Do you fake emotions and/or facial expressions?

Have to. It's a part of social interaction.

Used to be a bit like Dexter, had to fake all emotion because I was just so depressed all the time. Was not good at facial expressions


Yup, I'm a real bucket sunshine today

I only fake being an NT all day but I wouldn't know about expressions unless people are asking why I looked so angry all the time.

I've found that faking anything usually leads to more complications than it avoids, so no.

I definately have had to fake emotions and facial expressions. I can sort of pass off as an NT but I really have to try at it. Even then people seem to instinctly sense that I am different. The only emotion I have had no problem expressing to others is laughter.

This post was last modified: 05-08-2011 05:01 AM by shrineyguard.

I can't fake anything. I am too honest.

I'd rather be honest with my emotions. As for facial expressions, I don't really bother that much. People don't always understand my facial expressions, but that's okay with me.

I don't even try to fake emotions. My facial expressions are generally neutral which people find offensive for some reason. Unless of course I should be showing pity/compassion/sympathy, then I get the uncontrollable aspie grin.

I fake both, but only when my feelings have been hurt and i don't want to show it.

I'll figure out a way to find safe homes for my cats and finally commit suicide before I'll resort to acting or role-playing every minute of the day.  To be forced to continually pretend for the privilege of existing would make me more miserable and self-loathing than I already am.

i dont bother with facial expressions anymore.

Halloween masks are great for making it a moot point.

I've tried. And tried HARD, but people always seem to know that I'm a bit different; a bit weirder than the kid who eats mud sitting in the tree on the corner of East Street. I guess it's because I have to think about it before I do it. "I like that, so it makes me happy, oh- I should smile now!" I have a delayed reaction I guess. I usually have a neutral expression as a default and it doesn't change unless I think about it.

I do fake facial expressions but not emotions.

Emotionally I feel I am rather balanced - steady - even keeled - expression wise I can feel great but look exactly the same - I am not a billborad for "WOW, I am so happy- I laugh at a joke internallly OR say - that was funny -that sort of thing) So my emotions do not fluctuate really... externally anyway.

(of being fine) (I would have to fake them because I am a parent and would not want to let my kids catch a bad mood) thankfully I don't get bad moods. I maintain a pleasant/open expression (looks like friendliness - ocassionally I have to keep an aloof not too friendly/businesslike face on, to not appear flirty to males) (apparently males take "friendly" wrong)

However - early on, apparently - my expression/s were dull... as in blank/bland face.  Neither smiling nor frowning.  Apparrently I looked rather disinterested most of the time. (I told my parents all the time "this is just my face", they were mad just looking at me - they thought I was projecting bored/unhappy and I had no reason to be that way)

I learned over the course of my life - by about late high school - to basically leave a pleasant expression on my face.  It is probably not my real expression (when I am very tired my real expression - none - shows) but I keep a pleasant expression (I have muscle memory by now) all the time. Even when I am driving I have the same kindish expression on may face (ever notice the other people looking all miserable - because they are NOT faking their expression as they think no one can see them?)

It is very easy to be considered dark / brooding / rude / miserable / unengaged / mad / sad / unlenlightened and the consequences of being thought about (wrongly) in that way can significantly impact success at jobs etc.,

(just read your post Lyghtie - "this makes me happy I should smile now"  LOL!  ) Can you actually manage a real smile at those times?

I have found that, for me, making a smile is not something I can do when thinking about - so I just keep the "pleasant/pleased look" on my face - and hope that the extra happiness comes thru in my eyes (I also use words - My kid does something really great, I think it is really great, I am happy for them... My face stays the same - but I SAY how happy I am, I use exciting/happy words/: I am extraordinarily proud of you,  - and give a hug... smiling is hard!

This post was last modified: 05-11-2011 03:48 PM by windy.

I fake both from time to time.

Jealousy is one emotion that I don't feel. My first girlfriend used to try everything to make me jealous. I ended up faking it because she was getting upset with me about it, thinking that I didn't care about her because I didn't get jealous when I should have. I used to fake anger when people were walking all over me and thinking they could get away with it because they believed I wouldn't get angry.

Facial expressions. I get tired of people telling me to cheer up because I don't look happy. So I put on a fake smile and the problem goes away. Actually, after living in Thailand and Indonesia where there is a social expectation to smile, smiling comes naturally after a while. I also sometimes put on facial expressions to appear interested in what people have to say. Raised eyebrow, tilt of the head, that sort of thing.