Do you smile at strangers?

@gudheart (12659)
April 6, 2016 9:03am CST
I am a smiley person and find if I do manage to make eye contact with strangers I do end up smiling at them, but do find not many will smile back!! It is hard to know what to do when I have eye contact with a complete stranger so I end up giving them a friendly smile...maybe it freaks them out which is why they don't always smile back!! Do you smile at strangers?
32 people like this
43 responses
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
6 Apr 16
I do smile at strangers. Of course it's getting harder to make eye contact these days as everyone is looking at their phones.
5 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
LOL you are so right about that! Everyone seems to be addicted to phones.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Apr 16
I guess I'm a minority since I don't walk around looking at my phone.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 16
@Marilynda1225 @gudheart More often than not when I go somewhere I leave my phone at home.
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Apr 16
Never. I never even smile at myself or life.
2 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
That sounds quite sad :( I know what you mean though, life can be make it hard to smile.
@1creekgirl (41374)
• United States
6 Apr 16
Wow, do you not ever find anything to smile about?
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Apr 16
@1creekgirl Very rarely.
3 people like this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
6 Apr 16
In most cases I don't smile to strangers but when someone smiles at me, I smile back.
2 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
At least you smile back which is nice :D
1 person likes this
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
6 Apr 16
I am not a big smiler at strangers.
2 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
I can understand that. I think I did it manly when we gain eye contact and I feel awkward if I don't smile lol
@1creekgirl (41374)
• United States
6 Apr 16
I smile at everyone (well, most of the time.) Here in a small town in the southern USA, people will talk about you if you don't wave, so I wave at everyone when I'm driving because chances are I know them! Maybe in bigger cities, someone might think you want something if you smile. I'd still do it anyway.
2 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
I don't wave at people as most are strangers and think they would really look at me strange if I did wave!!
• United States
6 Apr 16
If I make eye contact with a stranger I will smile and usually will get one back
2 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
I like it when that happens :D
1 person likes this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
6 Apr 16
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I really don't if my son is with me. For some odd reason it bugs him. LOL
2 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
Really!! Wonder why LOL
• United States
6 Apr 16
Yes, I smile at strangers often, and they almost always smile back. There will be a few that do not, of course, but a lot not only smile and say "hi" back to me (I usually say "hi" or nod at them when I smile) but also walk away smiling and looking a lot brighter and happier.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Apr 16
@gudheart Isn't it funny how something so simple as a smile and a "hi" can brighten your day?
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
@purplealabaster It really is. It is the simple things in life that makes the difference :D
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
I feel the same way if I get a nice response :D
1 person likes this
@LdeL0318 (6400)
• Philippines
6 Apr 16
I do. You can feel the aura of someone by just looking at them.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
It can be a good feeling to have someone smile back.
@LdeL0318 (6400)
• Philippines
7 Apr 16
@gudheart I agree to that.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
@LdeL0318 It really does help kick start a day if someone smiles back
@carebear29 (31962)
• Wausau, Wisconsin
6 Apr 16
Yes I do.
2 people like this
@cacay1 (83365)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
7 Apr 16
No, I don't smile at strangers. I might be put to shame if not smiled back.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
It can be embarrassing not getting a response LOL
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83365)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
7 Apr 16
@gudheart I experienced 5 years ago when I visited Auckland, I met a lady, I smiled at her so sweetly, but never did she smile back at me. She just looked at me, and then when we were ab out to be nearer almost face- to -face she did not want to give me a way, so I said to her " S H I T." Ha, it was more than a slap on her monkey face. I hate that instance. That gave me a reason why not smile at strangers.
@Lucky15 (37374)
• Philippines
7 Apr 16
always do, to everyone actually :D
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
That is lovely :D Need more people like you here LOL
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37374)
• Philippines
7 Apr 16
@gudheart aww.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
7 Apr 16
sometimes if the person I meet has a smiling face and nice personality, I smile and I always get a smile back.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
That is good to hear :D Not that common where I am though lol
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
8 Apr 16
@gudheart so, your neighbors included do not smile at you even though you smile at them?
@JMAndres (702)
• Zamboanga City, Philippines
6 Apr 16
I really want to try to smile to strangers, It has that nice feeling if you see someone who will smile at you :) and so I also want to do it. But every time I try to smile to them I feel shy and ends up looking downward. :( I am amaze that you do that. :)
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
I am quite a shy person to be honest but for some reason to avoid awkwardness I smile.
@JMAndres (702)
• Zamboanga City, Philippines
7 Apr 16
@gudheart I guess if it will be a habit it can lessen awkwardness between people. :)
@dodo19 (47317)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
6 Apr 16
If someone makes eye contact with me, I'll usually smile at them. I don't always get a smile back, but I will smile at them.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
I am the same.
1 person likes this
@kevin1877uk (36988)
7 Apr 16
I would smile back at you
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
That is nice :D Where have you been not chatted to you in ages?
@mammots (3209)
• Philippines
6 Apr 16
When i was in college i used to smile a lot even to strangers i met on the street but somebody told me to stop it because it attracted the attention of good and the bad persons. So from then onwards up to now i still dont make eye contact with strangers and dont smile at anybody i dont know. Its dangerous.
1 person likes this
@mammots (3209)
• Philippines
7 Apr 16
@gudheart Thank God you have not encountered bad elements
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
I have not had the issue yet of attracting unwanted attention...thankfully!
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15727)
• Canada
6 Apr 16
Yes, I do, but you are right... a lot won't smile back! I could never understand that! Maybe it does unnerve them!
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
I assume the same thing that they don't expect it sometimes and not sure how to respond!
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15727)
• Canada
7 Apr 16
@gudheart That has to be it I guess. I tend to forget that people won't always think the same way as I do!
@JudyEv (339267)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Apr 16
I usually make eye contact and smile. Around here most people will smile back - luckily. I hate it when people don't return the smile. Then I feel a bit silly.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
I do feel a bit embarrassed if I don't get a smile back!
1 person likes this
• Japan
7 Apr 16
Always! I was taught to be polite and show care for everyone. A smile might make someone's day better.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
7 Apr 16
I believe that too. It feels nice to see friendly people around.