👄
Mouthmoderate reliabilityobvious

Social/Polite Smile

A smile that engages only the mouth muscles, without eye involvement.

EngagementDiscomfortDeception

Visual Description

Lip corners pull back and up, but no eye wrinkles, eyes remain neutral.

Duration: briefVisibility: obvious

How to Observe

  • Check for eye involvement - key differentiator
  • Note timing - social smiles appear on cue
  • Quick onset/offset suggests social smile

Context Matters

  • •Socially appropriate in many situations
  • •Does not indicate negative feelings necessarily
  • •Common in professional contexts
  • •May mask other emotions

Common Misinterpretations

  • âš Not always insincere - may be appropriate
  • âš Some use habitually, not deceptively
  • âš Cultural expectations vary

Quick Info

Primary Signal
Engagement
Body Region
👄Mouth
Reliability
moderate
Duration

brief

Visibility

obvious

Opposite Signals