It is known, for example, that while Americans favour a full-blown smile that showcases the teeth, British people have historically preferred tight-lipped versions of the smile. Psychologists have consistently shown that men with a high facial width-to-height ratio are not only seen as tougher and more attractive, they also have higher levels of testosterone and are actually more competitive.But there is always the possibility that the origins of Trump’s zipped smile are cultural rather than personal. Trump might also be unconsciously attracted to the zipped smile because it increases the apparent width-to-height ratio of his face, which in turn makes him look more masculine and macho. There is evidence, both from animals and humans, that mouth width is linked to readiness to engage in physical combat, and it has also been found that men with wider mouths are more likely to attain leadership positions. By avoiding a full-blown smile, he is able to appear circumspect, while keeping his options open – something he evidently likes to do.Īnother reason is that zipped smiles make the mouth look wider. One is that it makes him look less submissive. There could be several reasons why Trump is so attached to the zipped smile. The result of this is that the zipped smile appears more guarded – and because the mouth is stretched sideways, it makes the face look slightly wider. That’s because the risorius muscles, which pull the corners of the mouth sideways, are much more active in this case than the zygomatic major muscles, which pull the corners of the mouth upwards and are otherwise involved in a full-blown smile.

This is the smile that Trump defaults to when he is in the public eye: the mouth is closed and the teeth remain hidden.

Sick and tired smiley face images