Resting bitch face

[peacetraveler22]

Today I was reminded of a unique phenomenon we call "resting bitch face" in English. I'm not sure if this expression is used in Russian, but it refers to people (mostly women) who always have an angry, annoyed or irritated expression on their face. The expression does not always correlate with the emotions of the particular moment, and there have been some psychological and physiological studies to determine whether resting bitch face is genetically inherent, or whether it's a true reflection of a person's mood or personality. There has been no conclusive answer. :) Normally, I'm a very cheerful, smiley person but lately it seems I probably have this resting bitch face expression too often. Do you know women, or men, who always have this look of displeasure or irritation on their face? There are several female celebrities who have notably been diagnosed as having resting bitch face - Kristen Stewart, Anna Kendrick, Victoria Beckham. Just look at photos of them online, and you will see it's true! Personally, I could never date or constantly be around someone who always looks like a sour puss! :)) A nice smile is immediately inviting, while a look like this screams "stay away!"

Comments

[sergechel.livejournal.com]

Kristen Stewart got a "sad bitch face"

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I think she's quite beautiful, and it seems plenty of men like bitches. :) Nice girls finish last.

[beloborodoff.livejournal.com]

Here in Russia we have different opinion about face expresions. Everyone has this resting bitch face. Smiling considering dull an unpolite almost like agresion. Dont smile to strangers in Russia ! Its dangerous.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Well, good point. I forgot that I'm writing for a mostly Russian audience. :)) So, this expression might seem normal to them, but not for an American. Smiling in Russia is not dangerous. I have survived three times there! But people will definitely look at you as an alien sometimes. :))

[moskitow.livejournal.com]

Once in a while I put on my "Russian face" and then my coworkers asking if something bad happened or if maybe I'm sick or something....
Sometimes you need this facial expression so people would leave you alone :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

:)) Good strategy!

[olgorius.livejournal.com]

Does the "resting bitch face" implies that person is a bitch by itself? :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

If you see a woman with this facial expression do you want to approach her? Yes, "resting bitch face" implies that the person has a bitchy disposition.

[sergechel.livejournal.com]

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

The balloons brighten the photo and atmosphere. This expression looks sad to me, not bitchy. I think there's a subtle difference. :)

[theodorexxx.livejournal.com]

ah yes i know that expression , it says "how dare you not to kneel before the queen!!!!11"

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I don't behave as a queen or princess, and don't wish to be treated as such. Your other comment will go unanswered.

[theodorexxx.livejournal.com]

*related to your previous post*
How are you, a snow white who received an apple or a Bad Queen who gave the apple?

But Shannon, make no offence, I think you know you are "wide". In russia we call those women
" she is able to stop a stallion at full speed". I have to add - perhaps you can not only stop it but carry it a bit.

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

I have :)

Maybe not always but often.

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

I specially changed the pic in this comment.

[aavenger.livejournal.com]

Wanna compete this beauty and The Master? :))) Sound ON, please :)))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I don't like cats! I think they are all bitchy and sneaky! :) My sister has two and they are always hissing at me, in a much more violent way than the beast in this video. :)) What is "The Master"?

[kremlin-curant.livejournal.com]

But why it "resting"?
The best resting place is your bed, not mentioning your graveside

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Resting, because the expression stays the same. I guess the thought is that most people are still, and rarely move in their sleep. But I constantly toss and turn all night.

[elena-88888.livejournal.com]

Your expression is more...rich I would say...
In Russian I can remember the describing one only as for ex. "She is always displeased with everything"...

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I know such people, but try to avoid them. They are so exhausting!

[sun-jr.livejournal.com]

My guess in Russian out will more like "ебало кирпичом". Sorry for swearing and, of course, nothing personal. :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I cannot take it personally because I don't know these Russian words. :))

[rina-grant.livejournal.com]

We don't have a word for this even though we have _tons_ of constantly unhappy-looking bitches women. Especially among "educated" classes.

