Do you smile at Strangers?
By ironstruck
@ironstruck (2298)
Canada
March 8, 2007 7:45pm CST
Sometimes I smile at a woman and she looks at me like a have a third eye in the middle of my forehead.
Why is it that smiles are so often taken the wrong way?
Can't a person just give a smile to someone for no particular reason, except perhaps to make them feel good?
It is sad when a woman feels she cannot smile at a man because he might take it the wrong way. Come to think of it, that's probably why a lot of guys don't bother smiling.
Once I was walking down the street and passed this young woman(twenty something) on the sidewalk and she gave me this most amazing smile as we passed. She was gorgeous and so radiant.It was such a natural smile. I felt good about that smile all day. I never took it the wrong way at all. I took it as the gift it was.
I still remember that moment and that was over 10 years ago.
10 people like this
80 responses
@usmcprincess (299)
• United States
9 Mar 07
Wow I am surprised that you remember a smile from so long ago. I understand what you mean about people looking at you like you have a third eye. I moved out to California for my husband and I have tried honestly to be nice to other people and it seems like they don't know what to do. My husband and I tried to help out a lady that had two kids and was dragging a box of diapers and when we tried to help her out she acted like we were going to try and do something to her, so after that I gave up. I just don't understand why it seems that the world has take this type of turn, where people can't help other people with out them thinking you have ill intentions.
1 person likes this
@ironstruck (2298)
• Canada
9 Mar 07
Yes, for some reason that particular smile really stayed with me, because it came just out of the blue. No words were exchanged or anything.
I almost wanted to thank her for it, and maybe I should have.
Thank you for your insightful response.
@hartnsoul (558)
• Philippines
9 Mar 07
Unfortunately, we cannot predict how people would connote our expressions. I got into the habit of smiling at anybody in general. Especially when I am in a really good mood. Often, I get strangers to smile back at me other would just shrug or stare. Perhaps what we have to think is that, we smile at people because we want to share with them the good day that we are having. It may or may not affects them the way we intended but don't fret. It's not about you. :)
@anudas (13)
• India
9 Mar 07
Smile is the Wonderful expression that only human can do . So why cant we give smile to everybody..it doesn't cost you nothing..but gains you confidence to face people ..An attractive smile has such immense power that we cant ever imagine..So keep smiling in a good manner.
1 person likes this
@decimus785 (1419)
• Aruba
9 Mar 07
I smile to strangers when they look at me(espcially women).
And what i like the most is when they smile back at me.
1 person likes this
@allenfu520 (9)
• China
9 Mar 07
it was good when somebody smile back at me,and i like theat feelings,too.
1 person likes this
@Kchele (77)
• United States
9 Mar 07
Yup, I smile at most everyone. And if someone smiles at me, even if it is a guy I don't take it the wrong way. Its just being nice. I have to smile everyday at work and I like talking to people most of the time and usually strike up a conversation about anything and everything.
1 person likes this
@Lorna_Eleanor (130)
• Philippines
9 Mar 07
I share your sentiments. People tend not to smile at all because they don't want to be misinterpreted. But this is how I view it: I don't care what they want to think. I will smile if I want to. ^_^
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
10 Mar 07
I smile at strangers.not every single time but alot.Most of the time they look at me like I'm crazy or something but the few that do smile back or worth it. It makes me feel good when someone smiles back at me
@dusty1020 (174)
• United States
10 Mar 07
good for you. more people should try it. it feels good to give and recieve smiles
@ratburn (939)
• Philippines
10 Mar 07
i never smile at strangers. i feel uncomfortable with it. even before at school, i'd just raise an eyebrow if i saw somebody i know. people thought i wasn't friendly because i don't smile at them.
although i would almost always smile at a kid. i love kids. i smile at them and even at that point, i don't look at the parents. i only look and smile at the parents if the parents say something(to the kid) like.. 'ey, say hello to her'
i remember when i was kid, i'd pull my mother's leg if some stranger was smiling at me. every time i see a kid who shies away, i remember the time i was also like that. but then kids are just so cute! can't help but smile at them.
