Do people smile when they are intimidated and/or on the defensive?

Question

So, how do you know then if they are defensive or amused?

Answer 1

Sometimes. In our culture, a smile is sometimes used as kind of an all-purpose mask to keep people from reading our real feelings. It's a facial "whatever". Once the "mask" is in place, you can only tell about a person being intimidated or defensive by what happened just before they shut you out. The "smile mask" doesn't really communicate anything, except maybe that the person doesn't trust you enough to show you how they really feel. It comes back to communication any way you look at it. Build it or destroy it.

Answer 2

Showing your teeth in nature is a sign of agression, and a sign of defense. Dogs show their teeth when the feel threatened. Humans are much the same way, but the difference with humans is that we also show our teeth in times of joy and happiness as well. Human facial movements and gestures are extremely complicated, but do have certain basic animalistic tendencies. The answer to your question is yes. People do smile when they are intimidated and on the defensive, but it's difficult to judge. Other factors have to be taken into account as well, such as their tone of voice, their mood, where their eyes are fixated. I like to think that smiles are a good thing, but that's probably just the kid in me. I think more times than not, people smile to show their joy in the moment or to be social.

Answer 3

I've never met a person with a good enough "defensive smile" that I wouldn't notice. Maybe I'm good at reading people, but for the most part, I'd say people aren't great at hiding their true emotions. Just look at their eyes, it's the best way to see how they really feel.

Answer 4

I think it's something like whistling when you're walking in a strange place in the dark. You are trying to persuade yourself that you're not afraid or trying to make yourself less afraid. Also, there's times when someone doesn't want to let people know that they are getting the result they want from him or her. Bullies intimidate people because they want to feel more poweful, and they want to feel more powerful because they're insecure. I try not to act any way deliberately, just feel what I feel, and gradually get over such things. Sometimes defendants laugh in a courtroom, and it's a nervous reaction, but the judge interprets this as disrespect.

Answer 5

I constantly wear a smile on my face- even when people are being mean or look down on me- I also tend to make jokes when I'm nervous or say silly things just to get a laugh.

I do it more out of habit now, but when people are trying to be nasty, if your first instinct is to smile- to them and subconsciously to yourself- you become part of the joke- and NOT the joke.

It's like situations where people are trying to verbally bully you- most people do it to a) get a laugh b) get a rise out of you c) a feeling of power. If you're chilled out and smile it off, shrug, maybe even add a little joke of your own in at your own expense- the whole purpose of them bullying you has been wasted.

A quote from Elf with Will Ferrell:
Gimbel's Manager: Why are you smiling like that?
Buddy: I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite

:)

Answer 6

Yes but there can be a odd reaction others might feel that you are laughing at them.So sometimes its good to repress a smile. People shouldn't intimidate or oppress others.

Answer 7

I think the question is based on the situation. Personally, I don't every often in those scenarios, but sometimes I do.

Answer 8

its all in the eyes. you can usually see the real emotion in the eyes

i used to have these really intimidating teachers and i like always smiled at them. but i always sent angry signals thru my eyes. im sure they got those!

Answer 9

yeah they do a smile like they have to give without their consent.

Answer 10

both. only when they are really smiling its a bif toothy one or a tiny one. not all...tight and stuff.