Best Posts in Thread: Black Men Don't Smile?

I personally think, in photos, my stoic face looks better than my smiley face. Even in photos where it's natural and not forced, sometimes my smile looks off to me.

But for others, I agree with @DreG that they may be going for a cool/laidback look, one that portrays strength rather than fun.

 

....N*ggas can miss me with that hyper-masculinity bull sh*t....that sh*t is going to kill us.

It's just a f*cking smile, not the proclamation to the cracks in your self-defense.

 

That's just a thing with guys trying to be cool and stuff.Some people feel like smiling is goofy/corny and shows vulnerability.

 

Im just not very photogenic. No1 in my fam is. So I rarely smile in pics cus they go wrong.

 

It's just like some Black dudes not wanting to shake their ass in the club or a dancing environment. Some guys won't even two step, because even to jiggle one ass cheek isn't manly in their Man Law rule book.

For some men, they might not like taking pictures. However, other men with their "A Man Is Not Supposed To..." issue, they need a reality check.

 

I always smile in photos. I'm like the toddler that instantly smiles when an adults says "cheeeeeese" even when not holding a camera. My parents spent a lot of money on my teeth when I was a kid so I always show 'em off, lol

 

I do whatever I feel like at the time the pic is taken. Most times I have a nonchalant scowl but not opposed to smiling.

 

Don't take this the wrong way, but seriously IMO you had one of the best pics in there. I wanted to save it to my computer! lol (this is embarrassing but I just don't care).

But I remember reading before of you talking about 'mean muggin' (when I lurked). And that is true. You look very...intimidating. Kind of like 'Wow he is really good looking.....but is he a serial killer? I better cross the street now.' lol

no disrespect or anything meant with this. Hardly any of you were smiling. I am the same way- I don't smile for pics. I also have always hated having my pic taken. People have told me that I look very 'aloof'.

 

A lot of us are taught to be stoic, and to keep our "game face" on. I remember my dad rarely smiled. Most of time his expression seemed to convey being nonchalant, bored, annoyed, or pissed off. @DreG and @Jaa make a valid point though about a smile conveying vulnerability and stoic expression conveying strength, or coolness. From my experience growing up dudes would screw with you if you appear to be happy just kill your vibe. Bruthas that had that permanent "don't fuck with me" look got left alone. For me appearing stoic or even having a scowl has become so normal I don't even think about it. Which is why I almost never smile in pictures. Also I don't think my smile looks that good. My pix seem to come out better when I have a stern expression.