[dolphin08]

Hey guys and gals,

I'm back with another ridiculous question:

When you're walking down the street (or around your university or what have you), how do you interact with people? Do you smile at everyone? Do you just simply not interact with anyone you don't know? Do you smile at pretty girls? Do you size them up? Do you do more?

Is smiling an indication of interest? I'm trying to figure out if it'd be appropriate for me to simply smile all the time at anyone, girls and guys alike. Would that come across as weird? If so, isn't it also a little ****ed up to ignore anyone except pretty women, and only smile at them?

I'm a good looking guy, and sometimes random women look at me. I'm not sure how I should respond. I normally look back, but I feel that I might be coming across as creepy. Should I be smiling? Sometimes I do, and sometimes they smile back, but my smile is usually too subtle and quick to even be noticed. I'd have a much more attractive (and less fleeting) smile if I knew that it was appropriate.

[design219]

Nobody reads the manual anymore!

The rules are clearly spelled out in chapter 7, subsection D. (In mine, it's page 123-127, but I think everybody's is a bit different)

[f1000]

Originally Posted by dolphin08 

I'm trying to figure out if it'd be appropriate for me to simply smile all the time at anyone, girls and guys alike. Would that come across as weird...I'm a good looking guy, and sometimes random women look at me. I'm not sure how I should respond. I normally look back, but I feel that I might be coming across as creepy. Should I be smiling?

Nope, not creepy at all.

[goMac]

I just usually give everyone a suggestive wink. Goes over great at work.

[subego]

Isn't it weird to make eye contact with someone and not smile?

If they aren't making eye contact, then I sneak a look at the boobs.

[Doofy]

What's this "walking" thing that the OP is on about?

[dolphin08]

Originally Posted by subego 

Isn't it weird to make eye contact with someone and not smile?

If they aren't making eye contact, then I sneak a look at the boobs.

Well, I find it hard to walk around and not make eye contact with people. I'm not sure why that is. But if I smiled at everyone I made eye contact with, I think that'd also be weird.

[BlueSky]

I'd suggest not filling your head with more rules, protocol and such and just be yourself, however awkward, sublime or in between that may be. Your head is only so big and you need the space to fill with important matters, such as SpongeBob SquarePants plot lines and how to get out of doing the dishes. I mean, for real...do you really want to think that much that you'd actually want a list of rules for walking down the street? Relax, just shuffle like Gene Kelly and take no prisoners.

[Doofy]

Dolphin - you want the truth of the matter?

Forget about it and just do what comes naturally.

There's nothing which puts a person into the "creepy" zone quicker than them analysing everything. I guarantee it. Seriously.

If there's you and I in the street and you're analysing all the interactions I could pretty much go over and squeeze a stranger's boobies whilst shouting "honk honk" at the top of my voice and you'd still be the one who she thought most creepy.

If you feel like smiling at the hot chicks, then smile at the hot chicks.

[dolphin08]

Well, I'm already filling my head with thoughts about "should I smile"...I want to stop doing that by finding out what is generally acceptable. Not a list of rules, but just common sense that I seem to lack. Make sense?

Edit: Good point, Doofy.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by dolphin08 

Well, I'm already filling my head with thoughts about "should I smile"...I want to stop doing that by finding out what is generally acceptable.

It's your life dude - do what you feel like doing. If you feel like smiling at someone and they don't smile back then it's their loss - don't let it dent your day.

Anything which doesn't get you prison time is acceptable.

[Cold Warrior]

Depends on where you are. Smaller towns and cities, especially in the midwest or south, it's ok. In the northeast, just keep your eyes forward, no eye contact. People are in their own worlds, and wouldn't stop to help their grandmother.

[brassplayersrock²]

depends on where you really. do a test, and smile at random people, but not at everyone and see what they do. not a huge wide smile just a "have a nice day smile"

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by BlueSky 

I'd suggest not filling your head with more rules, protocol and such and just be yourself, however awkward, sublime or in between that may be. Your head is only so big and you need the space to fill with important matters, such as SpongeBob SquarePants plot lines and how to get out of doing the dishes. I mean, for real...do you really want to think that much that you'd actually want a list of rules for walking down the street? Relax, just shuffle like Gene Kelly and take no prisoners.

