Why Aren't You Smiling?

Guy: (Because I wasn't smiling) Why are you so unhappy?
Me: I'm just not a naturally smiley person.

I wish that people would pay me money when they ask this question. It'd make me less irritated and help pay my bills. Apparently, part of my job as bar wench is to be so ecstatically happy during my whole shift that I smile hugely for 6-10 hours straight. I continuously get some wise-ass or another asking me why I'm not smiling. Granted, this has decreased since I began the practice of having my "bar face" wherein I've conditioned myself to look happy all the damn time (or, at least try).

There's one regular, in particular, who is very concerned with my state of facial expression. Last night may have shut him up (one can only hope) but I doubt it. He's even made these comments to Dave who is one of the most perpetually upbeat people I know.

Last night, I mentioned the comment to Dave, who said something interesting. The general idea of what he said is that when people ask why you're not smiling they're trying to put you on the defensive. It's a power game whereby you have to justify yourself to said person. When asked this question, you can either respond with an explanation of your unhappiness, or assert that yes, you are in fact chipper as hell. Either way, you're called upon to explain your emotional state. Those bastards. I oughtn't need to justify my emotional state to most people, let alone some random guy in a bar.

Besides, I'd like to see him smile every day, the whole day, when he's at his job just to keep people from asking why he's unhappy. It's harder than it looks, bub.