As a popular adage goes, ‘A smile is a curve that sets everything straight’. But in the age of COVID-19, you might have to rely on more than that to make things fall into place. Reason: The face mask, which is mandatory when you step out, hides the smile as well as other expressions and non-verbal cues. While many in Mumbai rue the loss of charm that comes with flashing the pearly whites, some feel a huge weight lifted off their shoulders at not having to ‘fake’ a smile.
‘Will miss seeing people’s smiles’
One of the collateral spin-offs to the mask is that it will affect how friendly we appear. For many, that is an awkward thing. Says Amjad Khan, a corporate executive based in Andheri, “Emotions that we display via facial language are lost with a mask. And at a time when anxiety is at a high, a simple smile can be comforting and puts people at ease. We will miss seeing people do that now. Also, you may say something witty to someone and the smile completes it to denote that you’re kidding, but now people may end up explaining that they are just joking.” Actress Dipannita Sharma, however, believes that a smile will find a way to make its presence felt. She says, “Communication will certainly be different in the new normal, where expressions are restricted due to a mask, which is mandatory. We still have eyes to smile with. If it’s a real smile, it will reach your eyes, so don’t stop smiling.”

‘Going to be less taxing as I don’t have to force myself to smile’
Says Churchgate-based marketing executive Aarti Aggarwal, “In my line of work, having to wear a smile is incorporated into our work profile. But it gets tiring to sit in meetings and listen to people or communicate while keeping up the happy demeanour, irrespective of whether one is tired or not. With the new rules and the mandatory mask on, I can just be myself; it’s definitely going to be less taxing.”

Replace the smile with a thumbs-up sign, says body language expert


The facial mask may have given rise to a few communication complexities, but there is a way out. Body language expert Khyati Bhatt shares other non-verbal cues that you can use when interacting with people in a mask. “Expressions that are part of daily conversations, like dislike, also get hidden along with a smile. For instance, we show disgust on the nose or compress lips to denote contempt. All these will get replaced by new cues. Raising eyebrows is also going to matter a lot now. If you don’t like something, then lean backwards or orient your body away from it. As for the smile, you can let your eyes express that emotion. And if you can’t, use the thumbs-up sign or simply nod.”
Tech to the rescue with smiley masks and ‘voice-activated LED smiles’
Can’t flaunt your natural smile? Wear one on the mask. Companies are creating ‘smiling’ face masks that display an upturned mouth or a cheesy grin. A Swiss firm is also reportedly designing a clear, biodegradable mask for healthcare workers that will allow the face to be seen. A video game designer, Tyler Glaiel, has come up with an LED mask that is voice-activated and lights up to imitate mouth movement; it even creates a lit-up smile.