2006-11-26 19:31:56 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
As a way of trying to show the other person that they're not getting to them. It could be a way of intimidating the other person, saying "look, you're not scaring me at all."
And this might be a bit of a stretch, but maybe it's a left-over trait from our ancestors who probably bared their teeth to show their fangs. We don't have fangs anymore, but we may still have a neurological response to anger which triggers certain muscle movements, i.e. pulling cheeks back to reveal teeth.
2006-11-26 19:43:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure reasons vary depending on the situation and the person, but I would think smiling would be a defense mechanism that some people might employ when confronted with something they don't like. If someone says something to make you angry, a you may not immediately know how to respond, but you definitely do not want the antagonist to know they have succeeded in upsetting you.
Another circumstance could be if someone were acting in a passive aggressive manner - trying to irritate you in subtle ways while maintaining the appearance of kindness.
Just some ideas.
2006-11-27 03:47:25 · answer #2 · answered by monkeyandmolly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm very guilty of it. I think it's because I have an explosive temper and if I show it, I'll ruin all chances of reconciliation. When I am smiling, I'm telling myself to calm down and it does help for I know that if I were to express myself at that moment, being full of emotions, only a negative outcome will arise from it.
2006-11-27 03:48:15 · answer #3 · answered by Craiova 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No point passing on the message "you've pissed me off". Because if the person is the annoying kind, he'll take it as a victory sign and do it again. ;)
Some people like to work off their frustrations by being mean to people who look like they'd be great victims. The best way to make them go away is by smiling.
2006-11-27 03:41:24 · answer #4 · answered by WaterStrider 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree so not to let the person know they are getting to them, and since punching someone in the mouth is illegal, even though they may deserve it, smiling at them gives you power to not pop them one!
2006-11-27 04:59:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do that, especially in a heated exchange, its psychological warfare, smiling indicated you are not that interested, or think the other person is a fool and they know it....it drives them wild.
2006-11-27 03:39:49 · answer #6 · answered by Cherry_Blossom 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They're crazy goodie goodie two shoe bored rich housewives (who married for money) who like to pretend everything is allright. Why not? When you down glasses of champagne with sleeping pills all day while your husband is really gay and is banging the carpenter and your daughter sleeps around and your son ignores you and does heroin, who the hell cares? Might as well fake happiness like fake breasts.. (I am being sarcastic).
2006-11-27 03:35:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
peopLe Like them doesn't want to express their feeLings..
Like me..
when i'm mad at sum1
i just smiLe.. but deep inside i wanted to kiLL him...
we tend to do things Like that because were not com4tabLe in expressing our true feeLings...
we thought that expressing our true feeLings is shamefuL...
am i ryt?
2006-11-27 03:37:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
ONE OF TWO REASONS. ONE- ITS BETTER THAN RIPPING SOMEONES HEAD OFF AND STOMPING ON IT UNTIL IT DOESNT EXIST OR TWO- (MY PERSONAL FAVORITE) THEY ARE THINKING OF HOW EXACTLY THEY ARE GOING TO PAY YOU BACK FOR WHATEVER YOU DID THAT MADE THEM MAD
2006-11-27 03:35:00 · answer #9 · answered by NYC Princess of Contradictions 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