@langGa18 (81)
• Philippines
10 Mar 07
When I walk down the street or wherever, I seldom hold my head up high. Most of the time my head is just lowered or bowed down, so usually, I don't smile to strangers. I just don't feel comfortable smiling at people I don't know. But sometimes if I meet people in the hallway and our eyes met, I sometimes smile and in return, I also get a smile which is nice.
@krayzee (1160)
• Romania
9 Mar 07
I smile at strangers too on my way too work. Well actually not at them but I usually think about pleasant things so there's a smile on my face.
It has happened to me too to have a woman looking at me crossly and like I have a third eye in the middle of the forehead (yup, this expression perfectly describes it). But as I read in many papers that Romanians tend to be more crossed and unhappy than other people I thought that well, here's a confirmation and moved on, thinking that probably in other countries it's different.
From what you tell here I guess it can happen there as well as here. Oh well.
PS I really liked the part about the woman that smiled at you :)
@QuipStar1000 (2)
• United States
9 Mar 07
I know exactly what you mean, I smiled friendly at a younger woman about a week ago and she called me a perv. I dont look like a perv, I have been in a good relationship for the last couple years. I just thought I was a friendly guy. That was the first time that had ever happend to me.
@ironstruck (2298)
• Canada
9 Mar 07
Unreal. That would be so insulting.
Certainly it was uncalled for.
@tsolman (47)
• Canada
10 Mar 07
I smile at almost everyone. The smile though is almost more for me. I love how smiling make me feel and if the side effect is that someone else gets a little joy all the better. It is true sometimes people do look at you a little strange but I have found for the most part smiles are one of the most contagious things :)
@KARENNATASHA (37)
• India
10 Mar 07
well it depends if the stanger is dressed properly and dosent look notorious
@marymarj2002 (1769)
• Philippines
10 Mar 07
Smile can makes someone closer. Smile can brightens ones day. Smiling is okay and good. All of us should practice to make a smile to strangers to the one we know and to all people. But sometimes we can't control other people to think bad against ones smile. But atleast you have given a smile and you know in your heart that you are sincere.
@blushnpixie (216)
• Philippines
9 Mar 07
Yes, I sometimes smile at strangers, especially to those who are smiling as well. When I'm happy, I usually wear a smile. Although there are times, when my smile isn't returned by some, I don't mind them. If they don't feel like smiling, then it's up to them. But I have to admit that if people smile back, or offer a smile, it brightens up my day. I hope more people would smile.
@dusty1020 (174)
• United States
10 Mar 07
when i moved to the carribbean a few years ago everybody said hi to everbody on the street. it would have been rude to walk by without a smile or a nod. now i live in brooklyn and i feel like people are going to get offended if i even make eye contact on the street. i've since stopped saying hi to strangers. its a shame our culture doesnt accept random acts of kindness without suspicion because getting a smile from anyone, even a stranger, is usally a pretty nice feeling.
@NordCat (123)
• United States
10 Mar 07
When I am happy - I smile. Sometimes I just smile as I walk and if occasionally my eyes meet with passer by they looked confused. I am not interested WHY majority of people are moody and uptight but it is aggravating when you are in a awesome mood and someone gives you odd look because of that...It is definitely not the reason to stop smiling! :)
@Slashher (117)
• Denmark
10 Mar 07
HAha so true.. those moments are pure gold.
For me it has happened a couple times, there's 2 I remeber clearly though..
one was while crossing the street, looking at each others weyes while waiting for the light to turn green, then we kept eye contact turned out heads and smiled!
THe other one was at an airport, at the baggage claim place, I carried my bags and we kept looking at each others eyes and smiled in the end..
lolol later on I was like omg Im so dumb maybe I should have said something :P
but that would probably have ruined the moment :P
@AVirtualAssistant (57)
• Philippines
10 Mar 07
Naturally, it depends on the situation of course and on the mood that i have. When i get a chance, like when you pass by someone and your eyes happen to meet then i find it awkward not to acknowledge that particular moment, i nod my head or smile. It doesn't really matter if that is reciprocated or not but i agree that it sure does feel good when that someone smiles back at you. However, in times, when i am not in a happy mood or something i just don't bother to look at people and just go on my way.
