Dear LPG, 

I have always thought that offering a stranger a smile as you walk down the street is one of those acts of random kindness that can make their day and yours.  During my working life, I remember many a trip to work when a smile was offered to me on a day when I felt less than positive, which lifted my mood.  

In my experience, giving one without getting a facially expressive reaction back is challenging. 
I find it an exceptionally positive thing to do when I travel alone, and there is so often that embarrassing moment on a train or a bus when you are just sitting (or standing) as you pass the time reading a book or studying your mobile phone and then you look up to find someone looking at you.  They will be embarrassed because you caught them, and it can make for an extremely awkward reaction which can be evaporated entirely with a smile that turns what could be a ‘why are you looking at me like that?’ moment into a ‘nice to meet you too‘ one.

When I started the practice, I worried about it making me appear a bit stupid, but most of the reactions I get back are positive and far outweigh the few negative ones.  Perhaps those looks that communicate disbelief or questions about your intent at least provoke some new reaction in the people who reciprocate them. 

If you offer a couple during your journey, you will be doing yourself a service as well as the person you aim your smile at because although, if you listen to the consensus, it is often said that you exercise more muscles by frowning than by smiling.  But there must be a train of thought that dictates that exercising muscles in the face is good.  I have also found internet evidence that your brain and emotions benefit too. 

You don’t need your hands for this exercise, and in these post-coved days, I can attest that if your smile comes from inside, a smile even works when delivered from behind a facial mask. 

The only word of warning that I would offer is if you are smiling at a young child you don’t know, share one with their parent too.  Luckily anyone who reads this site is likely to be too old for their smile to be mistaken for a boy meets girl invitation unless that is what they are trying to communicate.

There are now many people that I have a smiling relationship with.  We have never spoken, but when I pass them in the supermarket or on the street, a smile is all it takes to lift the mood, and if you take the time to talk, the possibilities are endless.

MC, Woolwich.

MC has found a few internet thoughts and facts on the subject…

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…and LPG adds some information on today’s celebration…

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