will you smile at someone who smiled at you...
By chiyochan
@chiyosan (30183)
Philippines
September 17, 2010 8:57am CST
even if that someone is a complete stranger?
I won't mind smiling to someone who i know is familiar already in the same building that i work with perhaps - that i know i have seen this person a couple of times... but i really find it odd or maybe not "right" to smile at a stranger that i might just ran into a public place such as the train station, or maybe in a busy street, or even at the mall.
how about you? will you be comfortable responding to a kind gesture such as a smile from someone you do not know?
9 people like this
52 responses
@tess_quinain (1149)
• Philippines
17 Sep 10
I sometimes respond to a smile, It really depends on my mood. But actually, it's good to see some people smiling at you and it gives a pleasant feeling that's why we smiled back. I smiled back but i don't talk to them.
2 people like this
@RobtheRock (2433)
• United States
18 Sep 10
I agree with you Tess. I have mostly women smile at me. I smile back but don't talk to them because I don't want to scare them, me being a minority male (I'm pretty big.) I do say, "hi" and they speak back. Sometimes I get shy and turn my head just as they smile (not knowing they were going to smile.) I turn back and smile and speak to them so as not to be rude. Smiling is like a civilized way to recognize humanity. It's like different types of people speaking to me, saying things like "how ya doin" or in Black culture in my hometown where one tilts his head to recognize someone that he doesn't know. To me it's a way of showing respect and acknowledging each other still living. It also makes my day in a way.
@ergfortes (516)
• Philippines
17 Sep 10
I agree with your opinion. It would really feel odd ans unsafe to smile at a complete stranger. We wouldn't know what they're thinking and might misinterpret our response. i could probably smile back if i already encounter this person lots of times, like you, if we're working in the same building, living in the same neighborhood, or maybe a friend of my friend.
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
18 Sep 10
i have actually done that mistake. one time, i saw a person that i knew in acquaintance and it happened i rode with his girl friend in the shuttle. i smiled at her but i realized she was smiling at his bf. i do remember he was introduced to me already but some how she didn't remember. oh, well good thing she didn't get mad.
@payout (3794)
• United States
17 Sep 10
Hello chiyosan,
I guess IM a little strange since I smile at people all the time. I think the reason is because I work in a Retail Department store and you have to smile at everyone that walks your way and etc. Why because it give the store a high rating compare to its other stores in there surroundings.
SO sometimes when Im in public i just smile and even say hi to people that i dont even know. if someone ask me hows it going I will say Im Doing well what about yourself?
It's funny I even put little text base smileso n my discussions and responses. O guess IM
SO sometimes when Im in public i just smile and even say hi to people that i dont even know. if someone ask me hows it going I will say Im Doing well what about yourself?
It's funny I even put little text base smileso n my discussions and responses. O guess IM1 person likes this
@amelly (1554)
• Malaysia
18 Sep 10
well i guess i don;t mind smiling back to others because it's just a smile..no harm in that..but i don;t like to see people grinning at me as if they want to eat me up!but if i knew that person,i would not mind because he or she might be very happy to bump into me somewhere..smiling shows that you are being friendly in a polite and nice way..
1 person likes this
@JudgeIronFist (2472)
• Singapore
18 Sep 10
Yes definitely. I was hoping for more of these friendly people. Nowadays people are cold and impatient. We seldom see smiles nowadays. If someone smiles at me, I'll kindly do the same. Why not? It makes our day happier!
@Wordjunkie (435)
• Canada
17 Sep 10
I always respond with a smile, I can't help it it just happens. I am often the individual who initiates the smile as well. I never thought about what the other person was thinking, I guess it never occurred to me. I am just a generally friendly person and even talk to strangers all the time at doctor's offices, malls, etc. I don't think I make people feel uncomfortable, as more respond by smiling than not. But I think it depends where you live as well. Some cultures are less responsive to friendliness or less trustful of others or it just simply isn't socially acceptable.
1 person likes this
@loktibrad (107)
• Slovak Republic
17 Sep 10
You never know how much that person need that smile back. I think it will be unfair to not give only small smile to him/her. And you never know what can happen if you do. Why are you so lazy to do positive things, it can be gived you back sometimes when you would need it.
1 person likes this
@gjax57 (897)
• United States
18 Sep 10
I have noooooo problem smiling if someome smiles at me...we all are carrying our cross and some are heavier then ours and a simple smile can make someones day!!!! hey its free it dont cost anything. so smile and be happy try it.. you never know when you'd want someone to smile at you when your having a bad/sad day :)
@sant21 (43)
• United States
18 Sep 10
Yes, I always smile at people and talk to people all the time. I know it has helped me when I'm feeling down if someone just smiles and say hello... If I smile at a person and they don't smile bacl I just quietly say a little prayer for them and hope what ever is troubling them will go away soon.. A smile does not cost anything and it never hurts anyone either..
@joey_matthews (8354)
•
23 Oct 10
I always feel awkward when someone smiles at me, as I don't know if it's always good idea to smile back and I don't quite like my smile anyway. Generally I don't, unless i do it without noticing. I have this issue with winking, as if someone winks at me for some reason I automatically wink back.
Would be easier if I automatically smiled back at people too, then I wouldn't have to worry or at least I don't think I would as much.
@heart143 (1202)
• Philippines
20 Sep 10
Actually...it depends on my mood at that certain time. If I feel good or I'm in a nice mood at that moment,..I may smile back at the person. If the person looks decent enough and the smile is not offensive...if the greetings or the smile is respectful enough, maybe I'll smile back even though the person is a stranger to me. If any of the ones I've mentioned earlier is not present...most likely i will not respond to a greeting or a smile from a person I don't know :)
@gdesjardin (1918)
• United States
20 Sep 10
I am a smiler. I pretty much will smile at anyone. If I have eye contact with someone, I definitely would smile. Sometimes I even say hello to a stranger on the street, it just depends. I try to be a happy person most of the time.
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
20 Sep 10
Yes. I do smile at someone when he/she smiles at me even if he/she is a stranger. I know it's a bit weird for some but it's just that i also feel it's kinda rude not to smile back. This has happened to me a lot of times already but mostly i really respond to others smiles. Just as long as it's a friendly smile well i guess it's ok to smile back. If a guy smiles at me that i know of is some kind of a different smile like a malicious smile perhaps then i surely will ignore it.
@monalily (380)
•
17 Sep 10
well it depends if the stranger is a girl or a boy. I never smile at a person first but f she smile at me, i do the same. And as far as a boy/man smile at me, i completely ignore.
@BichDiep7191 (251)
• Vietnam
18 Sep 10
I think you should not distinguish so. Would not you like boys? And why are not you smile at people first? People will love you more.People will feel you are really friendly. I also want to smile with you.
