We all do it: The closed-mouth smile. The smile that shows no teeth. The insincere smile that acknowledges someone’s presence, but doesn’t convey happiness.
Today as I let a man walk in front of my car, he waved thank you and gave me a smile… A big, toothy smile. It felt so genuine and real and made me smile.
I then started to think about my own smile.
Though I feel like I am a fairly smiley person, I definitely give the closed-mouth smile (or is it more of a smirk?) to many strangers. While I guess this is better than no smile at all, I’m sure it looks less than authentic.
Don’t get me wrong, a big grin can look pretty creepy if you show your teeth to a random person in the store, but when a stranger does something nice for you (like opens the door for you), a genuine smile – with teeth – just may be in order.
Now, show me your smile! 😀
Not feeling too smiley today? Maybe this will help…
"Show Me Yo' Teef!"
She’s so goofy!
Breakfast
Aside from Sadie, who always makes me smile, my breakfast evoked a grin today, too.
When I woke up this morning, I knew a smoothie was going to be my breakfast of choice.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Drink Up!
I made a strawberry banana smoothie with extra ice cubes for added chill and texture.
I love it when breakfast totally hits the spot.
Yum
Workout
As I headed to the gym with Ryan this morning, I spent most of our short walk rubbing my neck. I must have slept on it funny last night because I have quite the crick today!
Rather than do 50 minutes of cardio as I normally do on Thursdays, I opted for 15 minutes on the stair master and a light 10 minute run before heading upstairs to take a yoga class to stretch out my neck and body.
I was a little nervous because I’ve only enjoyed yoga with one specific instructor. Fortunately today’s teacher was wonderful as well. I think the best way to describe her is a breath of fresh air.
She was so smiley (not closed-mouth smiley 🙂 ), and guided the class with such a soothing and uplifting voice.
Gosh, it sounds like I love her a little, huh?
Today’s Plans
I hope the work day flies by because I’m heading to Tampa after work to see Mary Poppins at Carol Morsani Hall in Tampa with my mom and sister.
“Chim Chim Cher-ee, Chim Chim Cher-ee, Chim Chim Cher-roo!”
Question of the Day
What do you think about the closed-mouth smile? Do you think a smile from someone really has the ability to brighten your day?
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: breakfast, Carol Morsani Hall, Mary Poppins, smile, smoothie |
Peanut Butter Fingers 
Ooh, I love your bracelet!
Lol…I love it when a small thing like that makes your morning!
thanks! it was my grandma’s. 🙂
I agree that a smile can change someones day. I usually am an opened-mouth smile kind of gal. 🙂
I really like you bracelet!
So jealous! Mary Poppins was my favorite movie of all time growing up. My parents say I would have watched it daily had they let me. Have fun!!!
Sadie is just so darn cute!! 🙂
I completely agree that a smile can brighten your day- I love when unexpected things make me smile.
I think it’s so funny that in pretty much all of your pictures you can play “find the sadie” 🙂
lol – oh yes! it’s like a mini where’s waldo every day. 🙂
Better than no smile at all!
So random – I love your bracelet in the picture of your smoothie! And I am jealous you are seeing Mary Poppins!
the smile is everything!
Gorgeous bracelet!!
ahh I loved Mary Poppins so much. When I was in gymnastics, I actually got my own floor music made and it was different snippets of different Mary Poppins songs all rolled into 1:30 seconds. Super cool!
I hate what I look like when I smile with teeth, so I always do a closed-mouth smile. At least I smile, though. I hate when you hold the door for someone and they don’t smile at all. Makes me want to shut it behind me. (Evil grin.)
I think a closed-mouth smile CAN be warm and genuine, but a lot of times it’s not. I try to give people the open-mouthed smile, because I really do think it can brighten up someone’s day.
awww glad you got a yoga class in this morning! i haven’t done yoga in SO long! i think my body would thank me for a class sometime soon
: D
I think I smile can completely brighten someones day! Especially a real open-mouth smile. By the way, I made your flourless pb cookies last night and brought them to work today…my co-workers are loving me!
If someone’s hot a close mouth smile seems flirtatious. Otherwise, show me those teeth!
I think a smile can do so much more than we even realize! I always try my best to give a smile when I make eye contact with someone – yes, some of them are closed-mouth, but you can still show you’re being genuine in your eyes too. A smile from someone, especially an unexpected one, ALWAYS brightens my day! So here’s some smiles for EVERYONE today!
