[Cloverfarm]

I bet you are right about her growing up in the Eastern bloc.

When we visited Russia we were told not to smile or laugh or speak English out on the street. Reason being if you looked happy, that was suspicious. And if you spoke English you were a rich tourist and a good target for pick-pockets and thieves.

[miss marmelstein]

Yes, that's right. Russians (and I assume others in the East) abhor smiling. I don't get it myself but that may have something to do with her unsmiling face - although when she does smile, she looks even more beautiful.