# I hate how my smile looks **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 5, 2013, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608 "2013-12-05T22:31:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jesse\_Pinkman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a183cd/32.png) [@Jesse\_Pinkman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesse_Pinkman)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/1 "2013-12-05T22:31:08Z")
I can’t help it, but I do. My face is fine otherwise (if a bit young looking), but my smile makes me look like a mentally-deficient teenager. I can’t stand looking at pictures of myself for that very reason, and I avoid having my photo taken as well. A lot of people say that the reason why I’m single is that I don’t smile enough. Well, when your smile looks as god-awful as mine does, doing it more would only make the situation worse. Thus, I try to avoid smiling. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/2 "2013-12-05T23:11:32Z")
It could be all the meth…just sayin’ On a more serious note: I’m going to assume you’re a guy, because of your user name. If that’s the case, you might try experimenting with facial hair to see if that makes a difference. It also might make you look older, and therefore less teenager-ey. If you’re not a guy, then that may not be an option. Of course, you know it would be easier to help if we had a picture to go by…but I understand you may be reluctant to provide one. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/3 "2013-12-06T00:29:37Z")
are you talking soft tissue stuff such as lips and cheeks or are you talking teeth? Major changes with teeth are fairly simple to do. Ask your dentist. Others not as much. can you post a pic? I get patients all the time that think something looks bad but no one else notices it. May not be as bad as you think. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/4 "2013-12-06T00:31:54Z")
Do you mean when you’re fake-smiling for pictures and stuff, or when you have a genuine smile? There can be a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/5 "2013-12-06T15:47:38Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > Do you mean when you’re fake-smiling for pictures and stuff, or when you have a genuine smile? There can be a difference. So much this. I’m fine with my real smile, but that fake smile I do for the cameras makes me look like a mental patient. ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/6 "2013-12-06T16:04:52Z")
I learned after practicing in a mirror that the fake smile people try and generate for photographs is usually too wide/big because that’s how we feel when we smile genuinely. Mine would end up with way too much gums showing and a sort of strenuous look about it. I now do a half-smile that feels really awkward/wrong physically but looks pretty great in photographs because it’s not overdone. Try practicing in front of a mirror until you learn how to move and hold your muscles to create a smile you like. After you think you’ve got it, look away, do the smile you think is right, then look in the mirror again to see if you did it. Lather, rinse, repeat. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/7 "2013-12-06T17:09:08Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > It could be all the meth…just sayin’ Two things the OP should probably know: 1. This is never going to stop, and 2. You can petition for one courtesy username change (I think). Just FYI! ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/8 "2013-12-06T17:57:10Z")
Don’t smile, kid. ---
**Author:** ![Depakote\_Chopra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/919ad9/32.png) [@Depakote\_Chopra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Depakote_Chopra)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/9 "2013-12-06T18:26:49Z")
On a related note, in _Breaking Bad_, the scenes with junkies were always realistic. …Except those with Jesse, actually. Because Aaron Paul has perfect teeth, in spite of the fact that his character smokes meth in a pipe. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/10 "2013-12-06T18:55:11Z")
> [@What is the most meaningful compliment you have ever received?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-meaningful-compliment-you-have-ever-received/670315/100): > > After leaving high school and losing 30 pounds, I went to a party where a lot of my old classmates were at. All the girls kept raving that I “got hot.” It was flattering. So are you just being a tiny bit too self-critical with this smile issue? ---
**Author:** ![Jesse\_Pinkman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a183cd/32.png) [@Jesse\_Pinkman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesse_Pinkman)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/11 "2013-12-06T19:07:06Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > It could be all the meth…just sayin’ I like my username how it is, BITCH! > [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > On a more serious note: > > I’m going to assume you’re a guy, because of your user name. If that’s the case, you might try experimenting with facial hair to see if that makes a difference. It also might make you look older, and therefore less teenager-ey. > > If you’re not a guy, then that may not be an option. > > Of course, you know it would be easier to help if we had a picture to go by…but I understand you may be reluctant to provide one. I’ve tried growing a beard but it never grows in very well and always itches like crazy. Maybe I’ll give it another whirl. I’ll try and get you guys a picture when I’m not at work. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/12 "2013-12-06T19:12:07Z")
Have you tried [bleach?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=709139) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/13 "2013-12-06T19:22:16Z")
