some people wear their smiles like a disguise, those people who smile a lot, watch their eyes, i know cause im like that a lot, you think everything is ok and it is til its not.
~ ani difranco

Do you ever just smile? Because its easier to fake happiness then deal with being upset. Easier to be passive, and bypass aggressive?

When someone casually asks, How are you doing?

It is not socially acceptable to respond, Well, my goldfish just died, I stubbed my toe last night and it still hurts, and I have a migraine coming on from the plethora of useless questions Im asked throughout the day.

What would people think of you if you countered in this manner – even if it is the truth? No, instead you are required by the keepers of the social norm to reply, Fine, and you? So whomever asked can feign fine-nes as well.

So, maybe we all are guilty of wearing our smiles like disguises. We put on a smile and pretend to the world that everything is peachy-keen, because to do otherwise would somehow offend the masses. Discontent in not socially acceptable. And voicing said dissatisfaction, well that is societal suicide. You are then labeled as un-happy or emotional or, worst of all, bearing resemblance to a female-type-dog. And truthful, it is easier to put on that tried-and-true smile, and fake contentment, then deal with the communal reaction to your unhappiness.

So then, why do we feel obligated to ask people how they are? You bump into someone whom you havent seen in a while, and the first words out of your mouth are, How are you? They jump out there into the void before you have time to think about what you are saying. And then you sit there annoyed, because this person, this inconsiderate person, actually has the nerve to take your precious time and answer the question youve nonchalantly asked them.

So the question now is, why ask, if you dont really want to know?

~ ~ ~

Quotable Thoughts: a look at the words of wisdom from others, with a twist of personal commentary, appears every Tuesday right here at iconoclastic