I’m stocking up with masks and it’s not about Covid. I agree it’s beneficial to see other people’s entire face while interacting, particularly to get social cues: a smile, a frown, a curl of the lip. BUT I have found that wearing a mask, besides added protection from Covid, has benefits:
- Reprieve from social expectations. I can look interested with my eyes, while my mouth grimaces. It takes a bit of practice . . .
- Be amused when no one knows what I’m really thinking – give a twinkle to my eye when the mouth is puckering. This takes even more practice to not pucker the eye.
- Avoid colds and flu that circulate.
- Hide emotions like boredom when being regaled with the same story for the 9th time.
- Saves time and money not having to put on lipstick.
- No need to worry about bad breath, mine or others
- No one can tell me to “smile” through a bad day. That’s where practicing eye twinkling comes in handy.
- Makes me anonymous which is comforting since I’m introverted by nature.
When the pandemic is finally under control and takes on the status of seasonal “flu” I’m planning to be a SITUATIONAL MASKER.
judy