Eye Contact

Imagine a beautiful fall day.  The sun is shining, the leaves are crunch, and the air is just crisp enough for to wear your new coat.  Glorious.

You stroll down the sidewalk, feeling in good humor with the rest of the world, and see a stranger striding towards you.

Uh-oh. Dilema.

Do you smile at them?  Because if they don't smile back you might feel like an idiot.  But if they smile and you don't, you'll look like a jerk.  How about a head nod?  A head nod has far too many potential implications!  They might think all kinds of things about a head nod! Oh no, time is running out!  They have almost stepped into "acceptable greeting" distance!  AND you made eye contact!  No turning back now, do something!

In a panic, you press your lips against your teeth, hoping you look cheerful--and they do the same thing back.  This, awkward facial expression is not quite smile; teeth are not shown and the cheeks are not at all lifted.

This expression is in fact a grimace.

Instead of a friendly, kind face that shares the joys of the day, the general population has reduced their greetings to a grimace as if to share the burden of this life; a proof that you are not alone in your misery.

Good grief. Eye contact is just no fun anymore.