Back up off of my resting bitch face

I have an oblong face, thick lips, large teeth, and a long, flat nose. All of this creates an illusion that I am mad when I am not. I was reminded of my "resting bitch face" shortly after my husband died. A woman I went to elementary school with had attended junior and high school with my spouse. She found out about his death weeks later on Facebook. Instead of offering condolences and leaving well enough alone, she posted something that annoyed me.

She started off by saying that she was sorry my spouse died and how we both had been her classmates. She then spoke about a day we met after I had begun dating Michael when I was 18. She said that when he spoke to her, I tightened my grip on his arm and did my little "pout." Obviously, my facial expressions had been noticed in 5th grade, but I never knew it. I cannot help that all of my facial features give the impression I am pouting or mad when I am not. The real issue is why people feel the need to point it out.

A memory came to be of this "friend' being pencil thin, wearing a sweater that was 2 sizes too large and her hair looking like her finger had been stuck in a light socket. Had I mentioned that on the Facebook post it would have been in poor taste. I only share it now to make the point that I remembered something not so nice about her but did not post it for all of Facebook to see. I admit I am sensitive because all of my life people have violated me by saying what they would not to another.

As I go along this life's journey I have encountered others who look a bit perturbed but it's their business and none of my own. I do not care to figure out if they have a RBF and I wish people would do the same for me. I have had complete strangers walk up to me and say "Smile, it can't be that bad." I am appalled by the lack of tack that so many people display. I a thankful there is a name for those whose features mirror my own so I can use it to express my disgust.

Why does it matter what expression is on anyone's face, especially a stranger. In this day and age I would be careful of saying things that are not too nice because someone might mase me or pull out a gun and shoot. Last week my granddaughter was sitting on the sidewalk in front of the house and an older man who was driving by in a truck slowed up and shouted, "Smile little girl," I yelled at him to mind his own business. My seven-year old granddaughter has a round face, a cute button nose, and thin lips. Her grampy had just died and she was probably reflecting for a moment and this stranger had no right to intrude.

If someone looks sad they might very well be dealing with something but if you do not know them please leave them alone. It's rude to disrespect anyone especially those you do not know. I cannot tell you the hundreds of photo's I have taken over the years trying to get profile pics that are just right. Some people are photogenic and others really are not. When I wrote for a local newspaper I had a church elder critique every photo I used. It's as if people think I can wave a magic wand and poof I'm the image they believe I should be.

To every woman out there who has a resting bitch face I salute you. Do your best not to allow the opinions and comments from others to pull you down and try your best not to stoop to their level. One bit of advice I can give you is that it feels much better to allow my face to be natural than it does to force a fake smile to please others, so keep this in mind. To those of you who are doing the attacking, I speak for all women like myself and say; "Back up off of my resting bitch face."