Do you smile at strangers in the street?

[Exius Xavarus]

Nah, I usually just give a small nod, IF we make eye contact.

 

[tehfeen83]

I will smile at strangers in the street, but only if I know them.

Here you go! [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/stranger]

I generally don't. Smiling is awkward in general to me, especially to people I've never met.

Wow, thanks for the lesson! Here's one for you.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/joke

Jokes are meant to be funny........

Yeah, I thought my joke was pretty funny, glad you liked it too. Thanks my best pal!

 

[Snowy Rainbow]

I smile and say hello to everyone

 

[meticadpa]

Yes. Whenever I walk past people and they look at me, I always smile, even if they don't smile back. It's nice to be nice.

Of course, since I live in Scotland, you always run the risk of being asked, "You squarin' uptae me, big man?" if you do that, but that's a risk I'm prepared to take.

 

[Dragonborne88]

Uh, I don't smile at strangers. Easy way to get weird looks or at worse, mugged or something. I'm pretty sure I've given weird looks to people who are staring too long even. Focus forward, eyes front, is usually how I go.

I'm a super nice guy too, just only with people I know. If they came over and started a conversation, I'd totally be all up for talking.

 

[Broken Blade]

I smile and give a friendly nod in greeting. It's a bit less awkward than waving at everyone.

 

[Evil Top Hat]

My friends mum, for 2 years smiled at this same woman every day on the way to work. After 2 years, the woman asked her to coffee and they became friends.

My Mum was in a similar situation, except the woman she smiled at on the way to work every morning had kids, who started calling her "aunty".

She goes a different way to work now.

 

[GamemasterAnthony]

You kidding? This is Minnesota. We engage in ENTIRE CONVERSATIONS with perfect strangers all the time. I think it's in our DNA.

So...smiling at strangers? Happens all the time with me and it is often returned.

 

[Detective Prince]

Depends what's playing on my iPod. If it's a happy song then I'll smile at people, if I'm listening to something else then I don't smile...But I don't ignore most people either or scowl.

 

[warprincenataku]

Yes, and sometimes I tend to strike up conversations with them. Also, I live in a foreign country and English is not their native language. I think... maybe it makes it easier.

 

[LuckyClover95]

My friends mum, for 2 years smiled at this same woman every day on the way to work. After 2 years, the woman asked her to coffee and they became friends.

My Mum was in a similar situation, except the woman she smiled at on the way to work every morning had kids, who started calling her "aunty".

She goes a different way to work now.

Haha a different way on purpose? Aww

 

[Marmooset]

Of course I do!
If they don't smile back - well, that's when the stabbing begins.

 

[Captain Underbeard]

If I make eye contact with someone in my local neighbourhood, I smile - if only to defuse the awkwardness of having been caught looking at them lol. People tend to feel uncomfortable if you look at them straight in their days.

As for the Tube (metro), people always try to look everywhere apart from at someone else. It's quite funny actually.

I live in London, UK. It's a city of transcience, and full of strangers. I think the larger the place you live, the less friendly strangers are.

 

[Knusper]

In my own village? Sure?

In the nearby town? Usually no unless it's a nice day because well... let's just say it's not the friendliest of places.

 

[Alexias_Sandar]

I smile at people generally. And...horror of horrors, even often will greet people with a good day or the like. Actually based which of two colleges I went to on how people responded. At one, people glowered and not a single person responded. At the other, almost everyone smiled back and many responded. So...I went where people were nicer, happier, and more polite.

 

[TheLoneBeet]

Unless some form of contact is made (eye contact or accidentally bump into each other) I usually don't. If contact is made I at least try to convey "I'm not a dick." as best I can by giving a nod or a smile depending on gender.

I smile if I think they're hot... this doesn't happen as often as i'd like!

Also this.

 

[Psytrese]

I would love to say I smiled at everyone on the street, but I usually only smile at a select few.

It's difficult to tell really if I'll smile at someone or not; but generally I smile at someone if I feel that I'm appearing intimidating. Such as, if I'm wearing black or have a hood up.

So if I'm wearing black and it's a rainy day and you're an old woman, then get ready for a smile!

Or if it's a sunny day and you're gorgeous (and preferably female), then chances are you're on the receiving end of one too.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

At first I thought this thread was entitled 'Do you smite strangers in the street?'
[sub]because I totally do[/sub]

I only usually smile at them if one of us has to move aside for eachother or they do first. otherwise I mind my own business.