It's true that Russians don't smile a lot but a friendly person still looks friendly even when he/she isn't smiling.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, a person can still put off a pleasant and inviting vibe without smiling. There are many factors to the equation. :)

[xena-kost.livejournal.com]

Well, this face expression is very common among Russian speaking women. I hope you did not contract it via LJ communications)))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's contagious! :)))

[piterburg.livejournal.com]

IMHO, resting bitch face is a good way for a woman to fend off unwanted male attention, or at least some of it that is fendable..:-)

There is also something called "bitch shield", have you heard this one?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Of course, females know all these tricks. :) But a lot of men are attracted to this bitchy personality over a nice one. They see the woman as more of a challenge. Something to "conquer" and "tame." :)

[maryasha-b.livejournal.com]

Oh, I see way too many resting bitch faces around! Don't like it at all, i am also very smiley person and expect people to smile back at me.

Ничего страшного, всё меняется к лучшему

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

Сейчас уже делают косметические уколы в губы, формируя их по всякому - пройдёт немного времени и люди додумаются с помощью инъекций формировать рот так, чтобы он всегда улыбался. Многие писатели уже задумывались об этом, это даже, по-моему есть в знаменитом "1984".

[maryasha-b.livejournal.com]

Nice experession by the way! I should remember it)

[voleala.livejournal.com]

There is a woman who often posts her pictures in Your_Look_Today community. She definitely has that expression on her face in almost every picture. :)
In Russian I would call it "стервозное лицо".

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I didn't even know about this community. Not sure which woman you're talking about though. What's her LJ name?

[creaze.livejournal.com]

Which is it? The one on the left or on the right?

[barabaan.livejournal.com]

This expression isnt bitchy enough, try harder ;-)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It's not really my nature to be a bitch, well unless you really screw me over and then you will feel the wrath of Shannon. :))

[(Anonymous)]

This stereotyped thinking leads to nowhere (in my view). External or internal factors influence the mood, which then manifest itself in facial expressions. If those around you all have that bitchy look, then you should worry. :)
Because...
A. ...it is something personal /they hate you
B. ...it is deemed to be inappropriate/insane
C. ...they are clearly worse off and therefore it isn't the right place for you to stay

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It is not stereotyped thinking. This is a physical and mental condition that has been studied by doctors and scientist to determine the cause of the expression. Google the terms "resting bitch face" and you can see the studies.

[perycalypsis.livejournal.com]

Americans have special facial expression I would call 'the distrust of the Russian'

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Most Americans think absolutely nothing about Russia or Russians. It is not even on their radar screen. We are mostly concerned with domestic issues here, like most countries.

[den-dark.livejournal.com]

Resting Bitch Face is really type of face - not type of face expression as I know.
In Russia I don't think we use that term anyway. I always used it in English. And don't trust to much to people who claims that Russians don't like smiles. We do, and prefer smiles to sour expression. But we always try to be serious.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Sure, many Russians smile. The main difference is societal customs with strangers, where people in the U.S. frequently smile and speak with strangers, and this has not been my experience in Russia.

[saccovanzetti.livejournal.com]

hate that arrogant look! ;)

what were you looking at?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

This photos was taken last summer in Maine. I was actually on a beautiful sailboat, on a gorgeous, breezy and cool day. So, I'm not sure why this expression appears on my face. :)

[anna-sollanna.livejournal.com]

Well, I have never noticed this "resting bitch face" but in Russia I used to notice very often another expression on female faces. It was a mixture of contempt and sneer, and it was the usual face worn by teachers and other women who's got high education but didn't earn enough money in their lives. In their childhood and youth they were taught that they shouldn't swear, shouldn't fight like boys etc. So all they could do in a situation when they were offended or angry was to show how they despise their adversaries, to show the latter that they are mean and miserable in comparison with a woman they have offended. As a rule, adversaries (especially if they were from a lower class, some hooligans without even the full secondary education) were not frightened by such an expression but it was the only "defense" of these women, and they used it too often and finally such a face fixed tightly to their faces...

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I know some people tell me gender relations are much better now in Russia, but some of my male readers make me constantly shake my head due to their rudeness and barbaric thinking about a woman's place in the world. :((