This is what I was told today…..
unbelievable and impossible.
She said “look straight, don’t smile and shut your mouth.”
You guessed right, it was in a photo booth to have new passport pictures taken. On those you are not allowed to smile. It was rather hard!
Needless to say I didn’t like that picture.
Can you think of a life without smiling…. no way!
A smile is the best curve on a woman….
A smile brings people together…
A smile makes happy…
A smile is free….
A smile can make a big difference in someone’s day…
A smile is contagious….
A smile starts conversations……
A smile makes the world a happier place.
“Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”
Mother Teresa
The world always looks brighter from behind a smile.
Sending you big smiles and enjoy the gift of today!
♥☼♫♥☼♫♥
Related posts: Smile
Ute smile 
Your post brought a big smile to my face, Ute. Thank you!
Russ
Great! These non smiling minutes in the booth were the worst minutes of my life…..
I was told the same thing when I got my passport photo, subsequently I look sort of tired and angry in mine. I try to present a happier image in person…I hope I really don’t resemble my photo.
Nancy, that is what I hope, I look spaced out, looking into nothingness…. those pictures are so unreal, yet that is how they want it… and they last 10 years… oh dear! Never mind , I shall always smile when I pass customs though…. 🙂
When my son and I got our passport photos last year, neither of us were told that. I’m so grateful for that. And even if someone told me not to smile while I was reading your posts, Ute, I would have to disobey them.
Haha I am glad you would…. this was the only reason I kept my mouth shut and didn’t smile, other wise no passport. And I do like to travel and smile in other countries… and specially when I pass customs…. hehe. Thanks Ann!
I know! I hate that about passports! And now we’re not allowed to smile on our driver’s licenses either – I think it’s because when we get questioned at customs or pulled over on the road we usually will most resemble a non-smiling photo! haha
Diana xo
You might be right, Still a smile might defuse a situation… who knows…
I was in my sister’s car today and she was reversing into a spot. These two old dears were standing waiting, so I smiled and waved at them. The smile that spread across her face was incredible. She just kept looking and waving and smiling. I don’t know about her, but it made my day
See how wonderful it is, it does multiply and make one feel warm inside! I am sure it made their day too!
I hope so 🙂
Say what? I was told that at the DMV. Now – my DL photo looks like a mugshot. Not that I’d ever had one taken before. But – that is so not me.
Keep smiling dear Ute!
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Oh yes, we leave the mugshots in the passport….. 🙂
I agree! smiles are worth a million and totally FREE!!!!!!!
🙂 🙂 🙂 YES YES YES
I totally agree Ute. A smile is worth a thousand words! Personally I think it’s silly that people are not allowed to smile on passport and ID photo’s but I guess they have their reasons. Because the photo must reflect how you would look standing before the immigration officer: apprehensive, worried, guilty and shifty. hahahaha
Thanks for the smile Ute. 😀 *hugs*
I would still smile…. 🙂 thanks … so my photo is not a true likeness! hehe
We have the same NO SMILE policy here. My passport photo is AWFUL. I am ashamed to be seen with it.
I think almost everyone is… so lets never show it to anyone! Lets just share the smiley beautiful ones!
Yes!
Schrecklich, diese Passbilder. Ich sehe darauf aus wie auf einem Verbrecherfoto “wanted”.
Ganz genau, so sieht es aus. Custums has no joy of life! Shame!
Hi Ute 😀 That’s what I like about you. You are always smiling. Ralph xox 😀
Thanks Ralph! You didn’t see me in that booth…. 🙂 thankfully 🙂
I am sure you have made up for that small relapse 😉
It’s mandatory that you look like a corpse in these passport photo’s. Never mind…you’ll have plenty of smiles when you set sail, or jetset away or whatever it is you’ll be doing on your next adventure 🙂
You are so right! Keep on smiling!
😊😃🌹
🙂
One has to smile… I’ve always wondered why we are not allowed to smile on a passport photo.??
Well if you see my photos you laugh out loud…. 🙂
I totally agree! One can hear if someone on the other end of the phone has a smile on their face!
I agree totally and I always try and smile on the phone at work. Thank you for your visit and lovely comment!
The last time I heard those words was when I was getting my photo for my driver’s license. I thought what? my smile can change who I am for real over a photo??? LOL
Those people are so miserable, no joy in life! We can smile at least all other times! 🙂
I cannot imagine you ever not smiling Ute! Keep smiling and shining! 🙂
I will Michelle, there is no life without a smile!
How about a Mona Lisa smile? Do they allow those? 😀
Not even those… shame… 🙂
That is a shame! Especially since I can’t imagine you without a smile. 😀
Thanks! 🙂
Next time, try a different place for your picture. I don’t remember anyone telling me to not smile.
But you raise a great question.
It was an automat. Still it does say on the instruction of the embassy not to smile…. on passport picutes. Never mind it is only that one! 🙂
This is why I have a smile blog.
That is the great thing Carl! 🙂
Don’t you find that if you are told not to smile, you automatically smile?
I know it is rather hard! … and my picture does not look good!
Who’s passport photo does?!
Like you, I found it rather difficult getting my picture taken for my passport! And the photographer saw it too. It was completely unnatural! Cheers, and let’s keep on smiling Ms. Smiles! xo Gina
Yes Gina, let’s keep on smiling. Well the passport lasts 10 years, I have to only ‘not smile’ in ten years again…. So that is not so bad!
Everyone looks better with a smile!! 😀 That’s why passport pics are so awful. 😦
♥ carmen
Exactly 😊
You have brought a smile to me so thank you! So what is it that stops us from holding onto our smiles more?
Shakti
Smiling makes the whole world freindlier I find, and improves our own well being, we should do it all the time!
Thank you Shakti for your visit and lovely commetn!
Love this one Ute! Fantastic, dearest friend! Sending the biggest smile your way along with big hugs of course. 🙂 xxxxx
Thanks so much Penny, your smile is wonderful so are you rhugs. Most welcome and cherished! 🙂
A lovely post Ute, it brought a warmth to my soul and I send my smile and love to you!
Much love. 🙂
Thank you for your beautiful smile and comment! Much love to you Seyi !
great line: the smile is the nicest curve on a woman…;) You know, i discovered long ago how powerful a smile can be–how it’s those people I like and am attracted to the most–how it takes bravery to smile at someone, risking the lack of reciprocity–but the reward literally gives me energy! the best example of this is when I am out running, and pass my fellow pedders and cyclists…the exchange can fuel miles…:) 🙂 <<couple extry for you, Ute…:)
Thanks Karen, I can add to that, that when I was Duty Manager in a hotel over thee weekend and I had to deal with complaints, I heard irrate customes on the phone, and I invited them to see me personally. I was prepared and greeted them with a smile, and it suddenly difused the whole situation and it could much easier be dealt with. A smiling face works wonders! 🙂
hugs and smiles~ 🙂 ♥
Thanks your smiles are lovely!
awe~ You’re welcome. ♥
🙂 🙂 🙂 I could not even imagine life with out smiles and love, I could not imagine you without a smile! Thank you for sharing both the smiles and the love! 🙂 Joe
Me neither….. totally me neither. Thanks Joe, you make me smile too!