Empathy for Perma-Scowlers

Posted on by Sierra

Some people–some actually nice people–have permanent scowls. It’s not that they are in any way distraught, but their default face just kinda forms into a natural stink-eye.

I think this was most eloquently described in the movie Juno:

Juno says: Your little girlfriend gave me the stink-eye in art class yesterday.
Bleaker replies: Katrina’s not my girlfriend, alright? And I doubt she gave you the stinkeye that’s just how her face looks, you know? That’s just her face. 

Then, we cut to Katrina De Voort:

Source
Now first close encounters with Perma-Scowlers can be a little intimidating. I, myself, was startled just minutes ago by a Perma-Scowler sitting across from me at this little cafe. I reached into myself and thought, “What have I done to make such a mortal enemy so quickly? Was it my sneeze? I did sneeze rather loudly…” But as I wondered about my own offenses, I couldn’t help but study my stink-eyed companion.
She scowled through an entire chapter of a leisure reading. She scowled when filling her water cup. She even scowled as she emerged from the bathroom, after which, most people stop scowling. Now, there was a slight break in the stink-eye as the server brought her food, but upon sinking her teeth into her delicious grilled chicken sandwich, her face quickly lapsed into Kristen Stewart Mode. 
Image Source
Logically I concluded after my studies that she didn’t give me “the stinkeye that’s just how her face looks, you know? That’s just her face.” 

 For Perma-Scowlers, I always just hope they’re also beautiful because I think the life of a Perma-Scowler might be a lonely existence. They are so immediately alienating that no one dares to crack beneath the surface of the slanted eyebrows!

 So next time someone gives you a big old crusty, counterbalance by giving them a hug! If they resume scowling but otherwise seem pleased, you will know that’s just the way their face looks. If they hit you after, you might assume they were scowling for a reason. But they might still have needed a hug.

*I do not endorse hugging Kristen Stewart.

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  1. Jul 05, 2012
    Elly-nator

    Did you hug your new buddy?

    Reply
  2. Jul 05, 2012
    Rachel

    What a nice way of thinking about these kind of people? Mostly I just feel scared so I stay away from them…that probably doesn't help their perma-scowl at all.

    Reply
  3. Jul 06, 2012
    adrienne

    As an inadvertent semipermascowler, I appreciate your understanding.

    Now, I need to get a botox appointment to erase the semipermascowl.

    Reply
  4. Jul 06, 2012
    Me

    I'm a permascowler…inherited it from my mother. Nothing to fear…it's just my face, you know? Just my face 🙂

    I fear the amount of botox it would take to erase the very deep scowl lines between my eyes!!

    Reply
  5. Jul 08, 2012
    Deidre

    I think I might have a perma scowl…Well, actually that can't be true because I get approached by strangers ALL THE TIME. so They must think I'm approachable? Maybe I should work on my perma scowl..

    Reply
  6. Jul 09, 2012
    Meg {henninglove}

    perma scowls don't they know they will be scowl lines, unlike those of us who laugh who will get laugh lines. kristen bugs me just because i never see her smile, why are you always so sad?

    Reply
  7. Jul 14, 2012
    Chelsie Clarke

    I have one of those said perma-glare faces!! If I don't have the largest smile across my face, I look like I am going to kill somebody. ITS THE WORST! People always mistake me for hating them/life. ITS NOT TRUE! I'm not kidding, people are constantly asking me whats wrong… even strangers will come out of nowhere & say "oh, life can't be THAT bad! What's wrong!? Put a smile on your face!" … which makes me want to really scowl at them. bahaha

    Reply