Hot day, sticky day, humid day. I hate days like this. It put me in a bad mood and the last thing I wanted to do was go to the grocery store. But duties must be done. Here's what amazed me. Twice, I was smiled at. For no reason. I didn't know the other person. They didn't know me. They just smiled as we passed.
Now it was nice for me that both the smiles came from women. That's something I find embarassing. I smiled back, put my head down, and kept moving. But I've always wondered what brings it on. Why smile at a stranger for no reason. Are they flirting? Probably not. I go home, look in the mirror and know that no they weren't flirting. Maybe it's in their nature. Maybe it's the way they live their lives. Smile at a stranger. No alterior motives, no "let's go get a drink somewhere", just a smile because it's who they are.
I wonder sometimes if you should follow up on it. Maybe say something. It might be fate. It might be kizmet. Could this be the soul mate you never thought you'd meet? But you leave it because it's just a nice gesture from someone who seems to be a nice person. It's flattering and it's embarassing that they would pick you to smile at. They might do it to every one but I don't want to know that. It makes me feel special. And when you're having a hot, sticky, crappy day it changes everything.
I have no idea who these 2 women were. I will probably never see them again. But they changed my day. They made me feel better about myself. It was a nice moment. They will probably never read this but....thank you.
Sounds like you had a good day at the grocery store. We all need those days from time to time. Don't sell yourself short. It might have been for the obvious reason.
Mary, well for me the most obvious reason was that they were just nice people.
Rick, you need to go to Newfoundland. I just spent 10 days working there and I would say almost every person I met had a smile or hello for you. It can sure change your outlook on the day to a positive.
You are supposed to keep the smiles going. Now it's your turn to smile at 2 people, so that they in turn can (hopefully) make the same realization as you and keep the smiles going. Smiles :)
@Rick C - I agree on Newfoundland. I go there once a year for business meetings with a couple of distributors of ours, and without doubt, the Islanders are the most pleasant and interesting peole I deal with all year.
Hey Rick...I remember reading something years ago that grocery stores are a good place to randomly meet people. If I can recall, we (men) are showing a softer side by picking up our groceries either for ourselves, or the family. So you never know, maybe a suggestion for a coffee after checking out wouldn't be out of line?...ladies, your thoughts (of course a glance on the left hand may be in order first)!
Ken, I have certainly heard that as well. Pay forward is also an excellent idea. But I get many smiles a day especially in places like Tim Horton's and have considered it just human socialization. Did you ever think Rick that you were recognized? You have been on the face of many buses over the years. At the least I think you might have made two new friends yesterday.
Arlene: That sounds like a friendly version of a pyramid scheme.
I will sometimes smile at strangers, could be because I'm a Maritimer! I hope the people I smile at don't think I'm trying to pick them up although now that you mention it....maybe I'll start smiling at good looking men and see what happens. :)
They must have been runners...we smile at everyone.
I'm cool with being smiled at, but I did have a sales guy wink at me when I told him I'd drop back in to his store after lunch. That was weird...and I didn't go back.
There's a big difference between being grinned at by a whacko / pick-upster and someone offering a smile and not looking back. Feels good for everyone involved.