The positive self you want others to see and believe is your face (Goffman, 1955). Face doesn’t just happen; you actively create and present it through your communication. Your face can be anything you want it to be: perky and upbeat, cool and levelheaded, cynical and detached.
You create different faces for different situations. Sometimes your face is a mask: an outward presentation designed to cover private aspects of your self (Goffman, 1955). For example, suppose you have an interview coming up for a new job. The night before, you find out someone close to you has died. When you meet with your potential new boss, you act upbeat, engaging, and competent—