Accompany Quote by Paul Ekman
“If a person feels terrible, it usually should not be shown or acknowledged during a greeting exchange. Instead, the unhappy person is expected to conceal negative feelings, putting on a polite smile to accompany the “Just fine, thank you, and how are you?” reply to the “How are you today?” The true feelings will probably go undetected, not because the smile is such a good mask but because in polite exchanges people rarely care how the other person actually feels.”
About This Quote
Source Article: Social Interaction Norms, 2005
People often hide distress in brief greetings, leading to missed cues and superficial connections.
In simple terms: People hide bad feelings in greetings.
Key Takeaway
Be more attentive to underlying emotions.
Themes
social etiquette
emotional labor
communication
Mood
empathetic
reflective
Type
advice
observational
When to use this quote
- customer service
- casual conversation
- mental health check-ins
Key Concepts
psychology
social norms
emotional intelligence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we create spaces where true feelings are welcomed?
- What signals indicate hidden distress?
A Different Perspective
Superficial politeness can prevent genuine support.
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)
