I recall many times, while growing up, that I would be upset with something my dad had done. I might even be fuming at something he had just said to me, but then we were going into a public situation and dad expected me to put a smile on my face. I can look at pictures, during my teen years, where I am smiling, but I remember that at that moment, I was feeling something very different from what my face expressed.
Author Susan Cain points out that Americans smile more than any society on earth. She states that in Japan, India, Iran, Argentina, South Korea, and the Maldives, “smiling is viewed as dishonest, foolish, or both.” She goes on to say that many societies believe that expressing happiness demonstrates selfishness and shallowness.
It was interesting to read that when a new McDonalds opened up in Russia, local workers were bemused by employee cheeriness. One local radio show asked the question, “What is this American smile? They stated, “We are all serious about life.” One employee commented, “We were always a little bit afraid of America’s smile.”
What an interesting perspective. I wonder – do we put on a fake smile, even when we are unhappy because we believe it is expected of us? And if so, how does that dishonesty, over time, impact our very soul? Wouldn’t it be more beneficial if we were kinder to ourselves by being honest about our feelings?
Romans 12:15 encourages us to be genuine about how we are feeling. Paul writes, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn.” In other words, be genuine with each other. We shouldn’t have to fake it. I encourage you to do your best to be “real” today.