9 types of smiles and what they mean

People can recognize a smile from a distance of over 90 meters (almost the length of a football field). It is an evolutionary trait designed to identify friends or foes. But smiles are a tricky thing to decipher. They can be used to express, hide, or even mask feelings.

If the smile of a friend or coworker puzzles you, look no further. This article will help you understand the underlying motive of the most popular smile types, which have been identified based on research conducted by 19th-century neurologist Guillaume Duchenne.

9 PHOTOS

1. Closed smile.

The preferred smile of politicians indicates that the person knows something important to you, but does not plan to share his secret. This smile is fairly easy to identify as it is similar to the sensation it portrays. You can see the smile, but closed lips will never reveal your teeth.

2. Crooked smile.

When someone is confused, it shows in their smile. One side of their lips tilts upward, meaning that there is something good for you in the future, while the other side tilts downward, meaning that things aren't going well.

3. Strained smile.

There are days when you are not in the mood to smile, and yet the situation requires you to imagine a smiling face. Or someone tells a not very funny joke and expects, if not your laugh, at least your smile should be a reaction to a silly joke. While your lips are trying to look happy and smiling, your eyes are betraying them.

4. A real smile.

Wide grin and contours around the eyes. This smile announces your happiness to the world. This smile is also contagious and everyone around you is happy too.

5. Smirk.

This smile reminds us of Draco Malfoy, a mocking and somewhat conceited smile that oozes with contempt for others. This smile, with lips slightly raised and eyes emitting hate, is not difficult to recognize. Anyone who meets this smile will immediately feel it. This is by far the preferred smile of narcissists.

6 Smug smile.

When the lips are pressed tightly together and one side is slightly higher than the other, this is a very difficult smile to decipher. Depending on the situation and the person, this can be a sign of arrogance or satisfaction. It can also be used flirtatiously in a very effective way.

7. An open smile.

An open smiling mouth can be great for photographs and be a sign of selfishness, but it may not look as good when used as the preferred smiling technique. But it cannot be denied that this smile exudes overwhelming happiness.

8. A flirtatious smile.

This smile is very similar to a smug smile, with the difference that you can bite your lips or lick your lips - which is very tempting. This is an incredibly mysterious, sexy, and attractive tin. It also makes the person look more attractive.

9. Pan Am smile.

The most daring smile, this smile is named after the smile of the Pan Am flight attendants, which they gave every traveler. As the lips open, trying to smile and expose their teeth, the eyes remain expressionless and hard. This smile does not convey emotion and shows that the smile is just an ordinary working one.