No more smiling!!!

[kjunea]

Okay, now I've heard everything.....

 

USATODAY is reporting that they are turning away people for visas and passports if they are smiling in the picture! I smile all the time -- just your average Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm type person I guess!

 

Wonder if this means I will have to frown to renew my passport when it comes up?

 

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-11-29-visa-smile_x.htm

[GoinCruisin]

Glad to see my tax dollars at work! That is the most ludacris thing I have ever heard!!! I don't think I could take a picture without smiling... NOT NATURAL?? What if people are always smiling? I'd say that is natural! What a crock! I get my passport renewed next month and you better believe I'm going to smile... I have heard everything now!

[L2J]

Okay, now I've heard everything.....

 

USATODAY is reporting that they are turning away people for visas and passports if they are smiling in the picture! I smile all the time -- just your average Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm type person I guess!

 

Wonder if this means I will have to frown to renew my passport when it comes up?

 

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-11-29-visa-smile_x.htm

Read it again: A smile with a closed jaw is allowed but is not preferred," according to the guidelines.

[Beffy1167]

I got my passport a little over a year ago at our local AAA office. I was told not to smile even then so it's not a brand-new rule. They also made me take off my glasses so that my eye color could be distinguished--not that the size of the pic allows for that, but apparently it's another rule.

[Stircrzy]

I had my passport renewed a few weeks ago. Not only was I told not to smile, but she had me sitting so close to the camera that I look like a grumpy, fat fugitive in the instant photo she so graciously showed me. Retakes are not allowed, even if you're paying for the photo.

 

Gee, thanks.

[neverenufcruising]

My DW and I just got passports about 2 months ago. We weren't sure if they wanted a smiling/non-smiling picture so we took 2 of each. The lady laughed and said that sure we can be smiling (teeth showing). We submitted the smiling ones and got our passports back in about 2.5 weeks. Also, according to the State Departments website, if you normally wear glasses you are supposed to have them on for your photo. So much for consistency.

[thomasina24]

I believe that smiling is being discouraged now because of face-recognition software technology that is becoming more commonplace. They used this technology at the Super Bowl when it was played in Tampa and dozens of people were arrested who had outstanding warrants. Smiling affects the accuracy of the technology. Casinos also use this software.

[kjunea]

I believe that smiling is being discouraged now because of face-recognition software technology that is becoming more commonplace. They used this technology at the Super Bowl when it was played in Tampa and dozens of people were arrested who had outstanding warrants. Smiling affects the accuracy of the technology. Casinos also use this software.

 

 

So this means that if I learn to card count AND I go to Vegas, I should smile the whole time to throw off the software!

 

Now if I could just learn to card count...... too complicated for this blonde head. Just let me pull a lever and watch them spin!

[nosnobunny]

This is nothing new in Canada. As far as I know, this has always been the rule. I've had passports for many years and have never been allowed to smile in any photographs. DH had to have quite a few taken before one was acceptable.

 

Beth

[MikeNBec]

Okay, lets get this straight........you can smile, just not some big toothy smile...but a Muslim woman in Florida is allowed to have her drivers license photo include the scarf covering her face. OOOOOOOOOkay. :eek:

[ladycaveat]

Okay, ya all just made me go look at my passport . . . couldn't remember whether I had teeth showing or not . . . knew I'd be smiling . . . one gets a passport to go on a trip . . . who wouldn't smile? No teeth showing . . . just a silly closed-mouth grin . . . not even a smile. Really a very unflattering picture. But . . . passport doesn't expire until 2009. Do I need to get a new picture (not that it wouldn't be a bad idea but really would rather not).

[ladycaveat]

PS . . . Mike, loved your post!

[SxyEbnyFem]

Well, I smiled. No one said not to smile. I always smile. Sheesh! (Imagine the wrinkles I will have later in life if I forgo Botox!! :cool: )

Anyhoo, I got my passport exactly 3 weeks to the day after I sent off for it less than a month ago and the pic is FABULOUS!!! :D

Happy sailing,

T.

