History Main / TechnicallyASmile

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* Averted in ''WolfsRain''; even in human disguise, the wolves never smile with their teeth. Neither does Cheza, but it might just be because she's pretty subdued in the first place. Either way, Cher and Hubb (the two actual humans), seem to instinctively pick up on the fact that smiling + teeth = bad around wolves. [[spoiler: It's not like they have much to smile about once everyone starts dropping like flies.]]
* Played with in ''MahouSenseiNegima''. When BigBad Fate attempts an EvilLaugh, it seriously freaks out Asuna, because "it doesn't touch his eyes".
* Kiyo in ''ZatchBell'' frequently smiles when he's not at all happy with a situation; it's more of an indication of altogether irritation and/or embarrassment, and is usually accompanied with MindControlEyes. Other characters, like Folgore and [[AuthorInsertion the mangaka himself]], are almost always drawn with that kind of smile, though.
* Ichimaru Gin from ''{{Bleach}}'' is ''always'' smiling the same, creepy smile.
** That's not the trope, but Kensei trying to comfort Hisagi in the Turn Back The Pendulum arc is.
* [[BlackLagoon Balalaika]] (pictured above) does this occasionally. It is on those occasions that the audience is reminded that, despite her [[AffablyEvil affability]], she's still a ruthless mass murderer.
** She gets a real smile [[http://tinyurl.com/yh65owd here]].
* It is noted about [[AloofBigBrother Sesshoumaru]] from ''{{Inuyasha}}'' that if he ever smiles, it is generally not a good thing.
* The [[OmnicidalManiac Millennium Earl]] from ''DGrayMan'' always smiles, which is creepy enough. When he gets really, really angry, his smile gets [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel very frightening]].
* For a visual example of the smile "not reaching someone's eyes", check out [[DarkerThanBlack November 11's]] picture on the PhenotypeStereotype page. Although only a few Contractors have MindControlEyes (the protagonist being one example), most Contractors (as seen by November 11) have fairly dull eyes. Thus, it's noticeable for all Contractors, the protagonist included, that their eyes will acquire a warmer look if they are genuinely smiling, but otherwise, chances are they are faking it/displaying DissonantSerenity.
* [[http://shortpacked.com/comic/book-10/02-i-am-also-batman/youarenotalone/ This]] ''{{Evangelion}}'' parody, courtesy of ''{{Shortpacked}}!''.
** Which is also a CallBack to Amber's "smile" in [[http://shortpacked.com/comic/book-1-brings-back-the-80s/01-just-a-toy-store/a-3/ this strip]].
** There is also [[http://visublog.mechafetus.com/archives/630 this other]] parody of the same moment. Notice the AT (Absolute Terror) Field.
* Sunako Nakahara from TheWallflower, when she is asked to smile, smiles like this.

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Humans are pretty much the only mammals to bare their teeth as anything other than a threat; this trope comes into play during those times when a "smile" conveys something more... animalistic. Look for the phrase "didn't reach his/her eyes" to appear.

** Her smile looks forced ''[[FridgeBrilliance because it]] '''[[FridgeBrilliance is]]'''''. The same as with the WerewolfTheApokalypse example above.

** And Granny Weatherwax, who has the "corners of her mouth turn up slightly when something bad is about to happen to someone she thinks deserves it".

Related to the CheshireCatGrin, SlasherSmile, TheUnSmile and PsychoticSmirk, Technically a Smile is when the narration (or narrat''or'', in the case of first-person) notes that the mere fact of baring one's teeth doesn't necessarily make a "smile", in the sense of an expression designed to convey friendliness, happiness or harmlessness.

Related to the CheshireCatGrin, SlasherSmile, TheUnSmile and PsychoticSmirk, Technically a Smile is when the narration (or narrat''or'', in the case of first-person) notes that the mere fact of baring one's teeth doesn't necessarily make a "smile", in the sense of a friendly expression designed to convey friendliness, happiness or harmlessness. Possibly the trope's related to the fact that humans are pretty much the only species to bare their teeth as anything other than a threat. Look for the phrase "didn't reach his/her eyes" to appear.

** But, since by the end of the series [[spoiler:she's proven that she's not totally evil]], she gets a [[http://tinyurl.com/yh65owd real smile]].

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[[BlackLagoon http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/balalaika.png]]

--> '''Kitten''': ''"And would it kill you to smile?"''
--> '''Robin''': ''(forcing a "smile") "Maybe."''
--> -''TeenTitans''

--> -'''[[CalvinAndHobbes Calvin]]'''

* AnneMcCaffrey's Acorna series eventually has the titular [[PettingZooPeople Petting Zoo]] {{Unicorn}} reunite with her species. There's a hiccup in the road because she, having been [[RaisedByWolves raised by humans]], will show big toothy grins which are threat displays to the unicorn people. It's really the only notable instance of culture shock.

* TruthInTelevision: There are several accounts of dog owners getting growled at, nipped, or even bitten by their frightened dogs after smiling.
** Also a TruthInTelevision in Sweden. Most Swedes smile without showing their teeth, and doing so is seen as a little intimidating. Apparently, "only crazy people or Americans smile a lot with their teeth."
** Wait, are the dogs smiling or the owners?
* RealLife example: If a chimpanzee (and possibly most apes) grins at you, it is more likely an expression of fear or aggression than friendliness.
** It's because when you grin, you show your teeth. As in "bare your weapons". And we humans turned it into an expression of joy. Early hominids must have been [[BloodKnight really]] ''{{badass}}''.
** Or perhaps it's the fact that our teeth aren't much good as weapons, having shrunk to leave more space in our heads for brains and give us more expressive faces. "I'm no threat, look how small and dainty and blunt my teeth are!"
** Actually, grinning is an expression of fear that became a show of submission in social primates. It's thought that's why it became a friendly gesture in humans - it's advertising that you don't want any trouble.

* This troper personally doesn't like smiling, as it causes her physical pain. Any attempt at a smile causes her to look much like one of [[{{Batman}} the Joker's]] victims.

<<|SmileTropes|>>

* Wednesday in the film ''AddamsFamily'' Values makes a pseudo-smile after an attempted brainwashing by being subjected to Disney movies. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T89dQxMbiUA It's incredibly creepy]].