Facial Reactivity

I was in the Mithra store today, and I was talking with the manager...I think it was the manager anyway - very nice guy. We were in a lengthy discussion while I was being checked out, and he asked how long I was going to be here in India. I replied, "Until May of next year". At that moment I got a typical reaction, and I thought folks should know what they look like when I make that statement to them.

The first thing that happens is the eyes widen and bulge out, and then there is a gasp of air that is released repeating my last words in the form of a question "next year???". So the typical reaction is a wide eyed gasping burp of sorts. It's very funny, and I try not to laugh.

For those of you who have told others about my story, you may have seen the same facial reactivity (yes, reactivity is a word. Look it up if you don't believe me). If so, please comment and post pictures of the reaction. I really don't have the nerve to take someone's picture during this odd facial expressive moment.

I'm noticing that the people I work with, who have had similiar facial moments, are now accepting the reality of my visit like a stray puppy who sits on your door step every morning looking at you with its sad eyes. Over time, you can't help but feed the poor helpless beast, which is of course the worst thing to do. I guess this is a warning to those folks around me right now...do not feed the stray foreigner as it will only encourage him.

There are a few other facial expressions I've seen from those who don't know my story. One is the head tilting, squinty eyed, ebrows pulled down "who is this person, and what are they doing here" look. There is the "what the ****" look, and we all know that look. Another look is a "what is that laying on the ground, and should I touch it" look. Yet another is the constant stare, "I've never seen that before, what is it, and where did it come from." look. The best look is the jaw dropping, dumb-founded, blankless expression, while rubbing the eyes "It's not real. It's not real, no, no, no, keep saying it, it's not real" mantra look.

I think the moral of this story is that if you are living an interesting life people will always look at you in the strangest of ways. I know that when I bicycled from Seattle to Orlando, the facial reactivity meter went off the chart.

While I'm on the subject, here are some other facial reactivity moments:

"I'm at the Police Station."

"You missed our anniversery."

"Honey, I'm pregnant."

"Dad, I'm pregnant."

"I'm at the Hospital."

"I told you that milk was bad."

"Is that your car alarm going off?"

"Didn't you lock the door?"

"Is that gas I smell?"

"Now is the time to use your cushion as a floatation device"

If you have a comment that has caused massive contorted facial reactivities (yes,reactivities is a word also)...Please post it in the comments section.