Smiling Stranger

I like people who smile at strangers.

I smile at strangers.

This may surprise those of you who know my bitchy nature.  Yes, I am full aware that it exists.  Sorry, but if I make a bitchy comment toward you, it is probably true and I most likely mean it.  What does this say about me as an individual?  Maybe I am blunt.  Maybe I speak my mind.  Maybe I lack somewhat in the filtering department.  At the same time though, I feel that I am able to filter when I feel it necessary (even if others think I should filter a bit more often.)  My point through all of this rambling is that I am not bitchy to just anyone.  If I'm rude to you, there is probably a reason.  I'd like to say I'm sorry for it, but I'm really most likely not.

I like most people.  I feel I get along with most people.  This brings me back to the intention of this blog.  I like people who smile at strangers.  I like it when strangers smile or say "hello".  I try to smile and say "hello" to the people I come across as well.

The reason I bring all of this up is that society really surprises me.  This is as bittersweet as a comment could be.

I find it sad that people are sometimes so startled by someone they don't know just saying "hello".  My intention is never to startle someone, but it happens a lot and this fact makes my heart break a little for these people that must be used to being ignored.

Then of course there are those people who think "hello" is a cue for a 20 minute conversation about topics which neither party really care about.  These are usually the same people that get so overjoyed by your smile that they would leap in front of a moving car just to get closer to you.

Then there are those people.  You know who they are without mention.  They snarl at any sign of friendliness.  You could scream "HELLO!!!!" right in their ear and they would either snub you or continue walking like they never heard you in the first place.

There there is me.  If someone says "hi" to me on the street it makes my day.  I don't care who that person is, what they look like, or what they are doing.  They took the time to be friendly.  I smile and say "hello" back to them and we both go about our day. 

It's like the free version of paying it forward.  If someone smiles at you when you walk past them, aren't you that much more likely to smile at the next person you see?  Just think if everyone did this.  We would all walk around smiling.  It is a known fact that the very act of smiling instantly makes you a bit happier no matter what your circumstance.

So, smile at the next person you see, whether you know them or not.  Say "hello" to a stranger on the sidewalk.  Smile right now even if no one is around.  And show some teeth, would you?  You liked it, didn't you?

[Here's a little bugger that makes me smile.  (My nephew, Easton.)  He's smiling too, if you didn't notice.]