Do you smile automatically at people you don't know?
By hdjohnson
@hdjohnson (2981)
United States
October 18, 2008 12:33pm CST
Some people I have met, I think are just the happiest people on this planet. They are always smiling everytime I see them. I often wonder what type of happy drug they are on, in order to be so happy? It used to be frustrating, until I learned a valuable lesson about life.
That lesson simple was it is better to enjoy everything in life that you possibly can while you can. So now instead of the solemn look I would give to everyone I met for the first time. I initiate a hello, my name is, or how are you today, and have a geniune smile on my face. It is not automatic, as I mentioned before I used to give people a straight solemn look no matter what.
I am so glad I changed. So do you automatically greet people with a smile on your face?
Thanks for responding in advance.
2 people like this
21 responses
@annjilena (5618)
• United States
18 Oct 08
a smile cost you nothing somtimes that all a person need is a smile to pep up there day.thats what wrong people don,t smile enough these days i always smile when i meet someone it makes my day.
@anneshirley (1516)
• Philippines
19 Oct 08
It really depends on the face of the person. If that person is scary,of course I won't smile but I do smile at those who have cheery faces. It is one way of telling people you are approachable. So give your best smile whenever your walking down the streets but don't exaggerate it, they might think your crazy.
@DonnaLawson (4032)
• United States
18 Oct 08
I worked in the public for so long that it is just a habit but I do smile when I meet someone on the street, going into a store or anywhere else.. It can't hurt and you never know how you will make someone else feel when you give them a smile.. It may make a big difference in their lives when they have someone smile or speak for no reason at all..
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
19 Oct 08
1. Smiles do make a world of difference in my opinion.
2. They are first defense breakers to tear down hidden walls that some people tend to hide behind subconsciously.
3. They make the world a better place!
@Kmarie923 (875)
• United States
18 Oct 08
I do smile a lot at people. I enjoy receiving smiles, it makes me feel good, so I do it hoping to brighten someone elses day. Also, if I don't smile, I sometimes have this mean look on my face. I don't mean it to be a mean look, but my mom has told me that I look angry sometimes and that is not how I want people to see me.
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
19 Oct 08
1. That "mean" look isn't a MEAN look at all.
*It's more of a solemn straight face type look that you normally carry.
*It's not that you are mean, it's more that you are a thinker.
2. Kudos, that it makes you feel good inside.
*I agree it does brighten my day, when others smile at me first.
*Their smile tends to be contagious in some weird aspects.
3. I think is it very cool that you are so in tune with yourself!
*I probably should congratulate your mom as well for instilling this into you.
@Chevee (5905)
• United States
18 Oct 08
Not really, I don't have that smiley face, people are always telling me to smile. They say I look mean all the time. I hate it when they do me this way they just make things worse, I be having a great day everything is going good and someone comes along and say smile.
I wish I did have the type of face that is pleasant and smiley. But I don't and I have to just live with this one.
When I do greet people I do smile, I guess that is not enough.
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
19 Oct 08
okay, you opened up a different can of worms.
So do tell what is a smiley face type of person?
Can you give me some hollywood star examples?
Not liking to smile and not wanting to smile are two different things.
It sounds like you haven't be taught to smile which is fine.
You don't have to smile to appease anyone.
It does help though, just to make better first impressions.
@echosoundz (856)
• Malaysia
18 Oct 08
I do smile at people even if I don't know them. But not all the time just like when a guy and he looked at you so I smiled back at him. I also smile upon entering someone office, banks or any other places too. Maybe that smile could bring the other persons some happiness.lol
1 person likes this
@tryxiness (4544)
• Philippines
18 Oct 08
I think smiling is my default facial expression. I feel like I smile all the time even if I do not think I am.
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
19 Oct 08
Smiling used to be my default expression, until I had a car accident at the age of 14 to change all of that and to make me more conscience of my smile now. I do grin cordially at people now, but I don't usually make it a habit at first to smile. I save the smiling for a second encounter with them.
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
2 Nov 08
I often smile at people at people I don't know by way of a greeting. If I catch someone's eye I almost certainly do.
I used to hate travelling on the tube in London where everyone used to try really hard not to catch another person's eye. Smiling and greeting people takes no time, no effort, and makes you feel so much better :-)
1 person likes this
@pehpot (4762)
• Philippines
25 Oct 08
Oh I do, I am a very cheerful person , I actually chat people I don't know, oh well I think you have an idea how friendly I am based on my response. I love talking to people, and of course greeting them, with my neighbors I say good morning, when I am in line I smile with the one next to me and chat with them. I smile to the cashier, I always smile, it is good that we smile on people, it can brighten their day in a way, and giving off positive energy can also help to get what you want when dealing with people.
@phyrethyme (1267)
• Philippines
19 Oct 08
No.. Plus I don't paste a smile on my face. People would sometimes mistaken whatever expression I have on my face as snobbish. When I am aware of how I look, I think I keep a straight face. I stay expressionless.
1 person likes this
@victory999 (758)
• China
19 Oct 08
For the most people,it is very diffcult to do it,because you should meet someone you didn't know.I admire who can do this
1 person likes this
@lelenwa (3)
• United States
19 Oct 08
yes its really healthy to put up a smile, usually to strangers , but for me , i would say it depends on ur enviroment. i live in a place where people mind their business, and just smiling to a stranger can mean trouble for u that day, i will say dat smilin to a stranger will soly depend on the individual being smiled at
1 person likes this
@radcliffe (57)
• India
19 Oct 08
yeah its good to be seen in smiling faces.i think that though the works what we are doing if taken not in a serious manner.simmple meditation like yoga.
1 person likes this
@jamesjordan (2)
• Philippines
19 Oct 08
I smile a lot to people I don't know. Sometimes I get good responses but sometimes I get not so good responses.
But it does not stop me from smiling, cause it may brighten up someone's day.
1 person likes this
@Anchopy (1453)
• Paraguay
18 Oct 08
Hi hdjohnson, I'm not that way.. I don't smile to everyone, in fact I don't even say hi to people that I know but don't speak often.. If I see them on the street I simply don't look.. I don't like to speak to someone that I don't know or only wants something of me.. That's the way I am.
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
19 Oct 08
1. That is a personal choice, and you have ever right to chose that.
2. Interesting avatar to go along with your response
3. If you wanted to change, you could, but it sounds like you don't and probably won't
@mercuryman3a (2477)
• India
19 Oct 08
A smile says it all. always smile to win friends.
1 person likes this
@pweety_princess (2012)
• Australia
19 Oct 08
Yes, I always smile at people I don't know.
When walking down the street I smile at someone when I see them and walk past.
1 person likes this
