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QOTD: Don’t Smile
Oh, how I hated those words! Nothing so annoys a young kid in a fit of anger or sadness as being told “Don’t smile!” by one’s mom. It ranks right up there with “Now shake hands” or “Hug it out.”
Dag nabbit, no, I want to pout! I want to hold a grudge. I want to cry or complain. Maybe I could even get revenge! Maybe I could languish or indulge. Hey, I’m hurt, so the world owes me a bit of selfish time!
Of course, it doesn’t. The goading reverse psychology of “Don’t smile!” might seem just a cheap trick to coax a child out of a dark mood. But it is actually an important step in the process of civilization.
Like gratitude, deliberate cheerfulness and letting go of disturbances are habits which benefit not only oneself, but society. Choosing to prioritize joy and harmony helps us to endure disputes and overcome cultural differences. To “smile though your heart is aching” is an act of charity and humility. Returning focus to hope and humor, though with difficulty, returns us to productive action. Loving when one doesn’t want to love reveals love’s true nature and worth.
Plus, it’s fun poking irritable kids.
This is for the Quote Of the Day writing prompt for August 2019. There are still many slots available.
Published in Group Writing
I love walking around and smiling and saying hello to people; some ignore me, but more often smile and greet me in return. It’s a terrific gift we give to people when we bring some sunshine into their lives and make their load a little lighter. Thanks, Aaron.
Jimmy Durante’s rendition of Smile was one of Grandpa’s favorites! Thanks for bringing sweet memory, and a “smile,” to my face (I think The Schnozz is one of those people, like Louis Armstrong, it’s impossible to listen to without breaking into a smile).
I like this one too:
And I can’t overlook this one:
Maybe the best advice ever.
I grew up with Jimmy Durante on the various variety TV shows (Ed Sullivan, Jack Benny, Dinah Shore, etc.) and could never understand his appeal other than his big nose. Yes, he’s an “entertainer,” but his voice is too raspy.
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I prefer Durante’s version of many warm songs repeated around Christmas. Louis Armstrong is simply the epitome of warm-hearted songs, though Bing Crosby ranks right alongside him.
I’m not familiar with Madeleine Peyroux, so thanks.
You remind me that the Brits have a similar “stiff upper lip” expression. Again, it’s a cornerstone of civilization — one which sharply distinguished northern Europeans from their Latin neighbors in recent centuries. The Italians lost civilization when they lost Roman stoicism. A habit of moderating one’s emotions greatly benefits all.
But I’m sure glad of boisterous jazz musicians.
‘Hug it out’? That’s the first time I’ve heard that.
The voice fits the song — of course, mainly because I grew up with the association. But imagine hearing an AC/DC song from a crooner. It might be good, but it wouldn’t be the same.
Bob Dylan has a notoriously poor singing voice. He was pleased when Jimi Hendrix covered “All Along the Watchtower” with a more melodic touch and dramatic flair. But I expect some still prefer Dylan’s version.
I’m a songwriter myself and one with a very limited vocal range. A creator’s limitations influence his works. If someone can perform my songs better than I can, that’s great. But I probably would have designed them differently if I had the range of Mariah Carey or the fluidity of Sinatra.
In art, no feature excels unless it fits.
Well, I have normally heard that particular phrase in criticism of making too light of a conflict. Republicans and Democrats, for example, can’t simply hug it out.
But like young men are sonetimes ordered to shake hands after a fight, kids are sometimes ordered to hug to reaffirm that they remain committed family whatever their disputes and differences.
Posted elsewhere, but this is too good/strange a fit here.
Now you’re just messing with me.
I thought the saying was
Thanks for correcting me on this.
My son hated me when I started singing Charlotte Web’s “Chin Up!” to him. He was a moody 7 year old and I went to great efforts to memorize the words to it.
My other favorite Smile song is “Your never fully dressed without a smile”.
My sister still hates “You are my sunshine” because it’s how our mom woke her up in the mornings. No philosophy or discipline can make rising from bed a pleasant experience.
My parents sang a cursillo song for that… “There’s a new day coming… coming ’round the bend…”
My grandmother used to say (of a pouting lip), “the rooster will come and sit.”
Not sure whether the pout was ended by amusement at the image or the tought of the indignity of the perching, but in either case the protrusion was retracted.
I was regularly admonished by the old wives’ (how sexist!) tale saying that if I didn’t put a pleasant expression on my face, the wind would change, my expression would stick, and I’d be pouting, or frowning, or sticking my tongue out, for all time.
For us, I think it was something like, “You better put that tongue back in before something bites it off.” The Brothers Grimm version, you might say.
Those Grimm boys knew a thing or two about motivating behavior.
We love Madeleine Peyroux also!
Smile was composed (without lyrics) by Charlie Chaplin in 1936 for the film Modern Times.
My favorite version:
My mother used to say, “You could ride to Boston on that lip.” I have no idea where that came from.
This is a song about a whale. No! This is a song about being happy. That’s right, it’s the Happy Happy Joy Joy song!
This is 2019. You can’t tell a woman to smile. If you tell a woman to smile she is authorized to commit felony grand theft auto against you.
Or, in the original telling, she is allowed to commit assault and battery, threaten to sever your hand unless you pay a ransom, and taunt you before committing grand theft auto against you.