The Art of The Smile - Would You Like Happiness With That?

Some rights reserved by Lel4ndDo you make a conscious effort to smile? I'm not talking about when you actually have something to smile about. I'm talking about when there's nothing in particular to smile about and you do it anyway. If you aren't doing it, you should be. Let me explain.

I had an epiphany recently. I was rushing through my day, completely ignoring humanity in general, when I utilized a drive-thru restaurant facility to quick-quick-hurry-get-some-food. I pulled through the first window, handed over my money like a drone on auto-pilot, retrieved my receipt with a general look of "who gives a crap" on my face, and headed to the second window to pick up my food.

Somewhere, between the first and second window came the epiphany, an appetizer to the Big Mac, if you will. It suddenly dawned on me that I wasn't being friendly.

I felt like Adam & Eve in the garden, suddenly naked. I felt a sudden twinge of... of... guilt! Why, I hadn't even bothered to look at the face of the person taking my money. And I certainly hadn't smiled at her and been friendly. All of a sudden, I was ashamed of myself. I could do better! And I should! There was no reason not to do better, for the good of all humanity, or at least the good of the drive-thru workers.

For all I knew, one of them could be suicidal, clinically depressed, or just having a crappy day. And me coming through the line, thoroughly indifferent and normal... well, that was not going to help anybody.

So when I got to the second window, I looked the lady directly in the eye and said, "Hello," as she handed me my food. I smiled. On purpose. At her. Not only that, but when she was through handing me my food, I looked her in the eye again and said, "Thank you! You have a wonderful day!" I smiled again. On purpose.

The experiment was going well. I received a response that was similar to what I projected. Smile. Happy. Nice. Repeat!

Since it went so well at the drive-thru, I decided to try my experiment at Wal-Mart. I went through the checkout and addressed the checker with genuine friendliness. Again, I smiled and thanked her and told her to have a wonderful day. This was awesome. You'd think I was the one providing the service!

And there was Ian, the subject of the My Love/Hate Relationship with Wal-Mart post, right at the next register, reminding me that I was doing the right thing and I should be proud of myself.

I was on fire! Watch me burn, baby.

On the way out the door, I got totally crazy. I started smiling at strangers. Now, I think it's very nice to do this and most people smiled back, but here's a list of commentary I think may have been going through their minds:

Do I know her?
Does she think she knows me?
That lady must have something wrong with her, smiling at random strangers. That's not right.
Why is she smiling? Did she just fart?
What's wrong? Is there something on my face?
What's wrong with that lady? Does she want to kidnap my children?
Is that girl high?
That lady is waaaayyyy too happy.
(Male) Is she flirting with me? I am having a pretty good hair day.
(Female) Is she flirting with me? She must be a lesbian.

I challenge you to smile at somebody you wouldn't normally smile at today, say a kind thing, and see if you get a free order of happiness with that effort.

What does my smile say to you?

See original post photo at http://bit.ly/LhDjU5

Cindy A. Brown is a humor writer from Central IL. Enjoy more of her work by visiting her blog www.everydayunderwear.com.

Comments

[James Dugan]

I enjoyed this post on your site when I first read it. Thanks for sharing at the table. It has been on my mind many times as I interact throughout the day. I meet many people during the year and I am noticing more whether people smile when they greet you. The other day I was in a restaurant and I literally seen someone snap their fingers at a server. It was one of the most degrading actions I have ever seen as I watched the server's face and body become paralyzed with sadness and defeat.

I remembered your blog when I saw it and have been trying to smile when I meet people. It is important for the dignity of others to know they have self worth as you clearly state above. Your words have positive influences.

I hope you come by regularly. Your writing is as fresh as your perspectives so more people can be introduced to your work. It reminds me of Lana who writes regularly for lunch.

Thanks again for the reminder to smile and lunch.

[Patrick Edmonds]

This was a good piece with good advice. I don't smile enough, but I do say thank you, please, and your welcome as often as possible. I can't stand people who don't say thank you. What's amazing is how shocked people are to hear it. I'm sure people would attribute this to the entitlement culture that we live in, and it may be true, but the greater cause is a simple decline in etiquette. Thanks for sharing your experiences; I'll certainly attempt to heed your advice the next time I notice I'm not smiling.