the smirk

What is it about the smirk? There are two types of smirks in our culture that seem to be most forms of communicating going on between people. The first one is the negative judgement of someone or something. It is a disapprovement without committing to be accountable for words. The irony is that denial is often the response when called on the judgement. The judgement smirk leaves a perceived out when the persecuted one just simply walks away knowing what the smirk is all about.

The second smirk is the look of confidence created by someone in a situation in which they are totally uncomfortable. Men do this often. The silent confident look without saying a word. I know, I understand, but the thought of having meaningful dialogue is totally out of the question. The depth either becomes a "how ya doin' " conversation, or an all out assault for the competition to determine who is right, or who is more intellectual. The confident smirk is the way to compete for those determinations without having to have a dialogue.

Either way, the smirk does communicate, and neither is very attractive or positive. I must not smirk.

(c) kenneth martin