Although men and women are equal, there are still gender-specific factors that differentiate and create their own unique beauty. Perhaps because of this, even though men and women have wide mouths, men are praised for being sophisticated while women are criticized for being wasteful.
Defining Wide Mouths
According to popular belief, a wide mouth means that when laughing or speaking, the corners of the mouth are far apart. Typically, people judge a wide mouth based on their subjective perception that the person’s mouth is wider than the majority. You can use 3 fingers (index finger, middle finger, and pinky finger) lined up vertically as a standard. If the person naturally closes their mouth and the width of the mouth is equal to the vertical width of the 3 fingers put together, then it is considered an average-sized mouth. Below that level is considered a small mouth, and anything larger is considered a wide mouth. Alternatively, you can use the nose as the center to measure the width of the mouth, such as drawing two parallel lines from the nostrils to the chin without touching the corners of the mouth. If the corners of the mouth exceed the limits of the parallel lines mentioned above, then it is considered a wide mouth.
Why are Women with Wide Mouths Criticized?
The mouth is a place for speaking and eating. A wide mouth symbolizes overeating, greediness, and excessive eating. In the past, the standards of beauty for women were having pursed lips, delicate smiles, thin lips, and modest mouths. On the other hand, a wide mouth represents openness. People in the past believed that a wide mouth is related to gluttony.
Therefore, people in the past believed that women with wide mouths are not beautiful or graceful. They are perceived as speaking loudly, talking too much, and overeating. Women who overeat are considered unattractive. Moreover, saving money was always a good criterion. Those who overeat will spend a lot of money. Therefore, people in the past believed that marrying a woman with a wide mouth would lead to a poor household, as she would not know how to manage money and would spend it all. A woman with a wide mouth who talks loudly and excessively would disrupt the peace in a family.
Do Men with Wide Mouths Look Sophisticated?
Men are the pillars of the family, the ones who bring prosperity and harmony to the nation. That is why people in the past believed that men should have big appetites and big voices. Therefore, men with wide mouths symbolize big eaters and big speakers, capable of achieving great things. Men within the family should have a strong voice and authority. Men in society should have a higher reputation than women.
Therefore, men with wide mouths are considered outspoken and decisive. That is why people in the past said that men with wide mouths are sophisticated. Men with wide mouths are often seen as strong and successful. On the other hand, men with small, delicate mouths have feminine characteristics and are considered weak.
Is this still true today?
Although this method of evaluating people’s appearances still exists in folk tradition, it is no longer entirely applicable. Nowadays, with the exchange of Eastern and Western cultures, many beautiful and influential people have wide mouths. Women with wide mouths and radiant smiles dominate the beauty forums and many successful people have become the envy of many. Therefore, having a wide mouth for women is no longer a criticism as it was in the past.
The act of overeating depends on thinking, lifestyle, and digestion. Therefore, the notion that wide mouths represent overeating, talking loudly, and talking excessively has no basis.
Furthermore, whether a wide mouth is considered a beautiful or negative trait depends on the balance and harmony of the facial features.
Today, both men and women with fresh and charming mouths, eloquent speech, and balanced mouths in relation to other facial features are highly regarded. When looking at someone with a bright smile, they are considered attractive and desirable.
This information is for reference only.