"Hey honey, why don't you smile?"
"Why do you look so mad sweetheart? Lighten up!"
"Why do you look so angry?"
These are the common things said to women, including myself, who suffer from something called RBF (resting bitch face). Someone who has resting bitch face essentially looks less likable and perhaps mean when they are at rest, not doing anything, just being a normal human being. Usually when you hear of resting bitch face, you're most likely referring to a female, because it is apparently okay for men to not be smiling all the time. The resting bitch face is usually uncontrollable and gives off an undesired persona. Often, when a woman is in the state of resting bitch face, she is told, often by men but sometimes by other women, that she looks mad and she should simply just smile more often.
My problem with the whole idea of resting bitch face is that it is a term that is mostly applied to women. Think about it - have you ever looked at a male when he was in a restful state and wondered why he wasn't smiling? Have you ever gone up to a man and told him that he should be smiling more? Have you ever even thought that a man looked like a bitch when he was in a restful state? Probably not. I understand that some women may look really externally intimidating, but to define a person before they even open their mouth is wrong. I believe this term was probably just coined by men who are upset that women are not constantly in a state of appeasing them. I understand that I am guilty as well for judging someone based on their external image, but classifying a woman as rude and mean when she is simply being a human being is superficial. And the idea that women have to look happy all the time is unnatural. The idea that women cannot show any emotion besides happy and kind is unattainable.
So ladies, here's the plan: flaunt that resting bitch face! Don't feel shameful about not looking happy and sweet and kind all the time. You are a human being, not a Barbie doll. If you look kinda mad while you are daydreaming, thinking about going to Taco Bell after class, then cherish it. Embrace the fact that maybe you are intimidating the boy sitting next to you in class, who may be more concerned with your facial expressions rather than the material being taught in class. Embrace the fact that maybe you look a little mean, and use it to your advantage. Scare the living life of ANYONE who comes in your way. Walk through the hallways and hiss at anyone who dares think that you should be smiling. Rip down a poster or two. Make a scene. Get all the attention on you, then stare down any man who thinks that you look like a mean, nasty bitch.
...Okay, maybe you shouldn't do all of that. But seriously ladies, don't be ashamed of the resting bitch face. There is nothing wrong with showing a variety of emotions. And hey, it's pretty cool to look intimidating. Be a proud owner of RBF.
