Please do not smile

So I’m off to India in February to deliver a 2-day Intensive on the business of dentistry for my friend Dr. Manish Chitnis.

To get an Indian visa I have to send some 50x50cm photographs, so it was off to big Tesco at lunchtime on Monday to part with £7.00 for the privilege.

PLEASE DO NOT SMILE

…said the accompanying instructions.

I’m wondering what would happen if I ignored the instructions?

If we all did?

Would immigration officials succumb to some kind of mental torture if all they had to do all day was look at smiling photographs and then ask us to smile at them in order to be recognised?

Imagine, if you will, droves of smiling people entering your country and you having to see that 8-hours a day – how awful.

If we implemented a global “smile at your immigration official day”, would we all be refused entry and cause a huge log-jam in airports around the world?

Do immigration officers smile?

Do they have children who lighten their lives?

Do they see the sun set into the ocean at the end of a perfect day?

Do they cry when they hear a beautiful vocal?

Do they fall in love?

Those photographs above – that’s not me.

To my forthcoming Indian friends – you’ll be meeting the smiley guy.

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Chris Barrow

Chris Barrow has been active as a consultant, trainer and coach to the UK dental profession for over 20 years. As a writer, his blog enjoys a strong following and he is a regular contributor to the dental press. Naturally direct, assertive and determined, he has the ability to reach conclusions quickly, as well as the sharp reflexes and lightness of touch to innovate, change tack and push boundaries. In 2014 he appeared as a “castaway” in the first season of the popular reality TV show “The Island with Bear Grylls”. His main professional focus is as Coach Barrow, providing coaching and mentorship to independent dentistry.