We interrupt our usual posts on gender roles, slut-shaming and kittens getting bubble baths to give you this special public service announcement.
The lovely individuals at Broken People have provided a video that addresses the silent social-life killer: Bitchy Resting Face. Bitchy Resting Face, sometimes more commonly known as “chronic bitch face” or simply “bitch face,” is an issue that many women live with and silently suffer from. The worst part is that the average person can’t tell if somebody has Bitchy Resting Face. To them, the person looks as if they need a serious attitude readjustment, but really, that’s just what their face looks like. Tragic, really.
But don’t worry; this miserable condition is an equal opportunity tragedy. “Asshole face” is another unfortunate resting face anomaly, and it, too, affects many people who can do little to ease the negative consequences of their resting expression. See below for explanations and examples of both conditions.
I myself am afflicted with Bitchy Resting Face. Sometimes I can switch to Bitchy Smug Face (see profile picture) and Wide-Eyed Sex Pout (for Tumblr), but the default look is that of a disgruntled, disenchanted young woman. To be fair, most of what I say is a sardonic remark, and I purposely neglect having normal social graces half of the time. Regardless, when I say thank you for my Frapuccino, or compliment you on your Siouxsie Sioux shirt, I’m not trying to be a sarcastic bitch; it’s just my face that makes it seem that way.
So that, paired with the fact that my only two vocal inflections are “hostile” and “flirtatious,” has made for a very difficult life.
Regardless, thanks to this video I now know that I am not alone in this battle. In fact, two BUST cover ladies come to mind when I think of this disorder. Tavi Gevinson has talked openly with Jimmy Fallon about living with chronic bitch face. And Aubrey Plaza? She could probably be the Bitchy Resting Face spokesperson.
So for those affected, know now that you are in good company. Together we can fight the constant badgering of, “What the hell is wrong with you?” and “Why do you have to be bitter about everything?” Remember: you don’t owe anyone a smile.
And truthfully, it looks unnatural anyway.
