"Everyone smiles with that invisible gun to their head"

This quote by Chuck Palahniuk is a commentary on the pressure that society places on people to comply with particular standards. It suggests that people frequently feel obligated to place on a pleased face and act in a certain way, even when they do not feel like it. The "unnoticeable weapon" is a metaphor for the expectations and pressures that people feel from society, family, and good friends. Individuals might feel like they need to act a particular method otherwise they will be evaluated or criticized. This quote implies that people frequently feel like they have to put on a smile and act in a certain way, even when they don't feel like it, in order to avoid criticism or judgement. It is a reminder that we must bear in mind the pressures that we placed on ourselves and others, which we need to make every effort to be more understanding and accepting of each other.