geordief Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 I have noticed ,since we all started wearing masks in problem a strange(ish) phenomenon. I feel uncomfortable not just because I cannot see others' facial expressions but also because my own are not in view. Until now I was not aware that I was making continuous facial expressions ,whether in public or in private but with the new regime it has become more apparent to me . Is this par for the course or is it possibly evidence for what I have heard referred to as "myeyetis" whether the sufferer imagines he or she is being observed by others whereas they are probably not doing so or ,if they are only cursorily? I am not at risk of turning into anything like the last president of the USA , am I? 😒 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iNow Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 I’m struggling to parse your question. Masks remove a source of social,information, the physical cue of facial expressions. This changes the dynamic a bit, even though much information can still be conveyed through the eyes. Are you saying you had an anxiety previously that people were watching you when out in public, and now that you’ve been wearing a mask that conclusion feels less likely to be true? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimreepr Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 56 minutes ago, geordief said: I am not at risk of turning into anything like the last president of the USA , am I? You tell me? Did you ever talk to a mirror that replied? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordief Posted November 11, 2020 Author Share Posted November 11, 2020 14 minutes ago, dimreepr said: You tell me? Did you ever talk to a mirror that replied? No (maybe I should put a smart/sassy mirror on my shopping list) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimreepr Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 3 minutes ago, geordief said: No (maybe I should put a smart/sassy mirror on my shopping list) Well, that told me. 1 hour ago, geordief said: I am not at risk of turning into anything like the last president of the USA , am I? Maybe... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordief Posted November 11, 2020 Author Share Posted November 11, 2020 1 minute ago, dimreepr said: Maybe... Can I get a (a)trophy wife with a separate bank account? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimreepr Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 2 minutes ago, geordief said: Can I get a (a)trophy wife with a separate bank account? Wait, what was the question? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordief Posted November 11, 2020 Author Share Posted November 11, 2020 (edited) 54 minutes ago, iNow said: I’m struggling to parse your question. Masks remove a source of social,information, the physical cue of facial expressions. This changes the dynamic a bit, even though much information can still be conveyed through the eyes. Are you saying you had an anxiety previously that people were watching you when out in public, and now that you’ve been wearing a mask that conclusion feels less likely to be true? No , I don't have that anxiety. I know those who do ,though. I don't feel anxious at all personally ,but it does seem awkward and ,as I think I suggested in the OP I am more aware of the "micro facial expressions" I make even when they are invisible (I have ongoing thoughts and notice these accompanying facial expressions that would normally be on view to the public but now are not) 9 minutes ago, dimreepr said: Wait, what was the question? The question to which you replied "Maybe..." was "I am not at risk of turning into anything like the last president of the USA , am I?" But I don't want to turn this thread into a series of quips Edited November 11, 2020 by geordief Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimreepr Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 3 minutes ago, geordief said: But I don't want to turn this thread into a series of quips Then why start that way? "There is nothing in the desert and no man needs nothing." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordief Posted November 11, 2020 Author Share Posted November 11, 2020 7 minutes ago, dimreepr said: Then why start that way? "There is nothing in the desert and no man needs nothing." One doesn't need to be a prisoner of one's past. I began the OP with a serious question that I lightened with a bit of humour at the end but I want to keep the focus on the serious question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimreepr Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 2 minutes ago, geordief said: I began the OP with a serious question that I lightened with a bit of humour at the end but I want to keep the focus on the serious question. Ask it again, but without the humour; I don't get it, with... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area54 Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 Masks remove a huge source of information that complements and can even supercede the verbal message. I find it almost as bad as communicating by telephone, a process I have always found limiting because of the exclusion of body language. 1 hour ago, geordief said: I feel uncomfortable not just because I cannot see others' facial expressions but also because my own are not in view. I can relate to that. On Skype/Messenger calls, pre-Covid, I nearly always engaged my video, even if my correspondent remained invisible. I found I could speak more fluently having someone to look at, even if it was just myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimreepr Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 4 minutes ago, Area54 said: even if it was just myself. Imagine that... 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area54 Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 5 minutes ago, dimreepr said: Imagine that... 😉 Talking to myself is the best way of ensuring intelligent conversation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimreepr Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 1 minute ago, Area54 said: Talking to myself is the best way of ensuring intelligent conversation. And the quips continue... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phi for All Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 1 hour ago, dimreepr said: And the quips continue... ! Moderator Note If you're tired, stop posting and go to bed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimreepr Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 Good call Phi, sorry guy's. We may miss a few subtle hints behind the mask, but it's called body language for a reason and even a head shot on zoom with a mask contains enough information to avoid a social faux pas. Worth it, I think, given the context. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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