My fake laugh at work went from 10 times a day to zero in 3 weeks, and I blame a temp named Darnell

Ruby Martinez · 2026-10-18T20:40:02.86959+00:00

For two years I did this big fake smile at my desk every time my boss walked by, like a reflex. Three weeks ago Darnell started temping next to me and he just... doesn't do it. Doesn't smile when he's not happy, doesn't nod along in meetings. He told me flat out "I only got so many smiles in me a day, and I'm not spending them on Todd." Now I catch myself about to fake grin and I just stop. My face actually hurts less at the end of the day, which is weird to admit. Has anyone else had a coworker rub off on them like that?

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My fake laugh at work went from 10 times a day to zero in 3 weeks, and I blame a temp named Darnell | Behind the Smile - Thought Shares