I made the effort and I took the initiative to smile at someone that didn't reciprocate
@itslikethistome (796)
United States
August 16, 2016 6:14pm CST
Yet for some reason it did not bother me because I gave that person the benefit of the doubt. I reasoned in my mind: "No telling what this poor soul was/has been going through!". Then all kinds of pictures came across my mind like: This person might have just got some bad news about themselves or a loved one from the doctor. Or maybe this person was having marital or friendship issues. Or financial problems and health problems could have been on their mind. The list of reasons is endless for me to give others the benefit of the doubt when they don't return a smile or hello to me. It's okay, everyone of us will have bad days like that.
4 people like this
5 responses
@CinnamonGrl (7083)
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
16 Aug 16
I pretty much grin like an idiot at anybody who looks at me. It just seems like the nice thing to do. Even if they don't smile, I feel better.
2 people like this
@itslikethistome (796)
• United States
17 Aug 16
Sue you have a nice grin and yes its the nice and natural thing to do. Yes even if someone doesn't smile back or say hello back to us....we still feel good because we took the initiative to make someone feel better.
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
19 Aug 16
I've always had a hard time smiling at strangers. I can do the "I recognize your existence" nod.
Now my kids, on the other hand, are great at pulling smiles from strangers. We can come across the most grumpy looking person and all it takes is for one of my littles to say, "Hi!" and smile...and that Grumpy Gus's face will transform into a huge grin.
Kinda like the smile Flash gives in the movie Zootopia. @sol_cee knows what I'm talkin' about! 
1 person likes this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
21 Aug 16
@itslikethistome
I grew up shy and even now as an adult, it takes real effort to strike up a conversation. Hubby and the kids have helped me come out of my shell. But when I'm alone (i.e. at the grocery store), I tend to revert back to my old, shy habits.
I have a hard enough time controlling my "addiction" to our computer. I can't imagine what I'd be like if we owned cell phones!
1 person likes this
@itslikethistome (796)
• United States
21 Aug 16
@Genipher 
....I completely understand.... It takes some effort and much prayer for me to speak to people while I'm in field service or going from door to door, but once I get started, I've had some of the most enjoyable conversations to memory....
....I completely understand.... It takes some effort and much prayer for me to speak to people while I'm in field service or going from door to door, but once I get started, I've had some of the most enjoyable conversations to memory....1 person likes this
@itslikethistome (796)
• United States
21 Aug 16
Who can resist a child's innocent smile. I know I can't. Their smiles are contagious
...I try to do more than acknowledge a person's existence with a nod. If I'm in a grocery line, at a doctor's office or standing in a bank line I try to use discernment concerning the person in front of me or behind me or sitting acrosss from me or sitting next to me as to whether I can engage them in small talk concerning current events, food prices, one's health etc....At times though people are consumed by their cell phones and the art of conversation becomes nonexistent.
...I try to do more than acknowledge a person's existence with a nod. If I'm in a grocery line, at a doctor's office or standing in a bank line I try to use discernment concerning the person in front of me or behind me or sitting acrosss from me or sitting next to me as to whether I can engage them in small talk concerning current events, food prices, one's health etc....At times though people are consumed by their cell phones and the art of conversation becomes nonexistent.1 person likes this
@Shavkat (137168)
• Philippines
20 Aug 16
@itslikethistome Thank you my dear friend.
1 person likes this
@itslikethistome (796)
• United States
17 Aug 16
Thank you. And it is "neat" that you smile back. As my mom said to me when I was a young child: It doesn't cost you anything to smile but the payoff is great in more ways than one, both parties benefit.
1 person likes this
@itslikethistome (796)
• United States
17 Aug 16
Good for you Xavier! That's the way you do it . I try to put myself in the other person's shoes so to speak. A school office worker probably had a lot on their mind. Paper work and many assignments with keeping records of students organized and up to date..... You have a good attitude and outlook. Keep being the way you are
. I try to put myself in the other person's shoes so to speak. A school office worker probably had a lot on their mind. Paper work and many assignments with keeping records of students organized and up to date..... You have a good attitude and outlook. Keep being the way you are 