Yes, there are cultural differences globally in regards to smiling, as well as many other examples of body language in public. This in fact is noticeable within America itself when you compare subcultures (e.g. Southern California vs New England). You are making dumb points while assuming our ignorance. All for what… to explain Melania’s facial expression at the inauguration? Dumb!
Uh, I have to disagree with this. I regularly travel to the US at least once a year and I’m still freaked out by constant smiling (that and the fact that everyone uses first names). It’s deeply disturbing and it makes me feel like everyone’s psychotic.
You posted a photo of Croatia’s female president looking admiringly at Donald Trump, the obvious implication being that Trump radiates alphaness to the degree that a photo from a public event demonstrates his utter irresistibility to women.
I posted a photo of his own wife, standing behind him at his own inauguration, with her smile melting into a frown the moment Donald turns away (the full moment captured here: Melania Trump Definitely Loves Her Husband and Is Very Happy to Be Here), the implication being that maybe Melania is no longer so enamored with the Donald.
Do I think a single moment in time captures the Melania-Donald relationship? No matter how funny the GIF looks, of course not. Likewise, I don’t think a still photo of a Croatian woman looking at Donald illustrates that he is a fighter jet made of biceps that women cannot resist.
Perhaps you don’t notice that as it’s normal for you, but for us non-Americans that’s the most striking and disconcerting aspect of US culture. Well, that and the morbidly obese people.
And don’t get me started on the small town friendliness and politeness. On one hand I think that’s great, small communities and all that but the other hand there’s a nagging fear I’ll be dragged into a barn and sacrificed to someone/something.