In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:
Nope, my face might be mad, but I am probably not. If you're hanging out with someone or having a casual conversation, your face naturally conveys to them that you are upset. This can cause some slight confusion or tension, and it's even worse when you don't really know the person. I remember being in the dining hall freshman year and several times being asked by the person swiping me in "if I was okay." Yep, just hungry.
It's their job to stop you and either talk to you or try and hand you something, but your face acts as a natural repellent. Whether it's a religious group or just a free coupon book, everyone sees them and gets stopped at least once, especially on a college campus, but often with you they'll see you coming and not bother. Your facial expression makes you look like you were probably just going to ignore them anyway, even if you're the sweetest person and totally okay with chatting. Sometimes, though, this is a beautiful thing when you don't feel like talking or being stopped, so you've embraced the bitch face and maybe even intentionally emphasized it in these situations.
No. No no no no no. For some reason, far too many guys think it's okay to see a girl minding her own business with her naturally bitchy expression and telling them or straight up yelling at them to "smile." This is never okay, and makes us feel extremely uncomfortable if not unsafe. Just don't.
Oh, the number of times I've heard this. While it's nice to know that people do realize that you're actually a really nice person, you also recognize that every friend you've ever made didn't like you at first because they thought you were a bitch. Because of this, you make the effort to seem really nice when being introduced to someone to combat your face's natural first impression.
Similar to number three, just don't. I smile when I'm happy or have something to smile about, but if I were to walk around all day with a fake smile plastered on my face, frankly that would just look creepy. Not to mention, I'm not going to do it because you think it makes me prettier, which is just rude on so many levels.
Because makeup tends to extenuate natural facial features, that means the expression of your RBF is ten times stronger. Especially if your look features a dark lip or intense eye, there's no way to avoid it. But who cares, you look amazing and everyone else can deal with it.
Whenever someone thinks I'm upset or angry or asks what's wrong when I'm seriously just spacing out and probably thinking about cats, this is my response. Most people have heard of Resting Bitch Face syndrome, so a quick explanation usually does the trick.
We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.
At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.
By 18, we know the powerhouse of the cell is the mitochondria, and the a2 + b2 = c2, but most of us don’t how a W2 works, anything to do with finances, really, how to write a resume, how to apply for loans, how to sew a button onto a shirt. Entering adulthood can be scary. Being in the thick of adulthood can be scary. Really, when is life not scary? Unfortunately, life does not come with a manual, but it does come with experience, so fear not, readers. I’m here to school you in Adulting 101 – this edition: being sick (and being on your own).
My experience with illness when I was a child went something like this: “Mom? Mooom? Mooooooommmmm!” My mother was a champion of taking care of sick children; she held back my and my siblings’ hair, made us toast and 7Up, let us sleep in her room. Being sick while being on your own doesn’t make you want to cry for mom any less, it just means she won’t be there to respond.
The first step to taking care of yourself: Channel your inner Scout, and always be prepared. This means at the risk of concerning your RA or roommates, you’ll want to have a supply of all the over-the-counter drugs you can get your hands on. Cough medicine, DayQuil, NyQuil, Advil, Ibuprofen, allergy meds, Tums—anything!
The second step to taking care of yourself: Be ready for the call and respond. Especially with violent viruses, vomiting can be sudden and toilets can be far away. Just take my word and keep a bin nearby.
The third step to taking care of yourself: As rough as you feel, be sure to email your professors about the situation prior to missing their class. It’s also nice to have a class friend that you can get notes and information from as to not insult your professor with a “Hey prof, did we do anything in class today?” email.
The fourth step to taking care of yourself: Be courteous to your roommates. Clean up after yourself, keep your distance, spray some Lysol, and try not to cry too much. Added Bonus: don’t depend on your roommate to take care of you, but be grateful when they do. Being handed a cold rag or Ginger Ale is the next best thing to actually having a parent there to feel sorry for you.
The fifth step to taking care of yourself: Try to power through staying on top of your work, but getting rest is so important. Don’t feel bad for sleeping 18 hours of your day away, just work extra hard when you are back to health.
Being sick while being on your own has no rewards. It is not like the proud moment of taking care of your financial aid or finding your way around without a GPS. Being sick on your own is just a reality of adulthood. Here’s hoping for a happy and healthy New Year, but being ready to brave the darker days should they come. Here’s to taking care of your sickness by yourself — you’re doing adulthood so well!
Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.
1. Wow, time to sign up for classes already!
2. Alright, one semester closer to graduation. Let's do this.
3. I already know exactly what I'm gonna take.
4. Ugh, I have an advising flag on my account.
5. Okay, no problem. I'll just email my adviser about getting it removed.
6. In the meantime, I'll add all my classes to my cart.
7. I'm only going to schedule myself for Tuesday/Thursday classes. I'll have so much extra time to be productive!
8. Why are all the classes I need for my major scheduled at the most inconvenient times?
9. I mean, I guess having a three-hour night class on Wednesday isn't the worst thing in the world.
10. Just kidding, I am already dreading it and it's still months away.
11. Alright, get it together. This is what being a responsible adult is about.
12. Oh wonderful. That class is already wait listed.
13. Maybe I should check Rate My Professor real fast.
14. On second thought, maybe I'll wait on that class until it's offered with a different professor.
15. I really shouldn't sign up for an 8 a.m.
16. And it's only offered at 8 a.m.
17. I'll be fine. I'll just have to keep myself motivated to go to class.
18. I feel like there should be an easier way to do this.
19. It's like they're trying to make us regret all our life choices.
20. I can handle 18 credits, right?
21. What am I gonna do for three hours between these classes?
22. This is literally the most inconvenient and unorganized class schedule in existence.
23. Whatever, I'll just use that break to study.
24. Now I just have to pray these classes don't fill up before my enrollment appointment.
25. Thank goodness I don't have to do this again for another six months.
In the 12 years since it went off the air, "Friends" continues to be adored by millions. The show that gave generations unrealistic expectations about love (or should I say lobsters?) and New York City apartments had a charming cast of characters that everyone could relate to at some point or another. Here are 17 times Ross, Monica, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe and Rachel accurately described life.
