One of the most disconcerting things about infants is that they only smile when they are pleased. They stare at visitors with round grave eyes, and when the visitors try to amuse them, they display astonishment at the foolish antics of adults. But as soon as possible, their parents teach them to seem pleased by the company of people to whom they are utterly indifferent.
Source: Bertrand Russell: On smiling (written in Aug. 17, 1932 and pub. in Mortals and Others, v.1, 1975.
More info.： https://russell-j.com/SMILING.HTM
* a brief comment:
The Japanese idol group Candies has a hit song titled Hohoemi-gaeshi (Smiling Back). In the lyrics of this song, the concept of "smiling back" is, of course, different in nuance from the "smiling back" associated with infants. The song describes a former girlfriend smiling back at her ex-boyfriend as he moves out, marking the end of their cohabitation. Her smile, filled with bittersweet emotions, conveys her well-wishes for his "independence." Bertrand Russell suggests that such responses or attitudes may have been nurtured during our infancy.
* Amazon Gift Card
