Genuine Smile

A Sudani woman with genuine smile

Smile is really contagious. You receive smile in return from the person you smile at. But sometimes, fake smiles are also exchanged as formality or avoiding the other person letting down. It's very important to know which facial muscles are involved that makes the difference between fake and genuine smile.

A thin band of Zomgatic muscles on both side of face arising from Zygomatic bone i.e. near ears and merging into Orbicularis Oris (circular muscles around mouth) and skin of mouth corners also contracts and pulls edges of lips upwards while smiling.

When we watch genuine smile; it definite spells cast magic. Genuine, warm and friendly smile originates from bottom of heart. Telling sign of it are crinkled eyes, crow's feet in area between eyes and ears and no signs of tension on forehead. Genuine smile appears and fades away gradually. Emotional centers inside brain controls genuine smile.

Originality lasts longer like lingering fragrance of blossom. Same principle applies to expression of emotions also. Crocodile’s tears don’t last longer so does the fake smile.

One has to put lot of efforts in fake smiling; forcefully pulling back edges of lips and showing teeth by keeping eyes wide open i.e. no crinkling or crow's feet. Fake smile appears shallow and it drifts away quickly as if it is purposefully put on face.

You may find sales persons, professionals, politicians, actors and celebrities quite often putting fake smile on their faces. They are really good at it.

Which is a genuine smile? Left or right?

Can you really spot genuine smile? I think you can. Do check your personal score through this test created by BBC Science. Also watch this video by Mr. Ehsan Hoque, Ph. D. Candidate at Affective Computing Group - MIT Media Lab.

Related Articles:

1) Why we smile? 2) Asymmetrical Smile but not Contempt