But They Think I'm An Alien

A lot depends upon where you are. I have lived in areas where to smile or say 'hi' at a stranger was almost taboo, like you were crazy or weird or something. I have lived in other areas where to smile or to say 'hi' to a stranger was perfectly acceptable and considered polite. I think it can be the same with eye contact.

yeah, probably so. thanx

I think Cosmo must be right. I always expect people to smile back and they almost always do:)

where are you from? i'm from rural MD and some people here are pretty wrapped up in themselves.

I'm from just north of you, also a rural area. I know you're going to think I'm crazy, Kamisgirl, but I do believe that our expectations play a part in what actually happens.And, it might not happen the first time, or the second, but over time, it will.---I almost always get the green light and a great parking spot, too. I'm not being flippant with you. I just expect it to happen:)

I love to smile at ppl even if I don't know them. It just gives me a warm feeling inside to know that a smile can make a person's day. Even if the person doesn't smile back I always greet ppl because that's just the way I'am. If a smile could say a thousand words than I have said a million words in a day.

When I was a kid I made a game of smiling. I would try to see how many people I could get to smile with my smile.

Many people are very wrapped up in their own mind that they do not even see you sharing your love with the world.

Many people believe a stranger smiling at them means the stranger wants something from them. That is why you get the weird looks.

Never stop smiling, because you are sharing your love with the world and that is a precious and beautiful gift you are willing to give. You never know who's life you may change that day even if you don't get to see the results.

Smiles, Light and Love - RavenWolf

Tell me about it! I always smile to people on the street, but when they give you a filthy look back or ignore you entirely, you just stop trying. It's sad how unfriendly we all are nowadays - when I hold open doors for people, they completely ignore me too! It might sound old-fashioned, but it is quite irritating when you're a nice girl, just standing there holding open the door and no one can even smile or say thankyou, let alone offer to take it for you! It's really worrying just how anti social we're all becoming.

I will carry on smiling, in hope that I might improve somebodies day but it would be nice if once in a while, people weren't so damn rude....I want to be kind, and have hope that maybe they didn't smile back because they were having a bad day but at the same time, I don't want to be a fool :)

Tell me about it! I always smile to people on the street, but when they give you a filthy look back or ignore you entirely, you just stop trying. It's sad how unfriendly we all are nowadays - when I hold open doors for people, they completely ignore me too! It might sound old-fashioned, but it is quite irritating when you're a nice girl, just standing there holding open the door and no one can even smile or say thankyou, let alone offer to take it for you! It's really worrying just how anti social we're all becoming.

I will carry on smiling, in hope that I might improve somebodies day but it would be nice if once in a while, people weren't so damn rude....I want to be kind, and have hope that maybe they didn't smile back because they were having a bad day but at the same time, I don't want to be a fool :)

I smile at randoms sometimes. It's all part of the perpetual, complex dance of human eye contact and body language. One smile says "warm and friendly", another says "sleazy old man". Once you become a Jedi Master of smiling, you will rule the world. sort of.