Why Do Americans Smile So Much?

One of the most obvious signs that someone is American is their smile. Big, toothy grins make Americans stand out in a crowd, and are a total giveaway to complete strangers. While many have observed this common trait among North Americans, it turns out that there’s actually a scientific explanation for this.

These megawatt smiles are forms of nonverbal communication. Research has shown that countries with higher rates of immigration – such as the US and Canada – have higher levels of emotional expressiveness. Different languages and cultural barriers mean people have relied more on nonverbal queues to communicate; as the author puts it, “when there are a lot of immigrants around, you might have to smile more to build trust and cooperation, since you don’t all speak the same language”. Another reason these over-eager gestures are ingrained in American culture is because happy, high-energy emotions are valued, and because of the need to bond socially.

Essentially, smiling is a social and nonverbal tool that has helped diverse populations communicate and build bridges – even though it might catch some off guard, and seem a little strange.