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
don’t you know, smiling is contagious? 😀
ooohhh i love mary poppins! i’ve never seen the actual musical, only the movie. julie andrews is awesome nevertheless!
That is so funny that you mentioned the “closed-mouth smile” today because I was JUST thinking about it on my way to work. A truck let me cross the street before he turned and I did a little wave and closed mouth smile and I thought to myself, “what is up with that? why do I smile at strangers like that, even when they do something nice”. Thanks for posting about it…hopefully I’ll remember to show some “teef” while I’m out later today, haha.
P.S. – love the braclet and the little bow in your hair!
I think smiles and laughter are infectious like yawns, but much more fun 🙂 I admit to the closed-mouth smile often, but definitely think the full-on teeth is more genuine.
So happy about all the yoga. I love it and totally think the instructor can make all the difference. It’s ok to lover her 🙂
LOVE her…Oops! Don’t lover her 🙂
smiling TOTALLY brightens my day…when i smile and when others smile at me! i have to admit, i’m not a fan of the close-mouthed smile, but i know a lot of that has to do with the comfort level of the person smiling. my cousins never had braces and are really self-conscious about their teeth, and so now they ONLY close-smile it
I love your bracelet too!
This is a random question but have you ever tried Pure Bars? I just discovered them today and feel the need to tell the world about them. LOL
http://thepurebar.com/nutritional-values-of-pure/our-6-pure-bars
no i haven’t! i’ll haveta look for them.
It really is true that (genuine big-toothed) smiles are contagious! Smiling, and seeing others smile, completely brightens my mood and adds a bounce to my step. 🙂
I saw Mary Poppins in London and loved it! It’s a very sweet show, and the music is lots of fun! I hope you enjoy it!
If you are seeing the traveling broadway Mary Poppins it’s AMAZING, especially the second act! I saw it in December when it was out my way in CA.
By the way, I had a legitimate smile on my face this morning because I got my lab a harness yesterday and our walk this morning was 100% more enjoyable (no tears or sore arms on my part). Thanks for the help!
isn’t is crazy what a HUGE difference it makes? i’m so glad it worked well for you!
Personally… I love the closed-mouth smile! I feel it’s not so in-yo-face but heart-warming… but only if it’s done right, of course : P
I love ANY smile from a stranger but I especially love toothy, genuine smiles. I am from the south & it is the norm for everyone to greet complete strangers on the street with a happy “Hi, how are you?” or “Good morning!” which always brightens my day. 🙂
I love the little bow in your hair- I wear them a lot too (they’re a lifesaver for my baby-fine hair), and my friends tease me for my “toddler accessories,” but they make me happy 🙂
It’s amazing how much a real smile can do, not only for the other person but also for yourself! It’s impossible to be in a bad mood when smiling!
It’s always nice to see someone who genuinely smiles to you, specially with a wide nice smile. A nice smile can really make my day better
I look weird when I smile with my mouth closed, so I always have a huge giant julie roberts toothy smile goin on.
Smiles DO brighten one’s day, that’s for sure! 🙂
The worst is when a store clerk, or a bus driver, gives a grumbly look when you say “have a nice day!” when saying by to them… I don’t understand how a person could be so grumpy when someone else is being nice. Doesn’t make sense!
As for types of smiles, it doesn’t matter if it’s open or closed mouth, “it’s the thought that counts” 😉
Personally, I’ve never liked how I look with an open-mouthed smile. And I’ve seen some not-so-nice open mouthed smiles on other people too. Too MUCH gum (me 😦 …Thankfully there is such thing as periodontists! woot!) really sucks, because it makes your teeth look smaller than they should look… Or too much tooth, which makes a donkey-like appearance… In those cases, a closed mouth smile LOOKS prettier…And some people are so judgemental of other’s teeth-situations, and can be rude about it… So it really causes self-confidence issues…
But either way, smiles are great!
I am a very smiley person! Many times if I’m not smiling people ask me what is wrong. I totally know what you mean about a genuine full tooth/mouth smile. I love yoga – glad you enjoyed the instructor. I haven’t found many bad ones out there.
i love sadie AND your cute bracelet!
p.s. FYI i read all your fun posts, just rarely comment. had to click out of reader to comment on those two things, though 🙂
I’m a culprit of the closed mouth smile….especially in awkward situations like the elevator. hahaha. a smile w/teeth def. feels more genuine 🙂 i should try it more!
So weird…I was just smiling the other day without showing teeth and it does NOT look right on me 🙂
Sadie is so stinkin cute!
Hey, wonderful blog you have here! Keep up the good job!