How do you feel when a stranger smiles at you?

@Drosophila (16573)
Ireland
September 19, 2016 12:24pm CST
So.. I live in a small town outside Dublin.. Where we smile and nod at each other as we go about our daily business. If you smile at a stranger, you will receive a smile back. I kinda got into the habit of doing this. Then, I went back to London. What I had forgotten is that in London one simply don't go around smiling! And smiling at random strangers is actually a hostile act! So.. how do you feel when a stranger smiles at you again? Happy? Scared? Apprehensive?
17 people like this
27 responses
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
19 Sep 16
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.
6 people like this
@ilocosboy (45161)
• Philippines
19 Sep 16
Good to me I have smiling face he he.
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
19 Sep 16
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
@Happy2BeMe Indeed, I think it's a nice thing too.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118197)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Sep 16
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!
5 people like this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
right I find east coast generally more friendly than west.. not a single person smiled at me ever in LA.. kinda loneliest place for me is LA..
4 people like this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
21 Sep 16
@moffittjc it is quite possible, LA is my least favourite US place so far
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118197)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Sep 16
@Drosophila I wonder if that was just an LA thing? I've never had any bad experiences interacting with people on the west coast! I do admit I don't like LA at all, but most other places on that side of the country have always been gracious hosts.
2 people like this
@skysnap (20154)
19 Sep 16
I feel that positive in this world isn't ended yet.
5 people like this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
Indeed, a genuine smile is always good to receive
3 people like this
@cacay1 (83270)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
26 Sep 16
true,
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
20 Sep 16
It depends on the situation and the person who smiles.
4 people like this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
right, I guess, when the big bad wolf smiled at little red..
1 person likes this
• Canada
19 Sep 16
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).
3 people like this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
exactly, most big city people are convinced a smile is a disguise for acts of scam or transgression and some people are just well.. jerks
2 people like this
• Allendale, Michigan
19 Sep 16
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.
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
Right, it is still like that where I live, so I am used to strangers being curious yet friendly. I was a Londoner and still have friends and family there.. so ya getting back to that mode of operation was odd
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
21 Sep 16
@jennyjoy I do hope I can continue to smile at strangers :)
1 person likes this
@jennyjoy (1961)
• Bangalore, India
21 Sep 16
I can totally relate to what you're saying.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Sep 16
Everyone smiles here too. I forget that they don't when you go elsewhere. Sometimes, I get weird looks, ha ha.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Sep 16
@Drosophila It's nice really, but when you're away from home, people seem to think you're crazy if you smile at them.
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
21 Sep 16
@Lady_Justice lol that's true
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
right! some of the places I've been in US are full of smiling people.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Sep 16
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
2 people like this
• United States
21 Sep 16
@Drosophila Not too badly Wendy..Mom is doing just fine so far her last treatment. Thanks my friend, hope you doing okay too
2 people like this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
Indeed, if I ever grinned at a stranger in certain bits of London.. I'd receive the question "what are you looking at??"
3 people like this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
@TiarasOceanView by the way, I hope you're doing well, haven't seen you for a little while :D
2 people like this
@jstory07 (133739)
• Roseburg, Oregon
19 Sep 16
Here a smile is a sign of friendship. so i smile back.
2 people like this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
Perfect, ya I always find it out to not smile at people. Especially if I say go to buy something at the petrol station, it seems rude to not at least smile at the attendant.
• United States
19 Sep 16
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.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Sep 16
@Drosophila Some see 'friendly' differently than I see it I guess. If someone smiles sometimes I wonder what they are up to LOL
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
@AbbyGreenhill lol I used to think like that, as am a Londoner and all.. It took me like 5 years of living in this small town to make me think otherwise
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
right, I find certain parts of US very friendly, everyone smiles, opens doors for "young lady" etc.. and then other parts are like.. London
1 person likes this
• United Kingdom
25 Sep 16
I think it's nice. Not many strangers smile at others these days!
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
25 Sep 16
you should move to Ireland.. the home of all smiles :D
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
26 Sep 16
@annaroselock indeed! Ireland is probably the most friendly place I've been to
1 person likes this
• United Kingdom
26 Sep 16
@Drosophila It's been a wish of mine to travel to Ireland for a while now hopefully soon!
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45161)
• Philippines
19 Sep 16
That is why I prefer to live in the rural village where everyone and living is simple.
2 people like this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
I wouldn't say people live more simply in my town.. just people felt more secure there
3 people like this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
@ilocosboy Indeed, I sure feel safer here
2 people like this
@ilocosboy (45161)
• Philippines
20 Sep 16
@Drosophila yes maybe that is best described rural living.
3 people like this
@Pass12 (998)
27 Sep 16
I don't know why but I feel a bit awkward when a strangers smiles at me
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
27 Sep 16
It happens, I guess how the person looks helps too, I feel awkward at times too
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
27 Sep 16
@Pass12 ah well! Let's try smiling more anyways
1 person likes this
@Pass12 (998)
27 Sep 16
@Drosophila yeah absolutely right
1 person likes this
@5thHouse (1678)
• Sheffield, England
19 Sep 16
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!!
3 people like this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
oh wow! what a finding! she must have wondered why people are always smiling at her? I have been told I look very grouchy and angry if I don't smile. My default facial expression is one of moodiness, so ya, I always take care to smile, just so people don't think am pissed off with the world
• West Haven, Connecticut
26 Sep 16
As long as they dont look creepy then il smile back lol
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
26 Sep 16
creepy is none4 agreed!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
20 Sep 16
It depends on the stranger. Some can be lechers, so I'm pretty cautious. I'll only smile back if they seem decent.
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
totally depends on how the smile was.. an innocent friendly one.. or a lecherous one
1 person likes this
@just4him (303324)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
20 Sep 16
I respond with a smile. I see it as an act of kindness.
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
right! it is for sure.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22932)
• India
22 Sep 16
in my small town its natural to smile and be smiled back in public places.
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
22 Sep 16
That is the beauty of small towns aye!
1 person likes this
@jennyjoy (1961)
• Bangalore, India
19 Sep 16
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.
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
I think so, another person smiles back makes me feel good about the place am in
1 person likes this
@jennyjoy (1961)
• Bangalore, India
21 Sep 16
@Drosophila So true.
1 person likes this
@XinfulThotz (4140)
• Singapore, Singapore
19 Sep 16
I will smile back and say hi
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
20 Sep 16
ya, I nod as a "hi"..
1 person likes this
• Singapore, Singapore
20 Sep 16
@Drosophila that's great!
1 person likes this