I cry when I'm happy, when I laugh, when I'm sad, when I'm tired, when I'm frustrated. The sight of actual tears makes other people over react.

For me, it's simply biological. For the observer, it's shocking and borderline inappropriate. Why?

So I've gotten used to saying, "Just because there's tears, doesn't mean this is crushing my soul. I'm fine. Get over it." if they're calling me out and it's awkward.

If they're simply showing concern, I say, "Hallmark cards make me cry. Puppies and butterflies make me cry. Of course I can shed a tear upon hearing a perfect stranger met some sort of demise. I'm a crier and I'm not sorry."