To think people look serious and sad when they smile with their mouths closed?

[dylexihelp]

Pretty sure this is generational as a I grew up as part of Gen X and no one was self conscious about teeth.

But my DD's generation, they all do these sad, close mouthed smiles that makes it look like they aren't ever actually enjoying themselves.

Does anyone else feel like no teeth smiling makes people look sad?

But if they're smiling, however they do it how would they look sad?

This has overtones of 'cheer up luv'/policing expressions but tbh I dont see lots of sad-smile looking teens at all. Smiling with mouth closed isn't related to being young in any way. What about elders who do it?

Everyone has a way they smile. Its personal. & they likely dont smile in the same way all the time either, depending on situation.

As usual, Dee has said it perfectly, I have nothing to add.

I don't open my mouth when I smile because I was bullied as a child for marks on my teeth that had nothing to do with mouth hygiene.

I naturally smile with my mouth closed, smiling with my mouth open looks and feels really false for me. Nothing to do with my teeth and I'm not a teenager.
Commenting on how people smile (or don't smile) can make people feel really self conscious.

I feel like you're trying to accuse me of misogyny.

When I clearly didn't describe any sex marker of the people I referred to, beyond my daughter. I don't have a son so I cannot speak of my son's generation, not having one.

Here are two examples of smiles where I don't fee the 'smiler' looks genuinely happy.

They don't look ecstatic but they look content.

I agree. Victoria Beckham style. My DD has started doing the same. It’s not a real smile, it’s a posed face. The character of someone that you see, and happiness of a genuine smile, just isn’t there.

People with less than perfect teeth still look more attractive with they smile or laugh, in my opinion.

I look like a serial killer when I smile with my teeth showing

I always catch myself when I smile with teeth because I just don't like how I look with teeth showing. My canines are overly pointy in a way that looks fang-like and I just prefer not to draw attention to it.

I'd imagine a lot of people who do closed mouth smiles might have a similar gripe. It's unfortunate but peoples comfort is what's important and I certainly feel more comfortable smiling with a closed mouth.

I don't know how people smile displaying a load of teeth, it feels odd if I try to do it, I would have to pull my lips into all uncomfortable ways.

What a ridiculous thought!

people smile however they want and rightly so should not need to worry about folk like you when doing so!

I smile with my mouth shut . It’s the way my jaw/ mouth is built . I’m not sensitive about anything.

I don’t look sad, smily eye and smile lines in my cheeks.

I smile with my mouth closed and it has been commented on by others in RL. I don't think you're being "ridiculous" or "policing" anyone though. You just made an observation. Everyone so desperate to leap to offence these days.

I do it because I don't like how I look with my teeth on display. I'm quite introverted too, never really give too much of myself. Maybe that has something to do with it?

You've shown pics of two different celebrities, completely different ages, in completely unnatural situations, to try to back up your theory? It's not really showing the young people/sad smile. Michelle Pfeiffer is Gen X too by the way, she's in her 60's.

Dentists/braces/Invisalign are bloody expensive. I will continue to smile with my mouth closed to hide my sticking out teeth, and won’t care who thinks if I’m being serious and sad.

I'm so sorry that I haven't researched my theory to your standards.

I will of course come back once I've completed my thesis and have it peer reviewed before I think to trouble you again 😂

Every smile in a photo is a posed smile. And maybe people don’t care what you think is attractive and prefer smiling with their mouths closed.

Personally I’ve not noticed people smiling closed mouth any more or less than they did when I was young. Smile however you like and let others smile how they like. For what it’s worth, the photos you’ve shown look like people smiling normally. Not every situation/photo will want an OTT big hysterical grin. Maybe the photo shoot was looking for a more casual type of vibe.

Don't be shitty just because no one agrees with your bullshit post. And yes actually if you want to make a credible argument about sad faces, implying it's the younger generations, don't use pictures of middle aged celebrities to demonstrate it. It's a stupid comparison, almost as stupid as your post.

No I don't agree OP. In fact I don't even think it makes sense.

A smile is more about the whole face including (and actually mainly) the eyes.

If a smile is real it will show whether the teeth do or not.

Exactly.

😂

People are so triggered on this thread it's weirdly fascinating.

Well you sound just as bonkers as the person with the bin-liner/dishwasher thread . Must be the heat.

😂😂😂

I feel like you're trying to accuse me of misogyny.

🤔

so I am someone who has frequently been told I’m not smiling in the right way or looking miserable or looking funny when I’m happily minding my own business.so feel qualified to have an opinion.

This doesn’t have tones of “cheer up luv “ ,it is exactly that sentiment.