What does a face do? What unspoken message does it convey?
Man lives in a world of endless mirrors, so plentiful that he cannot escape himself.
Men and women do their best to make themselves presentable and attractive. Some study their default expression and attempt to alter it. The goal is to enhance beauty, masculinity, sincerity, intelligence, approachability, toughness, or fearlessness, among other characteristics.
Are they readable? Perhaps. Can one discover inner qualities based on peering into the face facing him? Sometimes.
Early in life, humanity displays the features it inherited. Later, the adventurous or the unhappy try to transform their appearance.
Others are transformed by their character.
Men display beards or mustaches. Tweezers pull out unsightly hair for both sexes, and high foreheads find long strands traveling downward to cover the upper section by intent.
Moisturizers keep the face soft, while sunscreen helps protect it from the sun’s harmful rays, which can age the skin and cause cancer. Makeup and lipstick play their part.
Time changes body language, and unconscious modification defines the impression one makes before he speaks. Hardness, menace, kindness, indifference, severity, or gentleness might become apparent.
Eyes are sympathetic or piercing. The orbs hold a glance or turn down and away. Inner strength can be read as contempt. The masked face of one who does not wish to be thought of as vulnerable becomes unbecoming. Faces range from welcoming and confident to haughty or insecure.
Lincoln said, “Every man over forty is responsible for his face.”
George Orwell added, “At fifty, everyone has the face he deserves.”
The phrase about-face is both a military order to change direction while standing at attention and a reversal in point of view.
So much of life is about face. A public disgrace or humiliation is described as a loss of face.
All manner of facial expressions can become a person’s arsenal for social interaction. Think of a smirk or frown, interruptions, talking over others, and raised eyebrows.
Add a visage full of contempt, the expressionless deadness of preferring the phone to a lunch partner, boredom, frequent laughing at a so-called friend, and an intimidating presence or state that makes an individual appear twice his size and scary to small children.
Better to unveil the face of an angel if one can.
I am close to a few.
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The top photo by Paul Aigner is of the journalist Olenula for the newspaper “Lukhovitskie Vesti.”
The poster below it features Konrad Adenauer, who served as Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1949 to 1963 and was the first leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Both are sourced from Wikimedia Commons.
Oh my….the quote from Lincoln. New to me and I like it – very much.
I often think I read too much into expressions – teasing out disparities and incongruence between what’s conveyed visually – as words are spoken – and what I actually hear. Positively maddening!
But your words, Dr. Stein – here in this post? They put a smile on my face to start the day and I can see you smiling back. Thank you! ❤️😊❤️
I am smiling, as you expected, Vicki. Thank you for the glow! Our therapy backgrounds lead us inevitably to look for what is informative about those we treat. I can’t imagine turning it off outside of the consulting room, though we might choose not to mention it. My guess is that in your reading into the expressions of others you and they come out on the plus side.
What a lovely thing to say, my friend. Thank you, Dr. Stein! 💝
I’ve always been fascinated by the phrase ‘face-off’ and its various meanings.
Lincoln was a wise man, a leader who was at the right place at the right time. I’m reminded of the story of the little boy who suggested that Lincoln grow a beard because his face looks so sad cleanshaven. Nice post with so many meanings for face. I’m going to have to be mindful that I put on a ‘good face’ tomorrow when I head back to school after winter break. Thanks for the encouragement. Have a wonderful week.
Back to school! I do remember the feeling, both as a student as a university professor. You have done this before, Clay, so I don’t doubt you will have the right face on. The kids will be lucky to be in your presence. Thanks.
William Shakespeare—”The eyes are the window to your soul.”
Somehow I missed that quote, Pete, though I’ve read a good number of Shakespeare’s plays. A question. Do we have to clean the windows first? Thanks for tolerating my humor and more.
A wonderful essay about how we face the world, Dr Stein! I love your quote from Lincoln. Our inner peace or lack thereof is so visible so it reminds me to do my work!
Thank you, Wynne. Knowing you, I don’t doubt that your work will get done and done well.
There’s nothing so beautiful as the face of a baby and all of the dear little expressions that converse without words.
I cannot deny it, Lori, and appreciate that you added something to the essay. The dearness and beauty of our children is beyond our words, as well. Nothing more touching in life. Thank you.
I try not to dwell on the stories my face tell the world.
This is certainly your choice to make, Rosaliene. Thank you for offering a new perspective to the essay.
Hehe, after 50 we have the face we deserve! As a woman, I became invisible in my late 40s, early 50s. I did have someone come up to me and comment that my face made her want to smile… I’m taking that as a compliment not an insult, for it could go either way! Happy new year!
Thank you, Tamara. The face of your photo makes the compliment understandable. You might know the book by Germaine Greer called “The Change.” It deals with the impact of menopause and the loss of men’s gaze. Greer said she was quite comfortable with that loss. Nonetheless, I doubt that you would be invisible to me. Thank you for your good New Year’s wishes and may you also fulfill Mr. Spock’s wish to “live long and prosper.”
Yes, Beth. Multiple meanings, from hockey to a test of human confrontations of other kinds. A fine addition to the conversation, Beth. Thank you.
This is a great reminder that our faces tell our story, and not just about our age. It definitely made me think about the kind of expression I’m choosing to wear each day.
My guess is that when your child appears, you are going to have the brightest, most loving, and pleasing face anyone has seen in a long time, Erin.
Yes, undoubtedly!! 🥰