Social Question

Adagio's avatar

What on earth does "resting bitch face" mean?

Asked by Adagio (14059points) February 6th, 2016

I’ve read this term several times recently. It sounds so utterly ridiculous. Do people actually use it when speaking? Can someone please tell me what is meant by the term?

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26 Answers

CWOTUS's avatar

It’s a great expression, when you get it.

Surely you know – at least, every married man I’ve ever had acquaintance with knows – what “bitch face” is, when a woman is giving it to you. Well, then, “resting bitch face” is the bitch face that you get when she’s not actively giving it to you.

chyna's avatar

When not smiling you look like you are mean or a “bitch”.

canidmajor's avatar

Another definition, and the one I’m most familiar with, is that a “resting bitch face” is when someone’s face in repose (essentially relaxed) just looks like she’s annoyed or angry, not reflecting how she feels. Just an arrangement of features.

Jak's avatar

I tried but can not link an article from CNN Health + but it’s dated 4feb and it says RBF is a real thing. I’m sure there Is a way to link that on a smart phone but I haven’t figured it out yet.

LuckyGuy's avatar

Well I learned something today. Here is the link @Jak was talking about. RBF is real .
Who knew?!

Cruiser's avatar

While there is no known cure for Bitchy Resting Face, except for smiling or telling people to p*ss off and mind their own business, there is science to back up the fact that it doesn’t always necessarily mean you’re wishing harm on everything you see….So, when someone tells you that you have Bitchy Resting Face, you can tell them it’s their brain interpreting your expression as contempt, not you being a bitch. So it’s THEIR problem, not yours.

Espiritus_Corvus's avatar

US Republican Presidential Candidate Carly Fiorina in RBF mode.

filmfann's avatar

It’s when you are mean mugging when you are not emotionally engaged.
Sarah Silverman was the first person I know of to refer to this.

Seek's avatar

I wish I had RBF. I have the opposite problem: resting nice face.

No, I’m not trying to get your attention, my face is literally stuck this way, don’t talk to me.

AshlynM's avatar

Can’t say I ever heard of this expression.

janbb's avatar

It seems to be the phrase du jour and is utterly stupid in my opinion. Unless we’re talking about Ted Cruz .

Brian1946's avatar

<——- Here’s of pic of when I suffered from Nonchalant Negative Face.

I had to undergo a complete face bleaching, which was followed by years of repigmentation treatments! ;-0

JLeslie's avatar

I responded to something about this on Facebook a couple of days ago. In my opinion women have to smile or they look like bitches, or “too” serious. Men don’t have to smile and it’s fine.

I’ve been told countless times to “smile” by men when I was just fine. I wasn’t angry, or sad, or bitchy, just simply not smiling. How often do you think a stranger tells a man to “smile.” Probably never.

msh's avatar

Anyone else notice that men have the same look?
Some celeb’s even ‘fess up to it on their popular media sites.
So as far as it being exclusively assigned to women?
Gentlemen, and others, take a gander in the mirror and greet your own inner bitch.

“Dude looks like a lady”

JLeslie's avatar

@msh I think more often than not men are perceived as pensive or serious rather than bitchy.

JLeslie's avatar

^^Lol. I guess if your mouth naturally frowns when resting you’re at a disadvantage.

Although, it was seen as an asset when I was a teenager for models.

ucme's avatar

That would make a good sign to hang outside the MIL’s bedroom door while she sleeps.

Jak's avatar

@Cruiser I know what you mean meow. :-)

ibstubro's avatar

What @canidmajor said.

Leona Helmsley was once the poster child.

Today it’s often a cover for what would otherwise be considered openly misogynist behavior.

Personally – in all seriousness – I think Ted Cruz has gay face.

Let’s hear The Donald say that about Cruz.

Coloma's avatar

@Cruiser Haha…shouldn’t that be RDF? Resting Dick face? lol

Adagio's avatar

Thanks for the explanations. I haven’t changed my mind though, it just sounds so utterly ridiculous. Stupid, as @janbb describes it, couldn’t agree more.

Espiritus_Corvus's avatar

@Coloma Nope. Resting Dick Face was Nixon. His face matched his personality and personal ethics so profoundly that they retired the jersey. I think RBF is good to use for both sexes and would be willing to lay bets that by next year it will be. I actually thought of Trump first. It’s the latent menace you see in the face that makes it RBF.

jca's avatar

I think it sounds stupid, too, and is the “trendy saying” of the moment, as @janbb suggests.

ibstubro's avatar

Yeah, what was that thing with lips that was everywhere for a while?

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