Do you smile at random strangers?
By ShardAerliss
@ShardAerliss (1488)
January 31, 2009 1:54pm CST
Now, I smile at customers, I smile at the people who serve me in shops and cafes. This isn't quite what I'm talking about though. Smiling at people you are interacting with is a common courtesy. No, I'm talking about an odd and rare occurance that happened to me recently...
I was sitting on the top deck of a bus, head resting on the window and just staring out at the world on my way to another dreary day at work. I wasn't thinking about much in particular, just ticking over while the bus was stopped at a red light. I probably looked pretty miserable.
To my surprise, a complete stranger on the road below, looked me in the eye and smiled at me. It cheered me up so much! I smiled back and he nodded, waved and then the bus moved on. I'll likely never see that guy again, and would not even recognise him if I did, but he completely changed my day!
It really restored my faith in humanity and I felt more connected to people than I have ever done before. It put a bounce in my step and I was in a bit of a buzz for the rest of the day. It was rather peculiar.
So; do you smile at random strangers? Would you, just to cheer them up? Or is that sort of thing just a bit creepy, in your opinion?
3 people like this
21 responses
@rmuxagirl (7548)
• United States
31 Jan 09
I do smile at strangers. I am just one of those people who loves to smile, so I am always smiling. Sometimes it makes the other person happy and makes them wonder why I am smiling at them. Some guys may think I am smiling at them because they are cute..lol. There was a guy who worked for the college I went to and he said always smile because you never know who's day you will brighten and I try to live like that.
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
1 Feb 09
Yes that is so right. I learned that a smile can do amazing things so I smile at everyone when I am happy. When I am not happy I try to do something I know usually makes me smile to break the mood. It is not always easy but a smile that brighten a person's whole day.
I know that some people are nervous around strangers and I have been like that as well but most of the time it is perfectly safe to smile at people and I am always glad when they smile back as I feel I have brightened their day just a little.
1 person likes this
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
31 Jan 09
Not at all creepy... I would smile at pretty much anyone unless I felt threatened and thought they might react agressively. I'm a great believer in the saying, 'If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours'. It costs nothing and, as you know, it could make their day seem brighter.
1 person likes this
@ShardAerliss (1488)
•
31 Jan 09
Hah, nice saying.
And as odd as it may sound; some people to respond badly to others smiling. I was smiling at work once, just because I was thinking about my partner. I got yelled at by one of my colleagues for being able to smile at work. Unfortunately that just made me laugh at her. I guess I should really have felt sorry for her... but I just couldn't. The idea that she was angry, so angry, simply because I could smile at work for no apparent reason. Eugh.
One of the very last things my dad ever said to me was 'Keep smiling'.
@explorations (1712)
• United States
31 Jan 09
I try to smile at everyone I'm passing by. Sometimes, it seems like people are looking at me directly because they need a smile. And, when I do, it looks like a darkness has lifted from them. You neer know when someone's day is going to turn around because of soemthing as simple as a smile. :-)
1 person likes this
@smileonstar (4007)
• United States
31 Jan 09
I agree with you. The other day, I have a customer that he didn't talk or smile or say Hello back to me. He looked like, he had a bad morning or something; so I started," How are you doing today,sir? and Mine is just starting and I hope I have a best day when I see my customers." then he started to smile at me and then he said He had a bad morning from home. I said, dont worry you will be happy after you drink my coffee. He said I made his day. Guess what? he came back the next day and he smiled and talked more than I thought
1 person likes this
@ShardAerliss (1488)
•
31 Jan 09
Maybe it was you I saw, explorationg XD
Smileonstar; sometimes I find it really hard to smile at customers. I really hate it when they don't say anything back to me, or smile in return. I keep doing it though, because sometimes, just sometimes, I get a great smile back. plus; it just makes you feel better.
Keep on smiling! lol
@smileonstar (4007)
• United States
31 Jan 09
I work at the coffee shop too and I smile to everyone that walk in to my store. I dont care who they are. Sometimes, when the guy looks at you and smile, he might see your beauty or something that interest to him that make him smile at you, am I right? I always smile at whoever smile or look at me tho! dont think in the wrong way, I just being polite.
1 person likes this
@ShardAerliss (1488)
•
31 Jan 09
As I said above; it just makes the day go better when you recieve a smile back in return.
And if we can work in a coffee shop, serving hungry angry people all day... we deserve a smile in return! XD
@dodo19 (47336)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
31 Jan 09
I smile at random strangers, that I pass by. It's just the nice thing to do. And I like to try to be nice to people, whether I know them or not. Even if it's just by smiling to them, or something as small as that. It's just common courtesy.
1 person likes this
@ShardAerliss (1488)
•
31 Jan 09
As they say; it's the little things in life...
