Do you have signs of teacher rbf? Time to be honest. I make a terrible first impression (so say many close friends and even my husband). If you met me briefly in real life and agree, please please please….know I am socially awkward and don’t know how to be normal. Mainly, it has to do with my face. Unfortunately, I can’t wipe my face off my face, so I’m waiting until the pharmaceutical world comes up with something special for people suffering from RBF (RBF is short for “resting bitch face” for those of you who don’t know). The first step to recovering from RBF is awareness, so I’m here to spread the word ๐ Here are a list of common teacher rbf signs:
1.) Your coworkers ask if you’re mad at them…and you aren’t.
2.) Kids turn the other direction when they see you.
3.) Your spouse asks if you’ve had a bad day when you are just grading papers.
4.) A parent volunteer thinks they’ve put that bulletin board together wrong, just because you looked at it.
5.) You are repeatedly told to smile on school picture day.
6.) You find yourself trying to act extra perky when you want parents to like you.
7.) Your principal always makes eye contact with you at staff meetings like they’re checking to make sure you’re not mad about the news they’re delivering.
8.) People don’t get your jokes or sarcasm because your tone is all wrong (you need more cowbell).
I hope this post has helped you feel a little better knowing you’re not alone. If you’re trying to hide that RBF and make a good impression during an interview, click here to read some helpful teaching interview tips.
Thanks for raising awareness! ๐ This has me written all over it.
Tiffany @ The Learning Effect
#7 rings true- I was called into my principals office last spring to discuss how I always look like I am angry at staff meetings and how I single handedly made one speaker so uncomfortable she later mentioned me by name. I tried to explain that it is just RBF but I was speaking to a wall. Now I spend all professional developments not actively listening, but actively working on making sure my RBF is under control. ??
I've had that happen to me, and that is how I spend staff meetings, too! Trying not to look pissed off! So glad I'm not the only one!
This is me. Every part of this is me. We can be awkward RBFs together <3
I COMPLETELY get this! It's me… All the time!
Me. Me. Me. Last year my principal told me his only advice for me was to be more aware of my facial expressions. It's not a controllable thing! Glad to know I'm not alone.
That. was. hilarious. period! ๐ SMH….Suffering from RBF! Bwahahahahahaaaa!!! Sometimes, girl…#thestruggleisreal
Ummmm….yes! Thank you for assuring me that I'm not the only one who suffers from this…however, I have always called it my deep thinking face. ๐
My husband calls me "Darth Vadar" because I always look angry at work. He says when he sees me walking down the hall (dressed in all black too) he can hear the theme song "da da dah da da dah da da dah". This year my staff photo makes grumpy cat look look Tinkerbell! Honestly I am not truly Ms. B but I sure look like it most days…the staff will often walk the other way and say "uh oh"….I better get me some more cowbell baby!
I don't suffer from this but I try to make a conscious effort to smile at people when I walk by. I started in a new school m this year and I felt like I got a new chance to make a good impression. I make it point to say good morning and hello to folks rather than m ignoring them.
Ok, I had 6 of 8 symptoms of RBF! I am laughing. Thanks for sharing this.
OMG you are my RBF teacher soulmate ha. I never realized it until after I left teaching, but these ALL rang sooo true! What can I say…I hate my teeth lol.
You hide it well, my dear. You look cute as a button!