Say Cheese! Has anyone ever paused to ponder, amidst the humdrum of daily life, the instant glinting effect of these two little magical words upon human beings? Just as the magician weaves his magical wand to stupefying perfection and mesmerizes everyone with his hotchpotch of tricks, so too, these doppelganger magical words reverberates an instant glinting effect of a smile and infuses a sudden dose of radiating freshness, which in turn, not only becomes highly infectious but may even flaunt glaring symptoms of epidemic proportions as well. People with a great smile radiate warmth that draws others to them instantly. A smile is like an aroma, a subtle elixir, a panacea for our usual morose bouts of mundane melancholy; although, a minuscule of mulish cynics may vouch for its momentary efficacy only. But a mulish cynic apart, a smile really is a pungent and perpetual turn-on for every glum soul, and punctures the retarding premise of its momentary efficacy.

Physiologically, a smile is a facial expression formed by flexing those muscles, especially near both ends of the mouth or the cheeks. During the process of a smile, the broadening of the chin muscles and the feeling of a halo are the culmination of a happy body language that means that all is well that smiles well. A genuine smile increases the production of serotonin, the happiness hormone. Among humans, it is usually an expression denoting joy, cheerfulness, or even hilarity, but can also be an instinctive expression of anxiety, which in turn can manifest itself in the form of a grimace, frown, scowl, or a contortion. There is ample evidence to corroborate the fact that smiling is a normal reaction to certain stimuli as it occurs regardless of culture. Happiness is often the single most motivating cause of a smile. Dr Armindo Freitas-Magalhaes, a Portuguese psychologist, has worked extensively on the psychology of the human smile in the context of emotion and facial expression. His study on the various facets of smiles is a part of gelotology, psychology, and linguistics comprising various theories of affect, humour, and laughter.

A smile cannot be described in beautiful lyrical phraseology with the delicate balancing of the germane jargons. A plethora of eminent personalities have opined an array of variegated views on the genuine essence of a smile. Mother Teresa, who herself was an apostle of peace and compassion, has prescribed a simple prescription when she says, “Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other, it doesn’t matter who it is, and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other.” Jean Baudrillard, a French cultural theorist, was of the firm view that “Smile and others will smile back. Smile to show how transparent, how candid you are. Smile if you have nothing to say. Most of all do not hide the fact you have nothing to say nor your total indifference to others. Let this emptiness, this profound indifference shine out spontaneously in your smile.”

A smile is an indispensable asset in our life for three cardinal reasons. First, it is the greatest asset we have because of the signals and messages it gives to others about who we are, what we want, and how we wish to be. It is like a handy barometer to our mood and the type of temperament we have. Second, it immediately tells someone we are approachable, we want to share the moment with them, and we don’t take ourselves too seriously. It also tells the other person they are valued. Third, it is the biggest tool in interacting with strangers and making new friendships because we don’t have to say anything. It refreshing potency could be gauged from its instantaneous cross-pollinating effect and rapid multiplicity traits. Its aromatic effect instantly rubs on to one and all. A smile cuts across language and says it all while making us seems even more attractive.

A smile should be used as routine, not saved for special moments, because it indicates our personality, the type of person we wish to be. Gloomy people are po-faced and strait-laced. They repel others. A smiling person lets the sunshine in and gives others permission to smile too, and there is nothing more empowering in our life than this amazing asset we have. The following lines, believed to be based on the writings of Samson Raphael Hirsch, a German Rabbi best known as the intellectual father of neo-orthodoxy clearly vindicates the sum total potency quotient of a smile: “A smile costs nothing, but gives much. It enriches those who receive, without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it, and none is so poor but that he cannot be made rich by it. A smile creates happiness in the home, fosters goodwill in business, and is the countersign of friendship. It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and is nature’s best antidote for trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile as much as he who has no more to give.”

Paradoxically a smile, unlike its aromatic feel and radiating effect, is at times, a trifle deceptive too. One may usually come across a certain sham form of a smile, commonly known as a ‘fake smile’. A smokescreen facial expression of a spurious smile is not only hideously wily, but may send the wrong signals and in the process, pave the way for emanating all the off-putting vibes. A fake smile may conceal certain grave machinations and manoeuvrings, safely ensconced and cocooned in its garb. Guillaume Duchenne, a French neurologist, is credited with the scientific discovery of a ‘genuine form of a smile’, in sharp contrast to its fake counterpart. Through electricity, he determined that smiles resulting from true happiness not only utilise the muscles of the mouth but also those of the eyes. Such ‘genuine’ smiles are called ‘Duchenne smiles’ in his honour. A Duchenne smile contracts the zygomatic muscles of the cheek and eye, forming crow’s feet. The crow’s feet indicate that the smile is genuine and the person is truly happy.

The real essence of a smile lies in its cardinal trait of making people attractive and at the same time, effuses a sort of a magnetic effect of attracting people towards each other. It’s a welcome mat. It’s what makes people approachable. A smile is an intoxicating and aromatic asset and comes at no extra effort and extra cost. Douglas Horton, an American Protestant clergyman has very aptly remarked: “Smile, it’s free therapy.” Les Giblin, one of the pioneers of the personal development industry sums it up in his famous sardonic lines: “If you’re not using your smile, you’re like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no chequebook.” After all, when someone is smiling at others, he is not punching any deep holes in his pocket. Isn’t he?

sabahalahmed23@rediffmail

Saikh Md Sabah Al-Ahmed