Thanks for the response :)
@MichellinaGem (164)
• United States
31 Jan 09
I love to smile at random people. It usually makes people feel better and can truly make their day as you experienced. I know that a genuine smile from someone has mande my day before. I just love to share it with others. I am typically very shy really so I don't talk to people easily but I can share a smile. I end up talking to strangers more often now as well because I smile more and my children have a tendency to attract some attention. Few people in this area have as many children so close in age. They help bring a smile to people's faces too. I so enjoy the fact that my children can cheer people up too.
1 person likes this
@ShardAerliss (1488)
•
31 Jan 09
Aw, that's kinda sweet.
As for being shy; a smile makes a great ice breaker, obviously.
@bellaofchaos (11538)
• United States
1 Feb 09
I sometimes do .. It's usually when I'm having a good day I like to spread around the cheer. But then there are days that I just want to be left alone. No it's not creepy I think it's sweet and kind. I hope that you are still feeling good and happy here is a smile for you. :)
1 person likes this
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
1 Feb 09
Yes I do. Some people look at me suspiciously and some scowl but if I am feeling good I smile at everyone. I like it when they smile back. I think it is important to spread feeling good around. I know how bad it can be when you are feeling really depressed.
I remember when I was at the absolute bottom once and the I just hated being alive and I was so miserable and then one night I saw this tv show and the actor in it had a smile that caught my eye. It made me smile. For the first time for months I smiled at someone. I know it was only tv but I learned then that a smile can be infectious. If I am happy I smile at everyone.
I would certainly smile at someone to cheer them up. It worked for me all those years ago when I was really depressed. It took more than one smile to snap me out of it but I started watching that show just to see this actor smile and after a while I was not depressed any more and I got back to living my life again. Smiles can be so amazing.
1 person likes this
@Little_Stormy (6883)
• United States
31 Jan 09
I smile at everyone.. I don't know if it's a habit or what.. I just smile!
I don't think it's creepy I think it's awesome to have someone smile back!
I don't think it's creepy I think it's awesome to have someone smile back!1 person likes this
@taggedskate (211)
• United States
1 Feb 09
I smile at random people just walking down the street. Im just that type of person that likes to show people Im not a mean person and if they need to they can come up to me and ask me a question if need be. Such as directions or something of that sort.
This story really inspires me to smile at people more often because if someone would just smile at one person a day, how many people do you would make that type of change in their day, you know? That's really nice that he changed your day and it's nice to know that just a smile can make a difference. Especially in this world today!
@mMakingMoney (403)
• Indonesia
31 Jan 09
I will not smile to stranger without reason, you know. In some places where required to be a friendly and smiling to the customers, I will smile to honor them.
Have a nice day.
1 person likes this
@bookreadermom08 (5614)
• United States
31 Jan 09
Yes, I smile at randon strangers, if we are in a restaurant and you happen to look around the room and someone across the room is doing the same, i will smile, if I am walking with my kids and we pass people on the street, I will smile and nod... it does make you feel better and that all people are not that bad.. be them strangers or not... it does bring us closer somewhat.
great discussion!!
1 person likes this
@Littlemisslizzy (100)
•
31 Jan 09
smiling is a magical gift that can brighten someones day. I smile at a lot of random people and it is rare that it doesn't induce a smile in return. The world is so full of misery these days so I do my best to balance it out by showing people that they matter.
@mimico (3617)
• Philippines
1 Feb 09
I do sometimes when I'm feeling friendly. There's no harm in smiling at others. But I am choosy when I am friendly towards strangers. Like if I know that I won't be seeing you again or if I don't need you (to do some service for me) then I won't smile at you even if I am in a friendly mood. I'm just very selective I guess. I know that a smile is free, but I don't want to waste it on people who won't appreciate it. :P
@babytaffster (2232)
• Chatsworth, California
24 Mar 09
Sometimes. I find it good to be polite. In some places, it's actually afer for you to be warm and friendly so you don't set some one off (I work in downtown LA)
@forslahiri (1042)
• India
1 Feb 09
Hi,
It is a concious practice.I am not perfect still.But I'm trying to smile at strangers and give a kind ear to all.These two are my resolutions in 2009 1
=Lahiri,Kolkata,India.
@chrischelle (44)
• Philippines
1 Feb 09
I really don't give smiles for a strangers,.. even to those people I know,..
only if they give me smile then I smiled back,.. and it's also defends on my mood and the ambiance hehe^^, I always do smile in text and chat but personally I'm snobbish and not a smiley type,..
@wallfranklin (148)
• United States
1 Feb 09
I don't think it's creepy, usually. I will occassionaly give a smile and a nod to someone I see walking/driving along. It all depends on how they look. If they look like they don't want to be bothered by anyone, usually I'll just let it be, but if they look like they would smile/nod back, I'll go ahead and do so.
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
1 Feb 09
I try to smile at everyone. It's the one thing that can make some one's day. Besides how many times have you been in line at a store and the poor person is so stressed and people are so dumb about things that have nothing to do with that person. So you get up there and give them a smile to let them know you understand, and you just watch the day get a little better for them.
Smile, somebody cares!
Yep, I smile at strangers.
