Smile and say hello

[Guest_1055]

Today I thought it would be a great idea to actually smile and verbally say hello to at least one other person. Why? 

   I chose to smile and say hello to the person at the drive through window at McDonald's.

[Paul]

There's two gentlemen I walk past every morning on my way to the train station, they are on their way off of the train to work. One of the guys is very shy, the other seems nonchalant.

I'm going to pluck up the courage to say good morning one day. It will probably scare the life out of them, but I think it's a personal mission to say g'day. A leap out of my comfort zone.

A friend and I from work are supposed to be going to a table of (hopefully interesting and attractive looking guys) and introducing ourselves when we go out to have a few drinks on some friday nights.

Hehehe one friday night I was staring at a guy smoking. He smiled and waved (I thought my luck had changed). Anyway I followed him inside and went up and said hello. Met the people at his table. He said that He thought I wanted to pick a fight with him when I was looking at him outside. I said that I was trying to pick him up! We both laughed and he kindly let me know he is straight. I shook his hand and thanked him for being a good sport.

It was kinda fun 🙂

Paul

[Guest_1055]

Hi Paul

Yes it would get us out of our comfort zone for sure.

These are my reasons I chose to smile and say hello

1     as a strategy to look outward and not on my own problems all the time.

2.    To help the other person as they may be not having a good day . 

3.    To conquer fear within myself in regards to verbally speaking to anyone.

4.   Acknowledging that other people exist and to send a message that they are worthy of someone caring.

Note: The outcome of my experiment does work I think. Because when I chose to smile and say hello, even to the person on the checkout in the supermarket, they sort of become real people, their replies are not rehearsed. You sort of feel a human connection, sort of very hard to explain. I walk away feeling happier myself, because I have chosen to give something to someone else, and they do appear happier as well. Not sure if that makes sense. But oh well. I know smiling is infectious in a happy sort of way

[StefT]

Really spot on explanation of the benefits of smiling to people, so good i'm going to cut and paste it for my own benefit . I'm an introvert/director dealing with lifelong habits and don't smile much but i've noticed people working boring pressure checkout jobs look for and appreciate respect and valuation wheather it is just a smile or a little uplifting chit chat.

[Guest_1055]

Hello StefT

I feel honoured that you are going to cut and paste my thoughts. And I am so glad they are of benefit to you.

Shelley anne

[Guest_1055]

Hi StefT again

The people  working on the checkouts really do love it when you show an interest in them as people. I think they greet  so many customers during their shift, I am guessing it is a breath of fresh air to be greeted with a smile from a customer.

[Guest_1055]

Walked past a large store window tonight, I looked inside, there was a person looking right back at me. Oh they looked so sad, with sorrowful eyes. I smiled at them, nothing changed on their face. Then slowly their face did change, and they smiled right back.                  

                            YOU CAN CATCH A SMILE

[Guest_1055]

My experiment with choosing to smile at least to one person today was really hard. When I felt sad, I could not force a smile to come by myself. I needed another human to help me. I guess that is why we need each other. So thank you to that person. I did say hello though. Does that count??

[Lookingforpeace]

Yes it counts.

The other day I was at the shops and having a really bad day, feeling quite down. 

As I was walking out of a shop, a young lady about my age made way and said a friendly "after you" to let me pass.

Such a small action and it made a world of difference to my day. She didn't need to let me pass first - we were both female, both roughly the same age, I'm not pregnant or anything.

Its definitely the little things.

[Guest_1055]

Hello  Lookingforpeace

Yes I know what you saying. Even politeness, gestures or even the way someone speaks to you, like their tone of voice can move you in someway. I too was feeling really low one day, and I stopped at bakers delight to buy some bread. The older lady , a stranger that was serving me said " what can I get for you sweetie". I don't know it was the way she said it, her tone of voice helped me in someway.

With a smile to you