[kjunea]

Well, I smiled. No one said not to smile. I always smile. Sheesh! (Imagine the wrinkles I will have later in life if I forgo Botox!! :cool: )

 

 

Checked mine and I have that wonderful toothy grin that will get me considered to be part of the Taliban or Al Queda, I guess.

 

I didn't know they had blonde-haired, green-eyed middle aged teachers. Guess I missed all those specials on that profiling!

 

hehehehe

 

(And I'll never be able to afford Botox!!)

[kkelle17]

I had my passport photo taken at AAA about 2 months ago....and I must admit I am a member of the "big toothy grin club"

 

I sent in my application and had the passport in 2.5 weeks. I guess some of our teeth are more suspicious than others :)

[PINEVIEW01]

My DD got a passport in the 80's. She was told not to smile way back than. The Gentelman that does passports at the main Post office took his job very seriously. Control issues I guess:) Now that other post offices in our area offer the service, I avoid the main at all cost:D see those teeth.

[dromMOM]

Now the news show I watched said it will be a requirement in the future.. but lets face it.. there are still millions of these babies with toothy grins.. ..

 

Can't keep us all from traveling... till ours expires..

[L2J]

but a Muslim woman in Florida is allowed to have her drivers license photo include the scarf covering her face. OOOOOOOOOkay. :eek:

 

I believe this finally went to court and the judge ruled that she couldn't get a license if she didn't show her face and that she finally relented - had the picture taken out of view of other customers.

[MikeNBec]

I believe this finally went to court and the judge ruled that she couldn't get a license if she didn't show her face and that she finally relented - had the picture taken out of view of other customers.

No, unfortunately she was allowed to take the pic with the scarf around her face...."religious freedom", ya know........but don't try and pray in school, or you'll get thrown out......okay, I'm done. No more comments, since this isn't a political board (thank goodness!)

[L2J]

No, unfortunately she was allowed to take the pic with the scarf around her face...."religious freedom", ya know........but don't try and pray in school, or you'll get thrown out......okay, I'm done. No more comments, since this isn't a political board (thank goodness!)

Ok so I was mistaken.

 

Nope this isn't a political or religious board.....and with that said.........THAT'S JUST BIG LOAD OF HORSE PUCKY.

[glrounds]

..."religious freedom", ya know........but don't try and pray in school, or you'll get thrown out......okay, I'm done.

Praying in school has NEVER been disallowed. Making prayer a part of any school function is what you're confusing it with. Taxpayers pay for school employees and facilities that are a part of any school function. So pray to your hearts content and tell your children to do so, without fear of any government intervention. :D

 

Incidentally, I would be opposed to letting the Muslim lady have her scarf on for her driver's license or passport photos. There are no walls around this country (ironically you need a passport or birth certificate to GET IN our country not leave it). If the Muslim lady doesn't want to take off her scarf for the photos which are designed to protect us from people that shouldn't be here, then she should be given the option of LEAVING our country. Most of the Muslims I know would be more than willing to forego this religious observance in the interests of their fellow citizens and to STAY IN AMERICA. :)

 

Sorry, had to speak up.

[lephysteria]

I can't believe the way things are these days! Oh my lanta, you mean I can't smile?

 

Well, this just reminds me of something that San Diego would report on, because there is never anything to report on! They have to actively find news, in this quiet beachfront town.

 

Anyway, thinking back when I had my passport, I guess it depends on who you get to take your picture. I had Ms. Sunshine at the AAA office. She was very nice and even let me see my photo before printing it. I sat back in the chair and was waiting for her to take the picture. Then she asked me if I was going to smile, and so I did.

 

She said nice picture!

 

Then a few months ago I had my passport ammended because of my name change, and that took 2 weeks. The agency in Charleston SC never contacted me to tell me "Shame on you for smiling, no cruise for you!".

 

As a previous poster said, So much for consistency.

[secordwest]

Well, this just reminds me of something that San Diego would report on, because there is never anything to report on! They have to actively find news, in this quiet beachfront town.

 

Thanks for thing of SD as a quiet beachfront town. I truely wish that was so.

 

 

I had my passport picture taken just last month at the Post Office and when they took it I was sold to smile. So???