Resting Miserable Face

I was in a pub one evening 25 years ago this month.

A bloke at the bar said to me,
‘Cheer up love, it might never happen’

I replied that it was my mom’s funeral the following day.

He was absolutely mortified.

Kate1949

Someone said to me recently 'You always look scared.' That's because I mostly am!

Kate, it’s funny how often we say the same things (#anxiety - probably)

Someone I worked with said that I always either looked worried or angry.

And that probably did sum me up. Especially at that school!

Heavens, no.

Yes and we definitely shouldn't be thinking..

Yes, that's exactly it - if you were feeling down you aren't going to be cheered up by a comment like that, and if you were perfectly happy it would just bring you down.

Idiots. And yes, it's only women who get it, I think. Because our very purpose is to look good at all times ?.

It does annoy me that it's nearly always women that get these comments. Yes I get it when I'm thinking about something. I was perfectly okay until I got the comment lol.

My husband has a miserable expression and it's difficult to tell if he's happy. It really annoys him if people comment, because he can't help it.
I have a sombre face. I have friends who always look like they are smiling and cheerful. I'd love to be like that. But we can't really change our natural expression.
i often wonder how presenters like Lorraine Kelly manage to smile all through their programme.

Thank you everyone for your advice/comments. It's a comfort to know other people suffer these comments. I suppose the thing is never to judge someone by their expression!

Why are people so rude?

Meryl My daughter said to me recently 'You don't look very happy.' I said I was OK. She said 'Tell your face'.

My resting face looks miserable and I can’t do a good smile for a photo because my teeth are so short, photographers even agree.
My hairdresser’s resting face always looks as if he is smiling, his mouth really goes up at the corners. Could be at a disadvantage I suppose in certain circumstances.

I’m the opposite apparently! My relaxed face must be happy not sad. Strangers smile back at me all the time and friends always comment that I have a friendly face. I sometimes tell hubby off for his cross or worried face. He looks so much better when he’s happy or smiling. Think I developed it when a teacher in a secondary school- part of the ‘I’m in charge/ but friendly’ tactic. Teachers need to develop great acting skills to be effective!

I still have the report written by the Primary School headmaster when I was 7!
‘I never see Ladyleftfield smiling in the playground. Surely life can’t be that serious for a seven year old.’

Oh yes, I definitely have a miserable relaxed face. I once passed a homeless man who said ‘cheer up love, it might never happen’

I used to be told I looked either miserable or cross and so much better when I smiled. I know I did. Retirement and the consequent disappearance of so much stress has really changed that. And I have found that wearing a nice (not dark) red lipstick makes me look so much more cheerful.

My son says I am constantly frowning but my eyesight isn’t as good as it was so I tend to peer at things ! That’s my excuse any way for the tram lines between my eyebrows !

I am also miserable looking although I am a happy and generally cheerful person. I admit I sometimes get cross about politics and a few other things and when I do I probably look cross but it seems that the rest of the time, unless I am falling about laughing, I must look miserable.

Even as a child I'd be sitting quietly in the tram on my way to school to be told by an adult "Cheer up hen, it'll maybe no happen" I often got comments like that.

Perhaps it is because I am so miserable looking that I have always been a bit suspicious of folk who seem to smile all the time. I think it exudes insincerity and I tend to think of these far too smiley folk as putting on an act, although I must admit I have got used to Professor Brian Cox and think he is absolutely genuine. I did once hear him say in an interview that he got a lot of criticism for smiling too much, so I'm sure he just can't help it, just like I can't help looking miserable, even when I'm not.

About 10 years ago, yes about 10 years ago, I was sitting next to a little boy and my GC’s school concert. He turned to me, and asked “why are you so sad?”. Even my GC have asked me that. I took them to MacDs and while at the table, my sweet little GD asked me “why are you so sad Nan?” - it must be my deep marionette lines? Might consider fillers…

I have an idea. I’ll find some badge manufacturer and have some big yellow badges made with I’m a very cheerful person written on them! We could start a club!

Oh how well I know the feeling! People assume I am a miserable so and so because of my miserable looking face. My husband has such a cheery face and everyone is drawn to him which is a laugh because I’d help anybody and he definitely wouldn’t! No justice……

My mother used to comment on my ‘stage smile’. She could tell if it wasn’t genuine. Now I don’t bother, so I probably do look miserable.

It’s like when you hear the phrase cheer up it may never happen such a stupid saying! I remember quite clearly a few years ago a woman staff member said it to a customer who had walked by her! She turned and faced her and said it already has I’ve just lost my husband!

I agree Doodledog how dare people comment like that.
Is it a real thing that upsets you?
I found it easy to look unwell as a child, if I wanted the day off. I was very pale faced which helped my cause
Aren't most people's faces in repose rather sombte?
An artist who drew portraits of my children, explained why they aren't smiling. Only photographs , a snapshot in time captures a smile. If you sit for an artist, you cannot keep a smile on your face.
Save your happy smiles for real reasons. Don't be pressured into keeping up a fake one

Kate1949
My daughter claims I have just the opposite. She says it’s a dont even think about it face ?

Why do people think that women should constantly be beaming from ear to ear? We are not supposed to be decorative objects, are we? Also, what gives people the idea that they have a right to comment on someone else's appearance? It's so rude.

I have wondered about getting my marionette lines done too, but I'm scared that I'd go to someone who made a mess of things.