To smile or not to smile?

I don't mind if they don't smile. I am just happy as long as they are doing a good job and polite. Also, it's better if they don't. I hate my teeth and dislike smiling myself. So, when someone smiles at me, I smile back and think they thbink my teeth are ugly.

in my own opinion it depends upon the mentality and the culture of the place.. like in my country here in the Philippines people are known to be friendly and smiles are appreciated a lot. we also have this city that we call city of smiles in Bacolod,Philippines. so smiling is a factor to be considered when you are visiting a place, it shows the warmth of it..:)

I sure like the persons you mentioned flashing a smile.Personally I am a very friendly person and easily smile at everyone and I expect the same from them.Well If I don't get it is not a problem but I always welcome the smiles.

It would really be nice if every worker who deals with customer service put a smile on their faces when talking to someone. That would improve the quality of their service and no matter how worse the situation is, it would at least abate the tension of the irate person. I’m part of the customer service world but though we only serve people via phone, I still smile when talking to them to match it up with my tone. It really helps.

I like to see a smile because it makes me feel as though i haven't been a bad costumer. And smiling at me gives me piece of mind that the person is not mad because for some reason i care how people are feeling

Though I'm not a "worldly" person, I have traveled my fair share across the states and do see the difference in smiling people and "hellos" from state to state and also within states. I do think they are sincere, and it is a matter of culture. It is also proved that the more one smiles while at work or at whatever they do, they more likely they will begin to truly enjoy what they are doing. So, sure, it may be forced at first, and you may be the first person to experience it, but the second or third will reap the benefits the more they become relaxed. I'm a Southern Girl and we just say Hello, Howdy, wave, Good Afternoon, to everyone. I'm sure it sets some back, but it's just our nature. And it is sincere! Great topic on how different we are across the miles!

I work in retail and think that it is important to come across as friendly and approachable. it's polite. the thing is, smiling when you say hello to someone, even someone you don't know anything about, is just natural. I often end up in a really bad mood when I shop and the cashier doesn't even say hello, doesn't look at you, rings up your stuff without a word, then says the total and holds their hand out. it's just rude. and not doing your job properly. a hello and a smile is all part of working in retail, and should be expected of the staff. because it's their job to do so.

I am a cashier and I love my job and the people I encounter daily....well, most of them anyway. I do smile a lot and am friendly. I'm not real sure that the smile matters so much to a customer but I do know that a grumpy cashier does really bother them a great deal. We have had some cashier's that just have a miserable look on their face all the time and an attitude that gives the impression that they hate their job. I've heard the complaints from customers about them. On the other hand, we have had some that are polite and good cashiers but just more business-like. I don't hear complaints about them so I think as long as the cashier is not rude or negative, it probably doesn't matter much to people. When I'm on the other side of the counter, it really doesn't matter to me as long as she/he is not rude and does the job.

As long as they ring up my purchase correctly, I don't care if they smile or not. I can only imagen that that job gets rather boring and standing on their feet for hours and having to be nice to rude people and all - no, as long as they ring my purchase right, I don't care if they don't even speak to me!

I try and always smile back at them. I dont know but I feel that it takes a lot of efforrt to look and smile at someone whom you dont know. I know it is a part of their job but still I think its very human to smile back at them.

Whenever I pop into my local supermarket, after having grabbed my goods I suddenly arrive at the checkout counter and where is the smile? It seems like the common smile has disappeared forever. I normally notice an inkling of a smile but it is so tiny that unless you look close you won't notice it! It's hard to give a smile when you don't receive one, this should be taken into consideration as well. I guess those days are gone when the checkout staff used to offer you a smile! Andrew

I do mind if they don't smile. I think it's good business if they do and that's what I'm mostly concerned of. I most often think, "if I owned this place, that girl wouldn't be behind the counter because she doesn't make people comfortable". It's all good business really. Thanks for the comment on my discussion!

Here in our country very few people give a smiling gesture which is spontaneous and comes directly from their heart.Many are also good at faking . Initially it was very tough to differentiate between the fake and genuine. Now I don't face much trouble dealing with a smile happy mylotting

Personally, I believe that smiling at strangers, or people you're having a functional relationship with is a nice thing to do. The smile might not mean much, but that doesn't mean its fake. I believe that smiling, while doing a good job, will make you even better at it (:

i think a smile when being served encourages you to come back to the store as rudeness would put me off. I can survive without getting a smile from a shop assistant....what really fluffs my tail is being polite to someone ..ie holding a door open and they walk through with no thank you. i might have to do a discussion on that now!

I do and don't care. I do care when they seem like they are bothered to do their job. I don't care when they are pleasant and just say hello & do what they do KWIM? I think people were surprised at your smile as alot of people are too busy to smile, say hello ect or even hold the door open for strangers KWIM? Kinda sad society is that way & so impersonal now days. I love chating with my customers that come in my line.

It's of course not necessary, but then if these people are promoting so much about 'service with a smile' - then where is that smile? I don't smile at everyone (I've seen some raised eyebrows too), but I would appreciate the service people show a pleasant face, especially if I'm flashing a smile at them. It's terrible if the clerk at the airport/bank scowls or frowns, when I smile at them, actually throwing a damper to my good mood! I mean, they should at least be pleasant!

See smile is a sign of love affection their is nothing wrong in smiling.They are greeting with you smile rather than a rough look.They are happy to see you so they smile.

Lol. I think that this sort of behaviour definitely varies in different parts of the world, but at the same time I don't think it should. Sharing a smile with somebody, with anybody actually is a lovely thing to do, and is a natural heart-warming exercise. I don't personally expect a smile every time I am served in a shop for example, but I do have to say that it is always nicer to be served with a smile than to be served without!

I prefer some1 who helps me cos they are willing rather than some1 who are forced to. The outcome will be very different and you can feel it either in the body language or in the tone of voice they use.