Why Americans smile so often: Immigrants are to blame (but it's inaccurate)

The American smile has always been a mystery to visitors, especially those from the former USSR. And for some, it can even be annoying. "Why are they smiling all the time?" This question was answered by the publication American Butler.

Stereotype or culture

American smile is a true cultural phenomenon. Modern Americans, at least the white part of the population, descended predominantly from European migrants. However, in their homeland, the Europeans were not particularly smiling. The Americans, figuratively speaking, are the very “engine that could”. Several centuries later, the smiling and benevolent nature of this nation amazes everyone.

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It is almost impossible to find out for certain why it is customary to smile somewhere, and somewhere it is too personal or even an alarming sign. The cultural code of communication has been formed over many centuries. Many scientists and enthusiasts have undertaken to look for the root cause, but as a result we have only a few theories.

Theory one: immigration is to blame

Smiling is a universal means of communication for Americans. This theory is the most extensive and most plausible.

In addition to the indigenous people (Indians), a huge number of nationalities lived on the territory of the future United States. Such a diverse population faced several basic survival questions:

• How to communicate in conditions language barriers
• Don't make enemies
• How to expand your social circle and look for/involve “their” people in the move

In such conditions, the transfer of emotions became more important for them than words, facial expressions and gestures came to the rescue. Smiling helps to show that you come in peace, that you like the people around you, and that you are in a positive mood. At a minimum, this removes the degree of tension, which is always present, surround a person with "strangers" - people of a different nationality, appearance, worldview, etc.

Theory two: commerce is to blame

America is a territory of developed capitalism. If not for capitalism, it is likely that the US would be a completely different country.

An effective sales tool is loyalty and personal contact. These tools are more important than any of the latest developments and industry efforts.

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The usual display of friendliness and the same notorious or fake smile cause a person to have more confidence and a desire to acquire something. A person subconsciously seeks a friendly environment wherever he is. smile in this case. - a lifeline for our brain. We cling to it and immediately want to unite, to consolidate our friendship with something. For example, help a person and buy something from him. These are instincts.

Naturally, the enterprising future Americans (namely, such at one time threw everything and went to a new unknown land across the ocean) understood this very well. The culture of commercial relations has penetrated into public life so much that the smile has become a norm.

Theory three: this is from a good life

There is no denying that in the States it is really very good: a lot of sun, varied food, proximity to water. All this naturally affects the human condition. People here are more relaxed, and therefore more positive.

Yes, there are many large and dynamic cities in America with a busy rhythm of life. but stress level and the anxiety of Americans according to statistics is almost three times lower than that of residents of Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

The United States has one of the highest standards of living, respect for individual rights, great career opportunities, and a pleasant climate. In addition, there is one of the highest levels of free social communication. Well, why not smile, if all is good?

Theory four: the fruits of the cult of food

American food, whether fast food or traditional home cooking, is loaded with fats and carbohydrates. Most carbs are broken down directly into sugar, which triggers the release of the pleasure hormone, oxytocin. This proven fact of neuroscience: The primitive part of our brain responsible for survival rewards itself for finding tasty food. Accustomed to so much pleasure hormone, the brain requires even more fast food.

This way of eating creates two features:

• The rapid obesity of the nationas it becomes more difficult to refuse food;
• replenishment and multiplication oxytocin by any available means, one of which is positive emotions.

The latter sounds complicated, but it's actually quite simple. The primitive instincts mentioned above also reward us for finding people who please us. If we constantly smile and laugh, have any other friendly contacts, the hormone of pleasure is synthesized in almost the same volumes as from delicious food. The brain perceives this as a safety signal. Thus, many biologists believe the American way of smiling is a peculiar feature of evolution. This is a measure developed by the body for its comfortable existence.