Do you SMILE when others smile?
@lordwarwizard (35747)
Singapore
March 14, 2007 11:58am CST
Nope, that wasn't a typo error. The word is correctly shown as SMILE, instead of YAWN. *stifles a yawn* I am not sure if this would herald a "Do you when others ?" series but for this discussion, I think the title rather fits. :P
Let me explain how my inspiration came about for this topic. I was lazing on my sofa and watching the last episode of a drama series. It was a love story between 2 lovers who had to overcome many obstacles before finally coming together successfully. After the show ended, I was surprised to find myself smiling. The crux of this is - I had smiled without even realizing it.
In part, I was touched by the story. But even more so, my gut feel was that I had reacted to the smiles on their faces by mirroring automatically with a smile. Does this happen to you too?
Take another example. You walk into your office early in the morning and you notice that everyone is in a joyous mood. I know I often find myself smiling without realizing in those circumstances before even asking them for the good news. Does this happen to you too?
Perhaps it is the empathy in us that is guiding our facial muscles. Or perhaps a smile is as infectious as a yawn. Whichever the case, the million penny question is: Do you smile when others smile? And by smiling so very unintentionally, do you in fact find that your mood improves subsequently? Do share your thoughts. ;-)
34 people like this
136 responses
@weemam (13372)
•
14 Mar 07
I'm afraid I am one of those daft people who smile at everybody , and to be honest most people smile back , I chat to everyone even in the check out at the supermarket , my hubby is forever asking " who was that" I just say don't know , just chatting, I have always been like that , too old to change now , don't think I would want to anyway , they say a smile even makes an ugly face lovely xx
5 people like this
@primecrimson (1388)
• Philippines
15 Mar 07
I do smile to others especially when Im talking to them. It's a way of showing your friendly approach to them. When I met somebody and smile towards I usually give that person a smile too.
Smile maybe a small way of showing your friendship to other people but it is also the best message that you can give to a friend.
4 people like this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
15 Mar 07
I always smile to people, and I also smile back when they smile to me. Yes, it lifts up ones spirits and moods to do this. Seems a lot of people do not like to make an eye contact at all though.
4 people like this
@koolraj_inlove (842)
• India
14 Mar 07
definetly, my life cheers when i see my surroundings happy, i am the person who is full of life, i am the person who cheers untill i find other cheering,i am with the person in their grief,i am happy in this way ... make people cheer and u will cheer with them...
@tator_tot8073 (698)
• United States
14 Mar 07
I try to smile back, it just depends on what they are smiling about. I don't always do it. Sometimes it just depends on the mood that I'm in at that moment.
@SageMother (2277)
• United States
14 Mar 07
It is wonderful to see someone who is so very reflective.
Usually I am pretty removed, emotionally, from others. Some of this is because of some experiences I have had that messed with my trust, some of this is becuase I just truly can't afford to expend empathic energy all the time. ...it tires me out!
3 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
14 Mar 07
Alright.. I just earned a new description... "reflective". *ahem* :P
2 people like this
@Bev1986 (1425)
• United States
15 Mar 07
I totally think that smiling is contagious too! When I'm in a store, I try to smile and say hi to people all the time! It is very, very rare that someone doesn't smile back...
Your example of walking into an office is true too. And the exact opposite can happen... you can be having a good day, yet everyone in the office is grumpy and they can pull you down.... or... you could lift them up!
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
15 Mar 07
I would say you might have been lucky! :P
1 person likes this
@AuthenticPeach (283)
• United States
15 Mar 07
I am always smiling so to answer your question, yes. A simple smile can give others warmth and a relaxing comfort in somehow realizing that they are welcomed to talk to you, sit with you, or simply feel comfortable around you. I've noticed that when I'm not smiling people around me usually ask me whats wrong because they need someone to keep their spirits up. I love the fact that people enjoy a comforting smile that is used to brighten their day. I've also noticed that when I smile at someone they smile back. And yes I have walked into situations where eveyone was so excited that I became excited as well before I knew what was going on. A smile like you mentioned does improve your mood thats why I love to be around people who smile just as much as myself.
3 people like this
• India
15 Mar 07
smile is the beutiful thing i have ever seen in my life....ya it is indeed infectious...really beautifully infectious..:)even a smiley makes me smile:)..have u seen roses ..they too smile..look at them in the early morning with sleepy eyes they spread a smile to your face.they take that slumber awaty from u....the most disturbed mind of mine have been washed away by the smile of a small kid on the road..ya indeed every smile has made me smile as u said unknowingly...every joy of the people have made my face bright with a smile...realy a smile is one of the beautiful thing in this world ..it is a chain..we have to keep that chain in tact..so let our first duty in this life be to propagate that smile from the heart..let us not be the person to break that chain.....so i am smiling please do smile back .....:)
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
15 Mar 07
You are right. In fact, sometimes just thinking a smile in our mind will do the trick. ^^
2 people like this
@caitlinlouden (44)
• United States
15 Mar 07
I'm sure that I am one of the annoying people you'd see on the street who is almost always smiling at everyone for absolutely no reason, even to strangers, lol. I think I just always do it, can't help it much, haha:) Of course, even when I'm not, I have found times, just like you mentioned, when I am. Like, if I'm reading a text message or an email that is sweet or funny, I find myself smiling without realizing it sometimes! Ah, surely it's not weird at all, haha:)
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
15 Mar 07
Nah, that's not annoying! I think I would love to have more people like you around! :)
2 people like this
@treasurecarl (4)
• India
15 Mar 07
Oh yea! I cannot even think of not returning a smile, whether for a reason or otherwise. Why should'nt anyone return a smile, when smiled at, when it does not cost you anything, but rather improves your personality and exercises your facial tissue. Well for the matter of fact it even keeps one cool headed and improves one's day. well what ever tension I may be in, I always return a smile and have on several occasion experienced that it improved my temper and made the day good for me. KEEP RETURNING SMILES.
3 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
15 Mar 07
Exactly. Smiles are free. We should all KEEP RETURNING SMILES. Well said. ;-)
2 people like this
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
14 Mar 07
If the smile is a greeting I always smile back, if the smile was from a lewd joke I do not smile at all. If the smile is general happiness, I can not help but smile. Especially if the originator of the smiles is a young child.
Yes, smiles can be contagious - but I do not find I have to smile when I see the word SMILE, although there is an inclination to do so.
Yes, when I smile everything is easier, less tense. There is an old song that says: "smile and the whole world smiles with you"
3 people like this
@victoraine (57)
• Philippines
15 Mar 07
yup i will smile if somebody smile at me because i a friendly person.
3 people like this
@luckly888 (175)
• China
15 Mar 07
Yes,i do.I think smile is the best expression.Smiling bring me good mood.
3 people like this
@mummyofthree (2715)
•
15 Mar 07
Yes i think smiles are like yawns. Very infectious and very powerful. They have the strength to brighten up a whole room. I don't think we smile enough.
3 people like this
@sanjay_t555 (56)
• India
15 Mar 07
Smiling back is like telling them hi and it shows ur nature of making friends .. it is good to smile back when someone smiles, smiles are contagious they pass from one person to other, after all what we desire is a smiling world, isn't it' ?
