I was glad my father was an eye-smiler. It meant he never gave me a fake smile because it's impossible to make your eyes twinkle if you aren't feeling twinkly yourself. A mouth-smile is different. You can fake a mouth-smile any time you want, simply by moving your lips. I've also learned that a real mouth-smile always has an eye-smile to go with it. So watch out, I say, when someone smiles at you but his eyes stay the same. It's sure to be a phony.
The narrator expresses appreciation for their father's genuine nature, highlighting that an authentic smile involves twinkling eyes, which can't be faked. Unlike a superficial mouth-smile, a real smile reflects true emotions, with the eyes revealing sincerity and warmth. The distinction is made clear: a mouth-smile alone can be deceptive.
The narrator warns readers to be cautious of smiles that lack eye engagement, indicating insincerity. This insight underlines the importance of genuine...