Do you smile at strangers?
By Gudheart
@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
@Marilynda1225 (82656)
• 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
@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
@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
@Marilynda1225 (82656)
• 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
@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
@purplealabaster (22091)
• 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
@purplealabaster (22091)
• 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
@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.
@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
@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
@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
@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
@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!
@petatonicsca (7070)
• 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