This past summer, I was an intern and a commuter (yes- you can feel sorry for me). Every day I joined the thousands of middle-aged business men and women as we shuffled monotonously onto the NJ Transit train, squeezed into the sauna subways, and walked so fast that I felt like I was running a marathon on the city streets. At first glance, it was clear that I didn’t fit in as well with the others; I’m 20 years old (although I am constantly told I look more like a high-schooler) and I often sported vans, jeans, and a blouse as opposed to the dark business suits and dresses. Still, I was always in a rush just like every one else, anxious to get to work on time with my grande Starbucks cup in hand and headphones plugged in.
SO: Why, somebody PLEASE tell me why, was I ALWAYS the first person that random NYC strangers approached?
I noticed the strange trend on my first day in the city. “Is this the uptown A train?” a random man asked me as we stood waiting for the subway. It wasn’t, but I smiled and directed him in the right direction, telling him to have a good day. Just a cute lost old man. No harm, no foul.
Later on in the day though, as I stood on line to get a smoothie, an older woman reflected on her life. “You ever wonder how elusive time can be? It’s just so precious and I never realized it before. I’ve been dying to watch American Sniper for the past few months and I…” At this point I zoned out, the women’s raspy voice merely becoming a whisper behind my own glaring thoughts. “WHYYYYYY MEEEEE”. I even grabbed my phone and started typing some things she was saying because of how bizarre I felt at that exact moment. Just to prove I am not making stuff like this up. All I wanted was my smoothie.
We’ve all heard of resting bitch face, the term used for girls who always tend to look angry and annoyed. These girls get all the attention, people feeling sorry for all the hardships of those who chronically look angry. But I made a conclusion: My name is Courtney Buckworth and I suffer from Resting Nice Face, a new term that must be recognized worldwide. Sure, you may be thinking it’s a great thing; how could suffering from a chronic friendly face ever bring you down? People must love people like that, right? Great question, thank you for asking. I’ve created a list of the hardships for all those who can’t ever seem to stop smiling.
NOTE: All of these events are real. For your own safety and ease of mind, do not try to imitate.
1.People approach you more often; some even scary people.
To the homeless man on the subway: I feel sorry that your family from Europe abandoned you and you were forced to move here alone. But please don’t stand so close to me and whisper these thoughts into my ear.
2.People don’t take you as seriously.
To the tech man at Best Buy; Sure, you can be nicer to me since I don’t seem like I get pissed off easily. But please do not try to sell me a printer for a higher price. Not cool.
3.People teach you the true definition of TMI. (too much information)
To the lady on my train: I do feel sorry that you rushed to the east coast a few months ago to help your brother out after his serious surgery. I can see why last week you were mad when it was 60 degrees and raining here while 90 and sunny in your hometown of Alabama. However, I do not have to hear all of this information at 8:30 a.m. on a Tuesday morning. And next time, please do not sit next to me on the 45-minute train ride; somewhere deep within this smiling girl is the desire to punch you.
Moving forward, I do not have an answer to my true first world problem. Comments, concerns, maybe even thoughts on what I can do to combat my tragic face would all be greatly appreciated. Just know that it isn’t only ones with resting bitch face who live hard lives.