If strangers smile at you, would you smile back?

@lirael (501)
Philippines
May 28, 2007 9:13pm CST
They say smile is infectious, and that you should always share it. But if the smile came from someone you don't know, would you smile back? Or would you just avert your eyes and just go on your way without returning the smile?
1 person likes this
13 responses
@k1tten (2318)
• United States
29 May 07
I'm guilty of doing both. Some days I will smile at everyone I meet, other days I just don't want to make eye contact with anyone.
2 people like this
• United States
29 May 07
Shame on you for your occasional unsocial behavior. :-) When I was younger, I used to do avert my eyes, but now that I am older, I will make the extra effort in hopes of making other's smile.
@k1tten (2318)
• United States
29 May 07
I can't help it. It's been a habit of mine. I do believe I have a type of social phobia or something. I can't be in large crowds too long.
@laiza14 (593)
• Philippines
29 May 07
i think it depends, when a persons smile is kind of like a friendly smile, then i will smile to him back..but if his' smile is horryfying (i think i used the exaggerated term) then i think i will look down and go on with my way.... sheesh!
1 person likes this
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
1 Jun 07
yup. that's what i meant, too. there are those who give those scary smiles and there are those who are just really friendly. i am choosy when returning smiles. might mean something to them.
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
1 Jun 07
i always return a smile if i know the person. but if not, i still do but not to all. it depends on how the smile was delivered. you know what i mean. hehe. but if i feel comfortable and the smile was given without malice.... just a simple :"h", i will return it gladly.
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
1 Jun 07
correction. not :"h", but "hi.". sorry about that.
@jlara_gtr34 (3491)
• Philippines
29 May 07
hmm, it depends. :) if the stranger is good looking, i'll smile back. lolz. just kididng! i think i would only smile back if the stranger who smield first looks familiar or looks like someone who has already been introduced to me. :)
1 person likes this
@tmlnmr (1850)
• Canada
29 May 07
I live in a very friendly province and pretty much everyone waves and smiles at everyone else whether they know them or not. It is very contageous almost as much as laughing! I am also a very flirtatious woman and I have been told I have a million dollar smile so I use it alot.
1 person likes this
@lirael (501)
• Philippines
29 May 07
It must be great living in your province! Seems that people are always happy there!
@happymom1 (1179)
• United States
29 May 07
If a strangers smile at me i think i will look and smile back too. I usually do the smile thing eventhough i did not know the person just form of hi.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 May 07
I'm guilty of smiling first at a stranger occasionally. It's kind of nice when someone smiles back just because I sort of feel like I've made someone's day whether or not I really have. Other times I've gotten smiled at and I'll smile back. I don't feel like it's harmful in any way, it's just a smile.
@chargoans (939)
• United States
29 May 07
I am always the one who seems to start the smiles. I would definitely look them eye to eye and smile back. I would probably try to outsmile them in my own little competitive way ;-)
• United States
29 May 07
I always smile back . If we all did our little part to make someone else happy it would eventualy come back to us. I love it when someone gives me a sincere smile. I have laways wanted to find one of thoes people who stand on street corners and give free hugs. I would love that.
@lirael (501)
• Philippines
29 May 07
It's good to know that there are still people like you out there. Although I might be a little squeamish about the thought of some stranger giving me a surprise hug.lol!
• United States
1 Jun 07
Yeah.. I'd return the smile. And then as soon as they're out of eyesight, make scared faces at your friend. Unless you're by yourself. Then you'd look like a freak.
@zodiac73 (119)
2 Jun 07
I read a t-shirt or something once that said "smile... it makes them wonder what you're thinking" Is there such a thing as an evil smile? If so, try one out for size, it may just fit!
@mean_queen (1713)
• Malaysia
1 Jun 07
Well, it depends.. I usually smile back except when those smiling at me are dodgy and perverted looking. Usually, I'm the one who smiles a lot to others. I admit that I have an unfriendly face and people don't tend to smile at me.. :( So rather than sulking and hating other, I realized that I should initiate it and start smiling to others.. Some people do smile back with confused looks on their faces.. haha.. Some, mostly girls, just look away.. and some just sincerely smile back and say hi~! =D
@ShawnDay (227)
9 Jun 07
I always do. I do a lot of walking and must say "hello" to 10 or 20 strangers a day. If someone doesn't respond or make eye contact even, you can bet they're not from around here. I love the city I live in. Big enough to have all the amenities and small enough to be friendly.