How do you feel when a stranger smiles at you?

I smile at strangers all the time and say hi. They always smile back. I think it is a nice gesture. I love when people do it to me too.

If it is a cute girl that smiles at me, I'm going to smile back and then go talk to her! LOL Really, though, I live in a city where everyone smiles and waves hi to each other. It's common courtesy and a polite thing to do. But when I was in New York City this summer, I found that I was getting strange looks and reactions from New Yorkers when I would smile and say hi to them as I passed. They're just not used to it! Every time I'd get a dirty look, I would just tell them that I was a Southerner, and it would usually bring a smile to their face or start a conversation (all northerners know that us southerners are very cordial and polite). New Yorkers are actually very friendly people when you get passed their facade!

I feel that positive in this world isn't ended yet.

Yeh, it kinda depends where I am-here (small village and small city) it's nice, and most ppl will reciprocate. However in Toronto...you'll often (not always) be met with either a person giving you a dirty look, or glancing right through you in which case one wonders oh I wish I hadn't bothered:)! But the context is different and it's not that ppl are being snobby (well sometimes they are) its more like they're not used to it, or sometimes they think you're going to try and sell them something or they've had a whole lot of other ppl give them a bad day-it's not like they are just by nature jerks (well, not all of them-like anywhere, sometimes ppl are).

Hi. I try to smile at other people when I am out and about. I see a lot of people who don't smile when I am going on a trip say like to the store. Usually most people are texting on their phones or act like each one does not want to have a conversation There is nothing wrong with a smile and saying hi to someone else. I miss the days of where neighbors use to take the time and interest of how their neighbor was doing.

I think it's nice to smile and be smiled at but I know what you mean about London! Actually, one thing I've noticed can be rather awkward is when you THINK someone is smiling at you and you smile back, then you realise it's just the permanent look they have on their face all the time. For ages I thought there was this really nice, smiley woman in our village and I always made sure I smiled back. Then I realised she wasn't actually smiling. That's just how her face was!!

Everyone smiles here too. I forget that they don't when you go elsewhere. Sometimes, I get weird looks, ha ha.

It is partially a hostile act here as well as everyone is so paranoid like. But I smile as much as I can at strangers..sometimes in a big grin way lolz

Here a smile is a sign of friendship. so i smile back.

Since we don't know more than 5 people here everyone is a stranger....I don't think anyone has smiled - I don't pay that much attention.

I think it's nice. Not many strangers smile at others these days!

That is why I prefer to live in the rural village where everyone and living is simple.

I don't know why but I feel a bit awkward when a strangers smiles at me

When you see someone without a smile give them one of yours. I've heard this line but can't remember where.It usually is effective unless the other person is having a really bad day,in which case you get a dirty look. It's always uplifting to receive a smile from a complete stranger.

As long as they dont look creepy then il smile back lol

I usually smile to kids. And babies. They're never selfish with their smiles.

It depends on the stranger. Some can be lechers, so I'm pretty cautious. I'll only smile back if they seem decent.

I respond with a smile. I see it as an act of kindness.

in my small town its natural to smile and be smiled back in public places.

I will smile back and say hi