Grin Grimace Stoop Hunch

Grin Grimace Stoop Hunch
I’ve been noticing lately a strange set of human behaviors that are not usually called to consciousness. However, everyone knows about these. There are two sets of idiosyncratic behaviors that are not so idiosyncratic. Common idiosyncrasies. Who’s the oxy and who’s the moron now, huh?
The first one is the half-grin. This is used in social behavior when two individuals meet who really don’t know each other. There could be some familiarity between them, or they could be in a social situation that commonly demands a smile – and reciprocal smile between the two parties. However, the smile, being a little too familiar, does not quite fit. So, and you can try this at home, the half-smile is employed. This is done by using some, but not all of the smiling muscles in your face. Employ mostly the muscles immediately adjacent your mouth without using the higher cheek “…turn it upside down and smile that frown away” muscles. Want extra style points? Purse the lips a bit too, in a knowing fashion – poised and ready to say hello to the stranger should they break the half-grin barrier.
It seems that committing the whole face to a real smile is somewhat too personal or not worth the effort but not smiling at all shows gives off a stoic chill akin to the look I get from my wife after a good fart joke. So, instead of just looking ahead, or looking away (preferred, but not an option if you have been spotted looking directly at somebody as if you were going to have to pick them out of a line-up later) you just glance, give them the halfer, and move on. Not an issue. I am amazed how often I see this. I get it most at fast food restaurants – except In-N-Out where full-face smiles are handed out like Clinton pardons.
The second is the hunch. This is the act of walking in front of something, somebody, or a group of somebodys and stooping over slightly in Cro-Magnon form to avoid being seen, blocking view, or disrupting an event.
I see this one in several places. Church – when somebody comes in late (even in the back, strangely enough) they will walk in hunched over slightly. Movies – see the guy that got here late? So does everyone else even though he is walking as if his spine has suddenly given way. Conversations – when two people are talking in a hallway and somebody has to pass between them, there is usually a hunker involved. This move is usually accompanied by a streamline body turn so as to avoid getting too close to the conversators. This makes no sense to me but somehow it excuses them even if they don’t say it. The fact that their body posture demonstrates an inferior position allows the hallway conversation to continue uninterrupted.
Poop. See?