ABSTRACT
Smiling is not only an expression of amusement. It is a form of communication to others. It is a powerful communication that only humans have. As with all facial expressions, it originates in the inner me, and only an inner megenerated smile looks genuine. The outer me does not have access to the neural mechanisms that give rise to the smile. However, an outer megenerated smile can resemble the genuine article sufficiently to fool the inner me of a recipient. Consequently, forced smiles are commonly adopted to put others at their ease, particularly by television announcers, air hostesses and politicians. Smiling is an expression of peace. It conveys the message, “I mean you no harm.” With the eyes wide open, it can be a means of seduction. Smiling is also a bonding gesture. Parents smile at their children and children and friends smile at each other. People smile at the camera when they are being photographed. Finally, forced (outer me) smiling is an act of defiance. People put on a smile, or wear a smile, as a way of pretending that they are happy when they are not. People are urged to smile when they are oppressed and soldiers are urged to smile in times of war.
