futhermore, it of course invokes nazism, but sidenote was germany always so serious sounding?  germans and the "service smile"  directness over politeness: germans often prioritize authenticity and direct communication over performative friendliness. smiling without a clear reason (e.g., in customer service) can be perceived as insincere or unprofessional. this contrasts with cultures like the u.s., where a "service smile" is standard.  cultural values: a 2017 study published in journal of cross-cultural psychology found germans associate frequent smiling with superficiality, while other cultures link it to friendliness. this aligns with germanys cultural emphasis on honesty and efficiency over social niceties.  historical context: post-wwii germany developed a culture of sober pragmatism, partly as a rejection of the emotional manipulation of nazi propaganda. this may contribute to skepticism toward exaggerated displays of emotion.
France