From a psychological point of view, facial expressions play an important role in communication. Even the meaning of the most kind words in content completely changes if you accompany them with a bloodthirsty expression or a frown. Often a compliment turns into a mockery if it is accompanied by a malicious smile. What is malice? Why can this special kind of smile ruin relationships between people?
Echidna smile as a kind of silent aggression
If a person is subjected to pressure and cannot directly express his protest, then the psyche comes to the rescue. Facial expression often means more than words or deeds. At the same time, not everyone can control facial expressions - we frown or smile unconsciously, unless, of course, we are talking about professional actors. Often a malicious smile is the only way to express your attitude to other people's statements, if there is no possibility or desire to openly show your discontent or respond with more aggressive facial expressions.
Echidism can be described as evil irony or sly sarcasm. The manifestation of this character trait is often perceived by the interlocutors as a good sense of humor, but only as long as the malicious smirk is not addressed to them personally. Few people are ready with calm indifference to receive such non-verbal signals.
Protection or disguise
Even if a person cannot afford aggression, he can choose the most safe facial mask. This is not always an expression of indifference or ostentatious humility. If your interlocutor often has a malicious smile on his face, this may mean that he is alarmed, or it may be unpleasant for him, but he cannot allow others to guess his inner feelings.
Skepticism, indifference, and even malice are used as masks that hide internal vulnerability and impressionability. It is important to remember that others may perceive this as your distrust, so if you want to build good relationships with someone, try to get rid of disapproving and venomous facial expressions.