When people smile at you, what do you do?

Me smiling on my wedding day. - This is a photo of me, smiling on my wedding day.
@dmillman (2273)
United States
April 20, 2008 11:04am CST
Sometimes when I'm out walking, people smile at me. Sometimes, I shy away and lower my head. Sometimes I smile back. It all depends on how I'm feeling at the time of the smile. So, what do you do when someone smiles at you, and why?
2 people like this
13 responses
@Malkav (42)
• Mexico
20 Apr 08
I smile them back, even say hello xD
1 person likes this
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
20 Apr 08
So, it doesn't matter how you feel? I don't think I could, or would want to, force a smile if I wasn't in the smiling mood.
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
20 Apr 08
Unfortunately I don't have that same luxury - usually when I'm in a mood, I'm in it for a while, whether it's good, bad or indifferent.
@Malkav (42)
• Mexico
20 Apr 08
if i feel anger, sad or something else, i tend to overpass it really quickly, so it´s not a problem for me to give a smile to someone else, also i´ve made a couple of friends taht way xD
1 person likes this
@teison2 (5921)
• Norway
20 Apr 08
I will smile back. I think that is the natural thing to do - I do it instinctively. Sometimes I will smile just a little bit and lower my head. But I will smile.
1 person likes this
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
20 Apr 08
So you smile regardless of how you're feeling? Even if you're not in a smiling mood? WOW, you're lucky. I guess I could force a smile, but wouldn't a fake smile be worse than no smile? I don't know.
1 person likes this
@teison2 (5921)
• Norway
20 Apr 08
I do not fake it. Its like an instinct with me. If I am crying and someone smile at me I will not smile. But I do not often cry when i meet someone.
1 person likes this
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
20 Apr 08
You're lucky for it to be instinct for you, as I would have to fake it.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
21 Apr 08
I smile back, and sometimes start a small conversation.
1 person likes this
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
21 Apr 08
WOW! Good for you. I could barely do the smiling thing, let alone start a conversation.
@bbsr13 (4196)
• India
20 Apr 08
Hello,dmillman! When you are going out for a walk you might be in a cheerful mood and if some body smile at you you should give a fitting reply with a smile.a smiling face is always welcome.it is a God's gift.if we can use it in right earnest we will earn good friends and will be happy in life.so who ever he/she may be if smiled at you, you give its reply in a smile.don't feel shy.thank you.
1 person likes this
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
20 Apr 08
Well, thank you for your input. My problem is really what to do when I'm in a bad mood - look down to avoid, or just not smile back? What's your take on that?
@bbsr13 (4196)
• India
9 May 08
Hello,dmillman! Even if you are not in good moods and some body gave a smiling gesture at you, you reply in the same manner as if nothing has happened to you.or at best make friendship with the person and ventilate your problems,so that he/she might cooperate you in solving your problems.thanx.
@seiyuh (162)
• Philippines
21 Apr 08
I smile back of course. Sometimes, I'd wonder if the smile is for me but I still smile anyway. :D
1 person likes this
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
21 Apr 08
Well, I did add it to my schedule for this week, to smile more - but it doesn't look like I'll be getting out for a walk today as it feels like and looks like rain today. Maybe tomorrow.
• United States
21 Apr 08
Smile, it is contagious. I usually smile to any person I meet on the road or whenever I get inside a store. There is nother wrong in smiling. It just show that you are friendly. I don't mind people not smiling back at me but usually, they do smile back at me. So smile back dear. You'll lose nothing.
1 person likes this
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
21 Apr 08
I'm working on it. Thanks for the support.
• United States
20 Apr 08
If someone smiles at me, I smile back. I don't see any harm in it. It's a friendly thing, and people don't do it much anymore. People are always too worried about the ulterior motives of other people anymore and they don't see that generally people are pretty nice, so I take it while I can.
1 person likes this
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
20 Apr 08
Smile more is going to be my motto for the week this week. I'm going to put it in my calendar right now.....alright, done!
• Indonesia
20 Apr 08
well, i usually smile back. sometimes with a full smile, but mostly with just a bit smile. but i don't usually lower my head. why do you do that?
1 person likes this
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
20 Apr 08
Mine is usually a smile without the teeth showing. I lower my head as a shyness thing and/or if I'm not in a smiling mood and don't feel like faking a smile.
@paid2write (5201)
20 Apr 08
I like to exchange smiles and greetings with people when I am out walking. I used to be shy when I was young, and then I would do as you do, but now it gives me joy to smile at a stranger. A smile is something it costs nothing to give and if you are feeling low it can make you feel better.
1 person likes this
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
20 Apr 08
I like what you wrote, especially about how if you're not in a smiling mood that it can help you. Maybe I'll do that next time, instead of lowering my head.
@lishiwei (1550)
• China
20 Apr 08
I think you should smile to them too.it also can give others a good feeling.So we also should always smile to others. I like to smile to others very much and I think it's good.But some people even said that I smiled too much.I don't think so I think the more the better.
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
20 Apr 08
My first goal is to stop looking down. Once I get used to that, my next goal will be to smile at them.
20 Apr 08
if a female smile at me i will smile definetely . but your smile is greate.no u on line.if u like u come to yahoo messenger and_1960@yahoo.com to chat about it. iam on line
1 person likes this
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
20 Apr 08
Gender isn't the issue here. People in general. If they smile at you, do you smile back?
20 Apr 08
smiling to whome female to female or male to male .its not clear
1 person likes this
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
20 Apr 08
The gender doesn't make a difference. Male or female smiling at male or female. Either way doesn't matter.
• Philippines
20 Apr 08
i will smile at them also... it really feels good when someone gives you a smile... isn't it
1 person likes this
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
20 Apr 08
Yes, it does feel good when someone smiles at you.