Martin Shkreli, on Capitol Hill

There was a study released recently on “resting bitch face”, that world-weary look that expresses boredom, and contempt, indicating that, contrary to what the name seems to indicate, the facial expression is just as frequent in men as in women. The look, according to a Huffingtonpost article is often associated with particular celebrities, namely Anna Kendrick, Kristen Stewart, Queen Elizabeth and Kanye West.

But none of those folks can hold a candle to the facial expressions exhibited today in a Capitol Hill hearing by Martin Shkreli, which one tweet characterized as “resting smirk face”. Shkreli is the infamous former chief executive of Turing Pharmaceuticals, the one who after acquiring Turing increased the price of Daraprim, a drug that treats a parasitic infection, from $13.50 to $750 a pill. He has recently come under a federal indictment for operating what was in effect a Ponzi scheme in his previous business dealings. But in his appearance today before a congressional committee he was anything but contrite. He pleaded the Fifth, refusing to answer any questions, but although he was verbally restrained, his body language spoke volumes. He smiled, looked all around the room, laughed, shook his head mockingly, and posed for photographs, all while congressmen were making comments or asking questions; in fact, he seemed to be enjoying himself mightily.

His best smirk came when uttering the word “respectfully” in “on the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer your questions”, clearly taunting the congressmen. A smirk nearly as good accompanied his response to a congressman telling him he was welcome to answer questions which could not be possibly be incriminating (such as how to pronounce his name): “I intend to follow the advice of my counsel, not yours.” In fact, Shkreli has gained quite a reputation for his smirks, so much so that the Washington Post has created a gallery of his best.

The scientists who studied “resting bitch face” indicate that although contempt is conveyed by the look, it is often not intended. No such innocent interpretation is possible with Shkreli. After the hearing, he tweeted, “Hard to accept that these imbeciles represent the people in our government.” Probably not the way to win friends and influence neighbors.