We’ve all come across people in public whose facial expression leads us to believe that someone really pissed them off, or that they really don’t want anyone talking to them. If you don’t know what facial expression I’m referring to, google an image of Kristen Stewart. People who suffer from Resting Bitch Face, or RBF, aren’t necessarily irritated or mad, that’s literally just their face. Like me, if you can relate to a majority of these things then you probably suffer from RBF:

1. People in public are always asking you if you’re okay.

Whether you’re just walking through the mall or checking out at the grocery store, strangers seem to always be reaching out at times where you’re just minding your own business. There’s nothing wrong, you are just not conscious of your facial expressions.

2. Whenever you answer the phone people will ask if you’re sad/mad/tired.

Even though they may not be able to see you in person, your RBF makes you unintentionally sound monotone or robotic. You’re actually feeling fine, it was just your go-to greeting.

3. Your teachers seem to go out of their way a lot to talk to you.

They personally greet you everyday when you walk through the door and make a lot of eye contact with you in class to a point where other students notice as well. Could it be because they think something is wrong? Maybe it’s just that face again.

4. You’ve been told that you’re ‘intimidating’ and aren’t confronted often.

You might be a very sweet and caring person, but people’s first impressions of you are always way off. Wait, what? You actually have a sense of humor and enjoy small animals? I would have never guessed!

5. You’re an introvert.

You’re not the type of person to start up a conversation with a random person and ordering at restaurants sometimes gives you anxiety. You’re RBF might as well just be a human repeller.

My advice to you: own it. How other people perceive you is not your problem. You weren’t put on this earth to be a walking ray of sunshine wherever you go. Whether you keep that sunshine on the inside or you’re more of a tough love kind of person, a sour face can happen to the best of us. As a survivor of this condition who happily works in customer service, human interaction is possible!