To smile or not to smile

I’ve discovered something to add to the list of things I’m not good at, arguably a long list at this point. When instructed not to smile for a required photo for government-issued identification, I struggle. I suppose it’s not a bad thing that my default expression is a smile instead of a frown or scowl but the good people at the driver’s license bureau and the U.S. State Department passport office are firm on the no-smile rule.

This month, I renewed my passport, which was set to expire in early 2027. Renewals can now be completed 100% online, which is handy, as well as efficient. It also means you can take and upload a photo from your phone, as long as the photo meets the requirements, such as no visible teeth or even a closed-mouth smile that causes your cheeks to rise.

I successfully completed the photo requirements, but when my renewed passport arrived 10 days later, I really had cause to smile. I look like I’m being booked for a felony that I probably committed.

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My Facebook village weighed in on passports and facial expressions.

Judy Bennett has a passport and agrees on the no-smile rule. “It’s so hard not to smile.”

Jill Ellison says she’s been told her passport photo makes her look like a Russian spy.

Karen Welts has a positive perspective, “I always say how horrid the passport photos look, then I remind myself that you only renew every 10 years and in 10 years this one’s going to look pretty darn good!”

Greg Cossette has a trifecta of government-issued travel ID … a passport, passport card and a Star Card license! A trip back to Finland every three years, domestic travel and a few crossings into Canada and he’s covered.

Elsie Patrick has held a passport her entire life, including as a child … she’s an Air Force brat.

La Donna Beaumont renewed hers in December to reflect her new married name and was surprised at the simplicity and quick turnaround of the online renewal option. LaDonna’s passport gets a lot of use, she’s visited 28 countries so far. Her goal is to visit 70 countries by the time she turns 70, 14 years from now.

Mary Larson renewed her passport online in September and also received it in the mail less than two weeks later, “The hard part was getting the right lighting on the photo, and yes, the no smile is hard.”

A kindred spirit, Mary always travels with her passport, just in case someone stops her and says, “hey, let’s go to Spain!”

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Happy Main Street Birthdays today to Carly Goodlander, Mike Threadgill, Monika Krapfl and Paul Mikel. Tomorrow, Jazmine Brown, Whitney Brown, Dick Brantley, Sara Fetters and Chastin Jaeger celebrate. On Friday, our youngest grandson, Connor Huft, shares a birthday with Teddy Allred, Greg Helbling, Nathan Tull, Holly Hansen, Christopher Adamson, Tim Snyder and Margaret VanLeuven. Saturday’s birthday celebrants are Rocky Banks, Melissa Hjeltness, Adam Slobodow, Randy Millsap and David Ingalls. On Sunday, Damon Darakjy, Jack Price, Mary Foeller, Kyley Greer, and Kathryn Arrand will put on their party hats. Gail McGaughey, Patricia Benes, Shweta Bangaloree Green, Scott Peterson, Wanda Corcoran, Linda Jones and Brock Prince celebrate the anniversary of their birth Monday. Cade Coffey, Trinity Newman, Brenda Willoughby, Anthony Beckstead, David Cole, Jen Butler, Deirdre Eldredge, Deeann Zahn and Aidyn Dugger enjoy their birthday cake Oct. 27.

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and a former publisher/editor with the Hagadone Newspaper division. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. Kerri can be reached on Facebook or via email at [email protected].