't even know I was smiling! Honest! I don't spend much time paying attention to my facial expression.
For some reason, that happened more often at middle schools more than anywhere else. Even as a sub teacher, I got asked "why are you always smiling" in middle schools more than elementary or high schools.
For example, at Niu Valley Middle School, when 2 boys got of control, and I called security to come and get those boys out of the class. After I made the phone call, I heard a girl say "look, the teacher is still smiling through all this". The reality was that I wasn't even close to feeling happy at that moment! I was really irritated that those 2 boys were still play-fighting and trash talking even after I asked them to re-focus on their class-work. I could yell, but really, I know that yelling would be considered "entertainment" to the class!
But yeah, I was accused of smiling, when I was really frustrated inside.
That tells you that facial expressions TELLS YOU NOTHING and can easily fool those chumps who think "facial expressions say it all"
I also had an opposite problem too. When I used to watch TV more often, I dont always look directly at the TV, but I'm paying attention to what's being said! And yet, people assume I'm bored or not watching!
Or I've been accused of being "bored" because I don't have the "proper" facial expressions when I'm in a conversation! As I said, I don't spend much time paying attention to my facial expression.
Or I have been accused of "being scared" when I felt absolutely zero fear on the inside. But again, my facial expressions and/or body language has been misinterpreted as "fear" even when I wasn't even afraid. As I said, I don't spend much time paying attention to my facial expression.
As I'm getting older, I do realize I have to pay more attention to my facial expressions, otherwise, other people will get the wrong impressions!
But don't assume that you know what the person is feeling just on facial expressions alone.
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Another thing: I remember reading about this common scenario : girl smiles, the boy thinks that means she wants to have sex with him. THAT, is a classic example of someone misinterpreting another person's facial expression!
Now, you understand my earlier point?
