Smile Like You Mean It

The faux-smile.

What is it?

You know.

We all know...because we all use it. It's that half smile. It's the grin that doesn't show teeth, but somehow constitutes as enough of a hello to substitute for the real thing. It's nonchalant, simple, and extremely versatile.

Option 1...the do I know you? faux-smile: It's often used in the most awkward of situations. For example, that guy/girl whose room mate we hooked up with last weekend. We kind of remember their face, as we ran past them on our way out the side door, totally disoriented. We tried to block out everything prior to the final steps of our walk-of-shame...and now, that face, the one of the receiver of this faux-smile, is somehow familiar.

Option 2...the is it okay to recognize eachother? faux-smile: This one is utilized when you definitely know each other. I, personally, am sometimes confused on whether or not I should officially recognize someone. From that professor who almost failed you, to that ex-best friend, to the ex of your new best friend who totally screwed him/her over...it's seen all to often on so many faces.

Option 3...the secretly disgusted faux-smile: We save this one for special circumstances. I'm often guilty of saving this one for the guys I loath most, but have too much pride to blantantly ignore. I may, secretly, desire nothing more than to act like he doesn't exist, but, unlike him, I do not validate myself by acting like a 12 year-old.

Let's start giving real smiles a whirl. They're so much more attractive.