Smile for Me
People think they already know someone if that person
smiles at them, even if it’s an absolute stranger.
The theory: Scientists believe the need to bond is rooted
in our evolutionary past. Survival was more likely when
people combined forces, so humans acquired the smile as a
way to signal friendliness and to induce an agreeable
sense of shared history, whether there was one or not.
Today, when someone smiles, a glum mood is lifted, an
apology is accepted, a person’s shaky self-confidence
gets a boost, a deal is struck, a physical attraction
is communicated.
But change the cast of a smile and the consequences shift.
A rival grins to get under your skin; a bully smirks to
unsettle his mark. Understanding the nuances helps ensure
that you send—and receive—the right mouth message.
Women smile significantly more than men do, especially in
their late teens and as young adults.
No surprise: It’s a time when each gender is sending out
heavy sexual signals. Also, males are less likely to
return a smile, especially to another guy.
Blame testosterone: Studies show that men with high
levels are averse to smiling. But there are times
when smiling is the best way to convey masculinity.
When men smile under duress or laugh at fear,
they’re showing that everything is under control.