(not) Smiling in pictures

[Chris & Anna 1]

Is it a RUB thing to not smile by default in a picture? I just got back from a vacation I took with my fiancee, and in most all our pictures, she has a stone cold face. Every now and then I caught a nice smile, but that was the exception. Seems like she would rather look like a model, with a constant serious look.

Just curious what your experiences are in this area.

Edited July 13, 2012 by Chris & Anna

[1HappyGuy 45]

I think it is a cultural thing but not a hard and fast rule. I have plenty of pictures taken in Ukraine with my wife, her family and friends with people smiling, but not all the time. My brother in law made it a point of asking to see my drivers license to compare with his. He said, "Americans always smiling but not Russians". Maybe he would smile more is his wife was more like his sister.

[AmyWrites 593]

RUB women want to be models and so yeah I've noticed this too... especially among younger women. Also maybe I'm crazy but a lot of them seem to hate their teeth for some reason.

Edited July 13, 2012 by AmyWrites

[slim 1,514]

The stern, stone cold, "I must break you.", face is what my buddies and I dubbed "Russian smile" several years back.

Like saying hi to strangers on the street, there's really no need to feign happiness, enjoyment, involvement, etc., for Russians in their pictures. For a good laugh, ask your wife if you can see her school pictures. I've never seen so many mean looking seven year olds in my life.

According to her, they look how they look. They don't need to smile and pretend they're happy just because someone's taking their picture. There's also this school of thought in Russia that if you're always happy and look happy (and especially if you "whistle like stupid" all day long) that you're a dope and not smart and something bad is going to happen to you.

It's just one of those cultural differences that we can't really explain. I honestly thought there was a problem when I looked at photos of myself with Russians. "They're not smiling. The body language is all wrong. Obviously they didn't enjoy themselves. I don't think they like me." But, then you flip the page (how old did that just make me sound!) er, um, I mean, scroll to the next pictures and there are comments on there about how much fun they had and how it was a great and wonderful evening.

We actually pose for pictures now with "Russian smile." It's quite funny.

[spectec 12]

It's very simple. Russians don't smile without a reason. Taking a picture is not a reason. They smile if they feel like smiling, for example to see or hear something funny. Well i guess they are most honest people at least about feelings. If she or he gets big smile when s/he see you then you can be sure s/he likes you and its not a fake smile just to be polite or friendly

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Kira smiles for the camera but some RUB gals have that look on their face like they just swallowed a dog #######. It looks like a cross between a pout and constipation.

[TBoneTX 44,679]

[...] swallowed a dog #######. It looks like a cross between a pout and constipation.

How can they be constipated if a ####### is involved, huh man?

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

How can they be constipated if a ####### is involved, huh man?

They look kind of like the gals in the vid....

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

How can they be constipated if a ####### is involved, huh man?

Now that I think about it something like; "chewing on a lemon" would have been more appropriate. I apologize if I offended anyone. Poor choice of words on my part.

[eekee 182]

It depends on how much they want their vkontakte photo pages to look like a modeling portfolio. I have plenty of pics of my friends where they are smiling, making funny faces, etc. But there are definitely women who seem to think that their picture is going on the cover of the September issue of Vogue.

[Chris & Anna 1]

The stern, stone cold, "I must break you.", face is what my buddies and I dubbed "Russian smile" several years back.

Like saying hi to strangers on the street, there's really no need to feign happiness, enjoyment, involvement, etc., for Russians in their pictures. For a good laugh, ask your wife if you can see her school pictures. I've never seen so many mean looking seven year olds in my life.

According to her, they look how they look. They don't need to smile and pretend they're happy just because someone's taking their picture. There's also this school of thought in Russia that if you're always happy and look happy (and especially if you "whistle like stupid" all day long) that you're a dope and not smart and something bad is going to happen to you.

It's just one of those cultural differences that we can't really explain. I honestly thought there was a problem when I looked at photos of myself with Russians. "They're not smiling. The body language is all wrong. Obviously they didn't enjoy themselves. I don't think they like me." But, then you flip the page (how old did that just make me sound!) er, um, I mean, scroll to the next pictures and there are comments on there about how much fun they had and how it was a great and wonderful evening.

We actually pose for pictures now with "Russian smile." It's quite funny.

I think this is the funniest, most insightful thing I've read in a long time.

Also thanks for reminding me of Rocky IV. It might be time to watch that movie again.

[Neonred 3,517]

My wife always shows a big smile in her photos since I fixed and whitened her teeth. She still can have that "I will break you" look, but she saves that for when she is just around me.

[Brad and Vika 129]

According to her, they look how they look. They don't need to smile and pretend they're happy just because someone's taking their picture. There's also this school of thought in Russia that if you're always happy and look happy (and especially if you "whistle like stupid" all day long) that you're a dope and not smart and something bad is going to happen to you.

I will add this (smiling and whistling) to the already loooong list of activities that invite the evil eye. Vika usually does smile for pictures, but I do get "why should I act happy or nice when I don't feel that way?". I think taking pictures just makes her happy.

She still can have that "I will break you" look, but she saves that for when she is just around me.

Most married guys know that special look.

[TBoneTX 44,679]

Most married guys know that special look.

And the only appropriate response is "Yes, Dear, si ma'am"; "No, Dear, no ma'am"; or "I'm going over to the blondes' house for a few hours. If you need me, call me there, but I'll be otherwise occupied." ...Uh, NOT this last one, no man.

[slim 1,514]

there are definitely women who seem to think that their picture is going on the cover of the September issue of Vogue.

I'm married to one.

I think this is the funniest, most insightful thing I've read in a long time.

Just keepin it real.

Also thanks for reminding me of Rocky IV. It might be time to watch that movie again.

Classic. From the training montage running through the snow (with the KGB following) to the chant at the end when he makes that speech.

'80s movies rock!

Since we're on the subject, you should also watch Red Dawn again soon. Awesome movie. WOLVERINES!!!

And the only appropriate response is "Yes, Dear, si ma'am"; "No, Dear, no ma'am"; or "I'm going over to the blondes' house for a few hours. If you need me, call me there, but I'll be otherwise occupied." ...Uh, NOT this last one, no man.

My wife came home drunk the other night and I had to beat her with a stick. She just would not leave me alone.

"I HAVE TO GO TO SLEEP!"