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smile at strangers


 

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How to smile at strangers by Landseer

"It was tough, but I just kept smiling and they finally responded!"

How I did it: I was working in a hospital. Every day, I'd pass by some "gloomy guss'es" and I'd give them a smile. It took 30 days for them to begin responding back with a smile. All the sudden, when they smiled back, the hallways lit up like the sun had just come through the walls! I was so happy about that and started to giggle a bit to myself. The satisfaction you gain from accomplishing something so small, is awesome! At the same time, you've managed to brighten someone else's day. When you're smiling the whole world smiles with you.

Lessons & tips: Never give up. Just look for the gloomiest looking people and gain eye contact long enough to smile at them. You don't have to say a word. Sure, people may call you a "goodie-two-shoes" or "too bubbly" but ya know what? They are just upset that they aren't doing that themselves.

Resources: My own experiences and experimentation have been my resource.


3 people found this helpful
 

Apr 10, 07:01AM PDT | 2 comments | 6 cheers



More "How I Did It" stories

sillyrabbit74

It took me
1 day
It made me
happy!

How I did it: Just start smiling! Hold your head up high and look people in the eye when you pass on the street, its all about confidence. Smiles are contagious, I imagined that if just one person smiled back per day, then they passed it on to someone else and so on then my job was done!It very soon becomes habit. Read how I did it…

Nov 07, 03:03PM PST | 2 comments


jaguthin

It took me
41 years
It made me
open

How I did it: This was truly a manifestation of my own self doubts and insecurities. As I grow more confident in myself it just happens. There is no real secret.  I think, learn to have more compassion. Everyone has stuff going on inside. Try to understand that. Simply love mankind. Read how I did it…

May 28, 06:06PM PDT | 0 comments | 4 cheers


cheeseyme

It made me
be happier

How I did it: You know the game sweet and sour? It's the same idea! But you just wave and smile where ever you go. If people get mad and flip you off. Make a I'm sorry you fell that way look.     Read how I did it…

Mar 01, 12:20PM PST | 0 comments


wundernett

It took me
1 year
It made me
smiling

How I did it: just try to sit down in the metro and smiling to the others - first they are irritated - then they look too the ground and then they smile back.and then - that is the best - they smile to someone else :D Read how I did it…

Jan 27, 04:35PM PST | 0 comments | 2 cheers


People doing this:

  • South Carolina
    9 entries

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    People doing this are also doing these things:

    Entries

    Cry4theSun

    A Little Shy 2 weeks ago

    I’ve decided that I would start to smile at strangers. I usually never do and want that to change, so I come off as a kind person, and maybe even brighten someone’s day. What I’ve found though, is that I’m always so quick to avoid eye contact with strangers whenever I pass by them. It’s because of my shyness. I’m trying to stop letting my self-consciousness get in the way though. I know I can if I try hard enough. Smiling at others is a wonderful thing! :-)

    Oct 22, 12:08PM PDT | 1 cheer | 1 comment


    lappynet has toothache from the dentist visit yesterday

    Untitled 2 months ago

    I’ve just moved into a new build block of flats. We’re all being very friendly to each other. It’s giving me lots of opportunities to smile at new people.

    Aug 18, 11:21PM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    Miggins1

    Come on oldies! 3 months ago

    I tried extrmely hard to smile at everyone I saw today from babies to old age pensioners. Most smiled back and made me even more smiley but I found that the oldies wre not so quck to pull a grin, what a shame. I’m going to carry on doing this all my life so I can be a smiley oldie! xx

    Jul 28, 09:29AM PDT | 4 cheers | 1 comment


    Miggins1

    Come on oldies! 3 months ago

    I tried extrmely hard to smile at everyone I saw today from babies to old age pensioners. Most smiled back and made me even more smiley but I found that the oldies wre not so quck to pull a grin, what a shame. I’m going to carry on doing this all my life so I can be a smiley oldie! xx

    Jul 28, 09:26AM PDT | 0 comments


    Miggins1

    A smile goes a long long way 3 months ago

    I want to do this because it brightens up your day AND someone elses, a smile goes a long long way! xx

    Jul 26, 08:10AM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    Dave

    Easy 4 months ago

    Its fun and easy! 9 out of 10 people will smile back at you! If not, don’t even worry about it! Its amazing how many conversatiions you can have with other people!

    Jun 23, 07:31AM PDT | 2 cheers | 0 comments


    olizette is feeling good.

    This will be hard for me. 6 months ago

    I am the type of person that is annoyed if strangers strike up a conversation with me. Why? because im too busy to hear it. That is a horrible attitude to have. Im not very friendly and i realize that its a flaw. I am a very loyal and giving friend, but it takes time to earn my trust.

    Apr 21, 09:37AM PDT | 2 cheers | 1 comment


    AnaSoraya is thinking about whats next!

    Believe it or not 8 months ago

    But if you smile at ppl some will smile back, and the best part is when somebody smiles at you first. I really like this one I havent been able to put to much input on this one due to other stuff going on in my life but I cant wait to do it!!

    Mar 14, 10:05PM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    jaguthin

    I bought a book yesterday ... 8 months ago

    On starting conversations. I figured it would help me along with the smiling thing.

    Mar 01, 12:35PM PST | 0 comments


    kailove07

    Untitled 9 months ago

    i went out earlier today and made sure i smiled at absolutely everyone i came in contact with or passed by.

    Jan 30, 07:59PM PST | 0 comments


    → See all 199 entries

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