Karen’s Chat – Resting Faces

Have you heard the phrase ‘resting face’? Until I took a course in public speaking a few years ago, I hadn’t.

A resting face is when someone isn’t doing anything. In public speaking it’s how people appear when they are listening. It’s also the same expression you and I wear whilst watching television, reading a book, or simply lost in thought.

I find the older I get the worse my resting face becomes. It often displays the opposite to what I’m feeling. For example, my sister recently took a photo of me sitting in my chair reading a book. If anything, I looked miserable when in fact I was happy and contented.

I rarely do talks these days which made me forget the phrase until recently.

Strangers in the street, or those we meet whilst shopping often appear moody and unapproachable. Yet, here are two examples where I’ve been pleasantly surprised.

One day, I approached a building that had scaffolding erected around it as work was being carried out. Although there was a sign that pointed the way in, the entrance to the building was obscured by planks and poles. As a result I ended up taking the wrong path and met an older lady coming towards me.

I’d spotted her before I exited the car. She was well dressed styled hair, and a glum expression. As we headed towards each other, I asked her if she knew the way in, and she told me she’d been directed to where I’d just come from. 

We fell into step and began to chat about nothing much as we went inside. The lady was friendly and happy to chat. It made me glad I’d spoken to her.

The following day, as I stood in a queue at the tills in our local shop, a man in front of me inspected confectionery boxes which had been placed to catch customer’s eyes. He looked almost annoyed, with his mouth turned downwards.

Feeling light hearted after talking to the lady the previous day, I made a comment on the size of the boxes. His face brightened and we began talking as we waited to be served.

Now I know that doesn’t sound exciting or dramatic, but both encounters made me feel happy. Being in a place full of strangers, is often daunting wherever that is.

So, the moral of this story is to not draw into yourself when you see people whose faces are resting. The majority of people will respond favourably if you speak to them, and that is a wonderful feeling. You should try it sometime, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Take a look at the individual faces in this photograph. This is exactly what I mean. The audience look fed up, don’t they? But no, this probably a good representation of resting faces.