BlueSky is absolutely right!

I'm still working on not going outside the lines when I color ("colour" to all of my Canadian brothers out there). There are more important things in life than whether or not to smile at every jerk you see, unless you plan to be a politician or toupee salesman or something.

In general, I lick my lips when I see a hot girl, and when I see a hot guy I kind of point at my elbows. I've been told that my elbows are extremely sexy looking. I also wear a codpiece sometimes, as well as a cape on random days that I feel like wearing a cape.

I'm not suggesting you should be just like me though, because you have to be your own man or woman and find your own way in this world, but if you are truly lost I would suggest wearing a cape. People will really turn heads and feel safe around you if you do that. It's also good to practice putting your hands on your hips while your cape is dawned, and to stand over a vent or something so that the wind blows your cape around.

[ghporter]

I like smiling at people, especially pretty girls. It's the kind of gift that comes right back most of the time. And it doesn't matter if they're smiling because "oh, look at that codger trying to look friendly" or "hey, he's having a nice day and trying to spread it around." A smile is a smile. But like Doofy says, it's your life, go for it. Just don't put yourself into some situation where we read about quoting that guy in Florida

Don't tase me bro!

[red rocket]

Originally Posted by dolphin08

When you're walking down the street (or around your university or what have you), how do you interact with people?

I generally mind my own business.

Do you smile at everyone?

Certainly not.

Do you just simply not interact with anyone you don't know?

Just being around is an interaction, isn't it?

Do you smile at pretty girls?

If I think it'll work.

Do you size them up?

I do that with everyone, actually. The people I ignore have either failed to measure up, or else I'm being polite by giving them their privacy.

Do you do more?

If I want to pick them up, I might say something.

Is smiling an indication of interest? I'm trying to figure out if it'd be appropriate for me to simply smile all the time at anyone, girls and guys alike. Would that come across as weird?

It might be a matter of personal preference, but if I see someone who's smiling all the time, I tend to think they're (a) retarded, (b) fake, or, (c) on drugs.

If so, isn't it also a little ****ed up to ignore anyone except pretty women, and only smile at them?

What do you think pretty women do? They only smile at people they find attractive (or want to manipulate).

I'm a good looking guy, and sometimes random women look at me. I'm not sure how I should respond. I normally look back, but I feel that I might be coming across as creepy. Should I be smiling? Sometimes I do, and sometimes they smile back, but my smile is usually too subtle and quick to even be noticed. I'd have a much more attractive (and less fleeting) smile if I knew that it was appropriate.

If they smile at you first, of course it's appropriate.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by BlueSky 

I'd suggest not filling your head with more rules, protocol and such and just be yourself, however awkward, sublime or in between that may be.

Yeah, but what if he is a creepy freak?

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by dolphin08 

Is smiling an indication of interest? I'm trying to figure out if it'd be appropriate for me to simply smile all the time at anyone, girls and guys alike. Would that come across as weird? If so, isn't it also a little ****ed up to ignore anyone except pretty women, and only smile at them?

I'm a good looking guy, and sometimes random women look at me. I'm not sure how I should respond. I normally look back, but I feel that I might be coming across as creepy. Should I be smiling? Sometimes I do, and sometimes they smile back, but my smile is usually too subtle and quick to even be noticed. I'd have a much more attractive (and less fleeting) smile if I knew that it was appropriate.

You sound like you might be an android, or "replicant." I'd get that checked out right away.

[Tyler McAdams]

It definitely matters where you are. Big cities... keep your head down or eyes straight forward. In smaller towns everybody knows everybody so people are more friendly... or at least act more friendly.

Personally I say there really is no straight answer to give you since the situation you are describing ranges from simple courtesy to hitting on somebody.

[IceEnclosure]

just ask Alex #2 from The Last Starfighter:

YouTube - The Last Starfighter 09 of 12

[Nodnarb]

Wear sunglasses. Look wherever you want and no one will know.

[Chuckit]

Smiling is only bad etiquette at a funeral.