Do you think smiling is a sign of weakness?

Question

I know this sounds unintuitive, but do you guys think smiling is a sign of weakness? I mean we do smile when we're nervous. What do you guys think?

Answer 1

On the contrary. Smiling shows confidence in ones self.

Besides... even if it were, hypothetically... advertising signs of weakness only proves ones confidence... and thusly undermining ones opinion that they are weak. Only someone without confidence, who really is weak, would worry about showing signs of weakness.

Punks with immature, uneducated, high school mentalities come to mind... the arrogant pride of some races that I could stereotype... the tough guy machismo, for example... cowards deep down... who only forcibly appear strong through intimidation and fear. If you pick a fight your first day in prison, you wont get raped later, right?

Such attitudes are neither civilized nor something to be proud of.

I shouldnt have to intimidate you and make you fear injury from me for you to respect me. And even if you honestly threaten me into submissive fear, you certainly dont have my respect.

I respect most the people who feel no need to prove themselves to me through superficial shows of animalistic strength.

People who prove themselves empathetic and caring and nurturing, those who provide life and friendship, who make our mutual lives better through knowing one another... those are the people I seek out.

Maybe if we lived in the jungle 500 years ago, strength and intimidation of enemies would be more important. Nowadays in our modern world, the person best capable of survival are those who can establish and maintain the best and most relationships, the ones who nurture family, friends, and their career... the people who are most educated and empathetic.

Anything shy of that is true weakness. People like that have no way of survival in our world except by making our world the violent primitive establishment it once was. Hence the continuation of gang wars and the abandonment of education by those who think themselves incapable of making it like that "white man" has

The weak will die... and the weak are those who cannot maintain relationships. The ones who have no lasting friends, the solo rebel. The ones who have no permanent romantic relationships. Etcetera. People like that are rejected by society and forced into a ghetto where they live amongst those like themselves.

Answer 2

In some Asian and Mid-Eastern cultures smiling IS a sign of weakness, especially in business.
We here in the West show our feelings in ways they would NEVER reveal in others and sometimes we see the World only through our own eyes.
Do they think we are weak for smiling so much?
.

Answer 3

As I read somewhere, a smile is the shortest distance between two people and also that a smile is a curve that can see most things straight.
A smile hides many emotions but this depends on the type of smile like nervous,shy, open,uneasy but it is not a sign of weakness. indeed it is a sign of courage that we are trying to face things as they are, however good or bad.

Answer 4

Yes. Smiling is a sign of weakness in primates. When someone smiles, all I see is a chimp begging for its life.

Answer 5

No if you are nervous it is going to show either way. A relaxed confident smile and sense of humor hides alot.

Answer 6

NO WAY!! smiling is like the koolist thing in the whole world and they say laughing can make u live longer....... the worst thing i can think of is trying to talk to a person who wont smile or laugh soooo everybody ....SMILE JESUS LOVES U!!!!!!

Answer 7

Where in the hell did you get such an idea?

It's a sign of good mental health in most instances; unless you are dealing with a nincompoop, of course.

Answer 8

NO.

Do you think preventing yourself from smiling, is a sign of weakness?

Answer 9

smiling is a wonderful thing. although in todays world kindness is mistaken for weakness.

Answer 10

I think we normally put a good smile to make an impression. It's how you deliver that smile that gives you away.