His smile. It's not a normal, friendly smile. It's a wide, almost grotesque grin that makes people feel uneasy just thinking about it.
The 'the smiling man scary story' is so terrifying because it combines the fear of the unknown with a very visual and disturbing element - the smile. We as humans are wired to be alarmed by things that seem out of the ordinary. His presence in the story is often sudden and unexpected, like he could be anywhere. And the fact that he is often described as following people, stalking them, makes it feel very personal and threatening. Also, the lack of a clear explanation about who he is or what he wants adds to the overall scariness.
In the 'the smiling man ghost story', the mystery around him makes it scary. We don't know his motives, why he is there, or what he wants. His presence is unpredictable, and that uncertainty is what scares us. Also, his smile might seem friendly at first glance but could hide a malicious intent.
His smiling dancing could be frightening because it defies our normal expectations of how people should behave. We expect people to be in control of their actions and expressions. But this man seems to be lost in his own world of smiling and dancing, and that unpredictability makes him scary. Also, his smile might seem forced or menacing rather than genuine, which adds to the fear factor.
Maybe it's the fact that a lollipop man, who is usually associated with safety and helping kids cross the road, becomes something menacing. It's a subversion of the normal, friendly image we have of them.
There are several factors. Firstly, his physical description - tall and lanky with an unclear face - is very off - putting. Secondly, his behavior of preying on the alone and vulnerable at night is quite terrifying. And finally, the fact that he haunts desolate places adds to the overall sense of dread. People are already scared of such lonely and spooky locations, and his presence there just multiplies that fear.
The repetition and the mirror aspect make it scary. Just saying a name five times in front of a mirror is a simple yet spooky action that can lead to a terrifying encounter.
Maybe it's his appearance. If he has a tattered poncho and a haggard face, that would be quite spooky.
The muffin man is scary because of the rumors surrounding him. There are stories about people disappearing after going into his bakery, and the strange noises that come from it at night. Also, the fact that he seems so isolated and his muffins have an almost hypnotic allure that might be hiding something more sinister.
Often, an old man's smile in a scary story is a contrast. His age gives an impression of wisdom and kindness, but a sinister smile shatters that expectation. It can be a sign that he has some dark secrets or evil intentions. Maybe he has been through some traumatic events that warped his mind, and his smile is the only way he shows his inner turmoil. It also makes the reader or viewer wonder what he is thinking, and that uncertainty is a big part of what makes it scary.
The unpredictability of the 'jangly man' makes it scary. You never know when he'll appear.