I'm not one to be able to keep a poker face very well, but I think I am able to keep a relatively calm expression for most part when required, unless something is very very funny or sad, which then my visage breaks.
Yesterday, I was walking along Broadway/George St in the city, past the McDonalds opposite Railway Square, just down from the Argincourt Hotel on Harris St, and I saw two girls sitting on the step of the McDonalds, having a smoke. Ordinarily, this wouldn't be such a unusual thing but, 1) they were smoking right next to the doorway, so the smoke was going inside the store 2) they were in McDonalds uniform, i.e. they were on break and showing their lax manner to their job and then 3) one of them was bitching about something to the other.
1) and 2) aren't too big a deal, but 3) is the interesting observation. Although I only saw them for about 2 seconds as I walked past, I knew immediately that 3) was happening between their drags of carcinogenic goodness. Why? The facial expression of the girl on the left talking said it all. Her face was scrunched up in that indignant manner, and her oral movements indicated strong sentiment in the words that I could not hear. She was angry, complaining quite vehemently to her friend about something, someone. It got me thinking.
Is it at all possible to actually complain, or bitch (as the colloquial term goes) in such a strong manner, but without giving it away in your facial expression and body language? Unlike, say for example, the use of 'off-the-cuff' remarks that are meant to rebuke/criticise, nor sarcasm and dry wit, which is often best delivered with a dead pan voice and face, or even with a smile so that the person it is directed to doesn't get it (which makes it even sweeter and more biting at the same time to those who do around you), full blown complaint monger-ing typically requires that facial change...
Perhaps, if someone was to do it in an expressionless void, the depth and impact of the complaint would be lost? Or it is impossible to generate the amount of tonal impact required for the emotion involved without wringing ones face into such disdain, disgust or whatever it is you feel about the situation?
Hmm, something to observe next time someone complains at full strength.
Yesterday, I was walking along Broadway/George St in the city, past the McDonalds opposite Railway Square, just down from the Argincourt Hotel on Harris St, and I saw two girls sitting on the step of the McDonalds, having a smoke. Ordinarily, this wouldn't be such a unusual thing but, 1) they were smoking right next to the doorway, so the smoke was going inside the store 2) they were in McDonalds uniform, i.e. they were on break and showing their lax manner to their job and then 3) one of them was bitching about something to the other.
1) and 2) aren't too big a deal, but 3) is the interesting observation. Although I only saw them for about 2 seconds as I walked past, I knew immediately that 3) was happening between their drags of carcinogenic goodness. Why? The facial expression of the girl on the left talking said it all. Her face was scrunched up in that indignant manner, and her oral movements indicated strong sentiment in the words that I could not hear. She was angry, complaining quite vehemently to her friend about something, someone. It got me thinking.
Is it at all possible to actually complain, or bitch (as the colloquial term goes) in such a strong manner, but without giving it away in your facial expression and body language? Unlike, say for example, the use of 'off-the-cuff' remarks that are meant to rebuke/criticise, nor sarcasm and dry wit, which is often best delivered with a dead pan voice and face, or even with a smile so that the person it is directed to doesn't get it (which makes it even sweeter and more biting at the same time to those who do around you), full blown complaint monger-ing typically requires that facial change...
Perhaps, if someone was to do it in an expressionless void, the depth and impact of the complaint would be lost? Or it is impossible to generate the amount of tonal impact required for the emotion involved without wringing ones face into such disdain, disgust or whatever it is you feel about the situation?
Hmm, something to observe next time someone complains at full strength.
3 comments:
It takes a lot to get me that angry (normally I have a hot, fiery temper instead of a col done) but when I do... I'm in completely and perfect control of all of my reactions and I deliver the most cutting comments in a cool, calm voice with no aggressive body language whatsoever. I guess that's probably what makes it so effective.
Interesting idea, though!
give'em a full face-shot of Botox and they'll manage just fine. :D If their vocal cords don't get paralyzed too, that is...
does frowning change the sound of ur words...
I think frowning does chance the sound because it changes the oral cavity for the air exiting....
Post a Comment