We all have heard the saying "smiles are contagious". It's something you might learn growing up, but don't put too much energy into it. Last decade of my life has proven this to be true.
I grew up in Lithuania during a Cold War. Soviet Union mentality has instilled fear and separateness. No one smiled, especially to a stranger. After my first trip to US I got back home and found a deep depression waiting for me on those cold winter nights. My adopted American hospitality and cheerful smile to a stranger was not welcome. People on the bus, in the park, at a store seemed to put a strong effort to not look at each other, better yet, smile. I thought I will go insane. Most Europeans I've met take pride in their dreary attitude. The American greeting "hi how are you, great how are you" followed by a smile is critiqued as a fake kindness and warmth. But is it really fake? And even if it is, what's wrong with seeing a smiling faces on the way to work or in the grocery line.
I permanently moved to US after the first smile-less winter home. Fake greetings and smiles suited me better than tortured, intellectual sour puss faces. A few years later I decided to run a small, unofficial research. I committed to myself, that every time I will make an eye contact with another human being, I'll smile, and see if I will receive a smile back. It's been 12 years since I started, and 99.9% of the time people return the smile. Sure, it maybe helps that I am a cute, blond chick, but my smile has been Contagious. It lifts my spirit and opens up my heart. Try it!
