It’s in the eyes: ‘Smizing’ – the smile of the Covid-19 era

"The soul, fortunately, has an interpreter – often an unconscious but still a faithful interpreter – in the eye" said Charlotte Brontë. I'd have to agree. Often, it is the eyes that give away the true emotions of someone, even if a fake or forced smile is stapled between the nose and chin. Still, the smile means something to society. It shows that someone is approachable, trustworthy, and – in the service industry – always willing to help. Now, as Covid-19 runs about, upending life as we know it, we find ourselves (most of us, at least) wearing cloth masks to curb the spread of the virologist's nightmare. A small sacrifice to make, but our favourite social construct is now hidden from view. As we adapt to the world à la Covid, we're swapping smiling for 'smizing' – the act of beaming with your eyes. – Jarryd Neves 

How to smize (smile with your eyes) when you're wearing a mask

By Jen Murphy

Restaurant servers typically prepare for shifts by polishing silverware and memorizing the day's specials. Since the coronavirus pandemic, the staff at Local Jones in the Halcyon Hotel in Denver have embraced an additional ritual: making faces.

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