What Is a Poker Face?
Some borrowed foreign words and terms have become so widespread that we often consider them part of the Russian language. A great example is the term “poker face.” But what does it really mean, and how can you tell if you’ve mastered it? This phrase has English roots and is closely tied to British culture. The term is so fitting that it has not only become part of the Russian language but is now considered an international concept.
Poker Face: Meaning and Appearance
If you translate “poker face” literally, you get the awkward phrase “poker face.” But what does it actually refer to? While “face” is clear, “poker” is a card game where your chances of winning or losing largely depend on your ability to hide your cards from your opponents. Experienced card players are so skilled at controlling their facial expressions that it’s impossible to guess when they’ve taken the lead or are playing to their advantage.
The logical translation of “poker face” is “an impassive face,” where emotions are completely unreadable. However, this doesn’t mean you should look indifferent. On the contrary, the ideal poker face is calm and neutrally polite, without any obvious coldness. Serenity creates the impression of a blank slate, and even the most perceptive person is unlikely to guess what emotions are really boiling beneath the surface.
The Spread of the Term
Poker, as a well-known card game, has a centuries-old history and was once considered a pastime for aristocrats. Of course, nowadays you don’t need a pedigree to join a game, and enthusiasts have plenty of opportunities to play. Poker’s popularity is skyrocketing, with international championships attracting both participants and fans.
The game’s fame has helped popularize the expression “poker face,” which is now used in any situation where composure is required. One sign of its popularity is the “poker face” meme, which illustrates a typical expressionless face. It’s often featured in four-panel mini-comics and can serve as an emoji equivalent. Its high meme potential has made it one of the most widely used images online.
A Useful Skill
The ability to maintain an impassive expression is now in demand in many professions, especially those involving people. The human factor is crucial in customer-oriented businesses—not every employee can keep a polite smile when a guest is, to put it mildly, in the wrong.
The business world has also undergone a transformation. In the days of so-called “wild capitalism,” when businesspeople could do almost anything, excessive emotions were not surprising. But what does a poker face mean in business today? Above all, it’s a way to protect your reputation and a good way to guard against emotional decisions. In business negotiations, deal-making, or conflict resolution, a true professional never reveals their real feelings through facial expressions. Business is increasingly resembling poker, and a poker face helps hide the true state of affairs from competitors, preventing them from gaining an advantage.
Keeping Your Composure
If your facial expressions immediately reveal your feelings to others, that’s only good in very trusting relationships. In practice, you often have to control yourself. Sometimes a client, boss, or elder relative is completely in the wrong, and you can’t always afford to show a dissatisfied grimace. So is a poker face hypocrisy or self-control? The ability to keep a straight face is generally considered a positive character trait.
This talent can be developed and honed through practice. Control over a situation is primarily achieved by managing your own facial expressions. You don’t need to suppress your emotions—psychologists unanimously agree that this is harmful. But you do have the right to experience emotions in a way that doesn’t harm your work, all under the mask of a poker face.