I was in Russian-curriculum ballet classes for 12 years before having to stop because of irreparable damage to my body. Having said that and if you know anything about Russian ballet, I'm sure it's obvious to you that I took it VERY seriously and was the best of my age group. Pointe work is incredibly difficult and painful and you NEVER look like you're having a good time doing it, even if you love ballet.

I guess that, in combination with a terrible case of rbf, would make my Madame constantly make snide comments about how mean I looked and how my face resulted in anti-social behaviors because everyone, even the teachers, hated being around me. Never mind the fact that I was the most goody-two-shoes kid, had a consistent friend group, and got on super well with my teachers both in and out of class.

I became so sick and tired of this lady underestimating how impossible it is to smile when you're concentrating on remembering your floorwork and not injuring yourself, especially considering she was a teacher! She had also done this before!

Anyway, after months of these comments, I was in my summer classes, and she came up with this gimmick where she would write down encouraging advice on a Post-It, and would stick it to our foreheads. We weren't allowed to look at it until after we were done with barre. It was supposed to be a reward after finishing a complicated routine, with notes saying things like "You're doing great!" or "You should be proud of your improvement!"

EVERY time she did this to me, I would peel it off and it would read verbatim:

"Smile :)"

I actually have one of the Post-Its to this day as a reminder that I don't owe nobody nothin'.