We know languages and general means of communicating with one another vary across culture to culture.
However, many of us assume smiling means the same thing in all cultures.
This, though, is not the case. In fact, for one, different cultures smile more or less than one another. Some cultures even have different intents for smiling and different times that are appropriate for such.
What does a smile mean in different cultures?
America
In America, a smile is common and generally accepted. Americans are fairly open with their emotions, and thus, with their facial expressions. Smiling is applicable in America in both casual and formal situations to express happiness or respect. It is not uncommon for strangers to smile at one another for no apparent reason.
Japan
Unlike America, the Japanese culture is not as open to emotions. Therefore, smiling is not as accepted, at least not in abundance. However, Japanese folks still do smile and even may be better at identifying a true versus a fake smile. This is true because the Japanese focus more on the way in the eyes look rather than focusing on the smile. This is also why Japanese emoticons used in texting and chatting on the Internet are often mostly expressed with the eyes than the mouth. You’ll see an example of this below.
- ^_^ This is a Japanese emoticon to express happiness. Notice the eyes versus the mouth; the eyes are the main focus in understanding what the emotion truly is.
- 🙂 This is an American emoticon also to express happiness. The smile itself is the main focus in this emoticon, a much different approach from the Japanese version.
Switzerland
As a culture with some of the happiest people in the world, Swiss folks do not smile as much as, say, Americans do. It’s quite surprising. However, smiling in Switzerland as a way to express respect during a conversation more so than it is to outwardly express one’s internal emotions.
Germany
Like many other cultures, Germany is yet another country that considers Americans to smile too often. A casual smile to a stranger on the streets will not receive a smile in return. Germans are very conservative when it comes to outwardly showing expressions of happiness, especially via smiling.
Thailand
On the flip side, those in Thailand smile often, more so than many cultures, in fact. A smile is appropriate in a variety of different situations and circumstances, including when one is happy, embarrassed, or even fearful.
Russia
Even more different when it comes to the meaning of a smile is in Russia, where smiling is very rare and is only done when there is a very good reason to do so. In fact, if you smile at a Russian too long, they may think you are suspicious. In Russia, smiling is typically done towards people they are close with, being affectionate with, or showing that they admire someone. Smiling can also be done to express high levels of happiness but is not presented randomly on the streets like in America.
12 Quotes to Brighten Up Your Day
“You’ll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile.”
― Charlie Chaplin
“It only takes a split second to smile and forget, yet to someone that needed it, it can last a lifetime.”
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free
“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.”
― Joseph Addison
“…and he smiled a lot. The smile did not mean that he was happy. It meant he was stronger than most people, and that he intended to take advantage of it.”
― Michael Cadnum, Flash
“I smiled back and I thought how incredible that was, that they would find the time to smile. There was goodness in the world still, even if you couldn’t always see it.”
― Jenny Valentine, Broken Soup
“A smile remains the most inexpensive gift I can bestow on anyone and yet its powers can vanquish kingdoms.”
― Og Mandino
“You smiled then, and your whole face changed with it. It kind of lit up, like there were sunbeams coming from inside you.”
― Lucy Christopher
“Withhold a smile only when the smile can hurt someone. Otherwise, let it bloom forth in a riot.”
― Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration
“A soft smile curved up her lips, and my gut dropped a little. A smile…I’d never known a smile could have that kind of effect. Could feel like a kick to the chest.”
― Jennifer L. Armentrout, The Return
“Teeth aren’t pearly, until you smile.”
― Anthony Liccione
“Smile at a friend, at a stranger, at an enemy, at life’s absurdities and the universe will smile back at you.”
― Carol Vorvain, Why Not? The island where happiness starts with a question
“A true smile is when the mouth and the heart coordinate with each other.”
― Barbara Ann Kipfer
After reading the latter quotes, it’s hard not to smile yourself!