Yeah, we’re going to need to see a picture - a genuine smile usually lights up a person’s face, even if they have crooked teeth or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![mo50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@mo50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mo50)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/14 "2013-12-06T19:22:38Z")
My smile sucks too. I get squinty eyed and my cheeks make me look like a chipmunk. Practicing in a mirrors is probably the best bet. I feel like a superficial phony doing it, but have gotten sick enough of lousy pictures of me. Chin down a little, slight side facial direction, half smile, and maybe I won’t quite puke when I see the end result! :smack: Anyway, there are much worse problems, and youre not alone! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SerafinaPekala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SerafinaPekala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SerafinaPekala)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/15 "2013-12-06T23:27:51Z")
Apparently there is a [Way to Look More Photogenic](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff7nltdBCHs). I think its kinda douchey-looking but you could try it. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/16 "2013-12-07T15:29:27Z")
> [@SerafinaPekala](#): > > Apparently there is a [Way to Look More Photogenic](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff7nltdBCHs). I think its kinda douchey-looking but you could try it. I’m not sure why it requires two 15-minute videos to say this, but to save others some time, the secrets are apparently “thrust your jaw forward” and “squinch your lower eyelids.” But if you’re confused by these instructions and have a half hour to kill… ---
**Author:** ![Jesse\_Pinkman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a183cd/32.png) [@Jesse\_Pinkman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesse_Pinkman)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/17 "2013-12-09T10:49:33Z")
Every day I find it harder to get out of bed and bother going to work because I know I’m going to die alone the way my life is going. And if I’m never going to be in love, then what’s the point to living? I’ve lost interest in my hobbies because they just don’t seem worth the effort anymore. I barely ever make it to the gym because no one finds me attractive regardless of the shape I’m in. It’s hard to stay motivated at work because I know I’ll never have a family that will benefit from my hard work. Everything just seems to suck more. Meanwhile, everyone else doesn’t have any problems with it, which just makes you feel even worse. They say this attitude is only making the problem worse, but how else am I supposed to feel any better after all this time? It’s not like I did any better before I felt this way. ---
**Author:** ![Jesse\_Pinkman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a183cd/32.png) [@Jesse\_Pinkman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesse_Pinkman)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/18 "2013-12-09T11:16:38Z")
The worst is when people come to you to bitch about their relationships. You have to sit there and pretend to be sympathetic, when in reality you just want to tell them to fuck off and walk a mile in your shoes if they want to feel better. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/19 "2013-12-09T11:50:05Z")
I walked many miles in those shoes, believe me. There aren’t any easy answers. Find things in your life to do that are worth doing for their own sake, not just as something to do while you are hoping to meet someone. Hit the gym if you like, if you find it a good thing to do as an end in itself, but not in order to make yourself more attractive. People will tell you that if only you stop trying so hard and let things happen in their own time then they will - which is about as easy advice to take as the children’s superstition that any wish you make will come true if you can sit in silence for five minutes and not think about a polar bear, and about as effective. This much is true: everyone else does _not_ manage this with no problems and you are not unique at all, nor even all that unusual. It is hard to find yourself lacking that whatever-it-is that attracts the opposite sex (or the same sex, if you swing that way) in a society that seems determined to tell you that you are worthless if you ain’t gettin’ some; but do be assured that you are in good company. And, yeah, relationships don’t make all your problems disappear; you just trade the ones you had for a new set. (Remember what I said about the shoes, too.) Insofar as it’s possible to choose - don’t despair. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608/20 "2013-12-09T11:56:09Z")
I’m pretty sure that if you are miserable without a relationship you will be miserable with one. Just like the people who are miserable until they get the promotion at work or get a better job or get a nicer place or have a kid or win the lottery or get out of the dead end relationship they are in. What you lack isn’t the external thing you haven’t got, it’s thinking that it is. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-how-my-smile-looks/675608.md?page=2)