h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It has always mystified me why some people smile sweetly at me.

I can't claim that it happens very often, or it'd start worrying me. Only rarely (once in a few years or so).

And they're always complete strangers.

And mostly old people, but not always.

Afterwards, I've checked my outer self, but found myself to look rather normal and average, as usual. No toilet paper stuck in my pants, no smear on my face, nothing.

So I'm thinking they're smiling at my inner self - but at what part of it?

Nuns are over-represented in this group, as are old men with a foreign background (one old man who I think stemmed from Algeria even went so far as to start talking to me) and even Thomas di Leva (Swedish artist) has smiled at me (but then, he is rather 'up in the clouds').

I can't help but smiling back, while wondering why? Why? Why are they smiling at me? And what does my inner self look like? And is it Cme or Sme or a combination of both? Or neither?

*looks deep into her own eyes in a mirror but doesn't see anything special*

I think because I find you interested in the world, actually *seeing* what you look at, seeing the people around you, people see you too. To be seen is such a charming experience in it self, to be seen by a kind heart is even better.

'To be seen by a kind heart' - thanks Milla, that's food for some thought

When I was a little girl we were expected to smile at everyone. Nowadays if you smile at strangers you are considered a bit odd. But as I am not particularly worried about what others think, if I see someone who looks smile-worthy, I smile. In fact, now I think about it, I shall do more smiling at strangers.

I talk to them too, usually when they return the smile to me.

I smile all the time at any or every whose eyes I catch, I like to think I'm spreading a little happiness...

I even smiled at the old guy whose car I was about to get into this morning, then I realised it wasn't my car...smiled and shuffled off...it made him smile too

People should smile more often as it's lovely to be smiled at isn't it! And I love the thought that we're smiling at the inside

I'm trying to work out how this fits in with your journal "Invisible", Ti.

Either way - if we all took to smiling at people we see, that would soon cheer up a large chunk each of Spain, Sweden, Germany and the UK - so let's get started!

Honestly - I'm serious - I think it's a good idea.

A surprisingly huge amount of women - whom I have never met before! - smile at me when I'm out walking these streets of mine. Some of them are as young as maybe 14 or 16 so they are definitely not all "invitational smiles", if you know what I mean. And they are not grinning, but actually smiling

Okay, it doesn't happen every day, but once a week maybe, and there are also people who look like they are in very bad moods - but who's counting those, right?

The 'smilers' make me very happy, because I choose to believe that meeting me have put them in a good mood

Although why that is, I have no idea - but who cares?

The smilers are people just like you and me, maybe they are having a good day? Maybe they think you look friendly? Maybe the sight of you just made them happy :D

Smile back!

Up until I was about 10 yrs old I used to smile and say "hello" to EVERYONE I met in the street, until one say my mom told me I dont have to say hello to everyone. So I stopped... maybe I should start again? How funny that would be, to say "hello" to everyone... can you picture me on the subway?!

When I'm on my bike, I always smile at people for the sheer unadulterated hell of it. It's just, y'know, being friendly and stuff.

TC, I *do feel invisible most of the time - these people who smile at me are few and far apart in time.

But I will start smiling back, instead of looking puzzled (I might have smiled back already, automtacially, not sure what my facial reaction response was).

And I'll start smiling at anyone whose gaze I manage to catch.

This song matches my mood right now and yes, I know I've been posting this link elsewhere on hootoo, but I really like the song.

Laleh: Live Tomorrow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu9NPb2G_pM&feature=related

I spend my holidays in a small town in Austria, and ALL the locals say hello to one another all the time...and now say hello to me and my other half! They say hello to every one in a restaurant, for example and also goodbye when they leave...smiling all the time.

You know when a tourist is new to the place because they don't speak and look confused when every one is so friendly

It's a lovely old fashioned place ...

Austria, Rosie? One of my favourite places is Badgastein, where anything is allowed to take the time it needs to be well done.

We went to Austria for a couple of holidays when the kids were small (in the early 80s) and I remember them being very good at service and very friendly - and particularly child-friendly.

I have always lived in small villages and am used to saying "hello" to everyone I encounter/pass on the street outside my own garden.