If You Love Me Honey, Smile

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Test self-control and practice lighthearted performance in a whole-group energizer.

Use it when: Use during an afternoon slump or opening icebreaker when a group needs physical movement, vocal projection, and quick laughter.

Skip it when: Skip if the group prefers formal business decorum, if close physical proximity causes discomfort, or when addressing serious, somber topics.

Group arrangement: Whole group in a single circle with one person standing in the center.

Timing: UWT suggested duration fits typical 5 to 15 minute energizer play across multiple rounds.

Materials and tools

• Chairs arranged in a circle for all participants minus one (or standing markers)

Before participants arrive

1. Arrange chairs in a neat circle facing inward with clear space in the center.
2. Ensure ample legroom between seats so the center player can approach safely.

Say this to open

Let us test our straight faces. One person stands in the center. That person approaches anyone in the circle, looks them in the eye, and says: 'If you love me honey, smile.' You can use any goofy tone, face, or posture you want, but you may not touch them. The target must look back with a completely neutral face. If you smile or laugh, you trade places and head into the middle.

How to run it

1. Set the circle and ground rules 2 minutes

   Form a circle of chairs with one person standing in the middle. Clarify rules: no physical contact, no crude remarks, and the center person can only repeat the exact target phrase: 'If you love me honey, smile.'

2. Run initial rounds 4 minutes

   The center player selects a seated participant, approaches them, and delivers the line with comedic flair. The target attempts to keep a neutral face for five seconds. If the target smiles or chuckles, they swap spots with the center person. If they maintain a straight face, the center person must pick another person.

3. Continue rapid turns 3 minutes

   Maintain game momentum. Allow the center player up to three attempts before letting them designate a volunteer if they are stuck. Ensure at least three to five distinct participants experience being in the middle.

4. Conclude and reset 1 minutes

   Call time on the final round. Have everyone return to their standard workshop seating.

Debrief questions

• What strategies helped you keep a straight face under direct focus?
• How did observing someone else's laughter affect your own impulse to smile?

Finished output: Completion of three or more rounds of the circle game with all willing participants taking part.

Remote

Run in gallery view. The active player calls out one person by name and pins their video. The active player delivers the phrase while attempting comedic expressions into the webcam. The target has five seconds to hold a neutral expression on screen. If they smile, they become the new caller.

Hybrid

Not recommended in a mixed hybrid format due to asymmetry between physical room sightlines and remote webcam lag. If attempted, pair one remote player with one in-room player per round using a large shared display screen.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may remain seated in the circle and pass their turn if they prefer not to stand in the middle.
• Participants can opt to act as neutral referees detecting smiles rather than being targeted.

If the session gets stuck

A center player gets stuck because circle members refuse to smile.

Enforce a three-attempt limit. If the player cannot break anyone after three targets, invite a new volunteer into the center.

A participant uses physical touch or invades personal boundaries.

Remind everyone immediately of the no-touch rule and maintain at least two feet of distance between players.

Terms used here

• Target: The seated circle participant whom the center player approaches to prompt a smile.