- Because unless you're from the Midwest, you never know how people will respond.
How do you think people react to a smile? With a smile, scowl, spitting, yelling or maybe a, “How are you?”
- Assumed they were celebrating.
- Thought they were a motivational speaker.
- Thought they were hiding embarrassment.
- Asked which toothpaste they use.
- Thought the person was famous.
- Invited them to an event.
- Assumed they had exciting plans. Is this how you would react to a smile?
- Changed seats to sit farther away.
- Started telling jokes.
- Gave them a nickname.
- Smiled for the rest of the day.
- Claimed the smile made their day.
- Asked, “Why are you smiling?”
- Asked for advice.
- Called them “mysterious.”
- Started speaking in a different language.
- Asked if they were an actor.
- Started a debate.
- Told a random story.
- Offered a seat. Is this how you would react to a smile?
- Assumed the person was plotting something.
- Mistakenly greeted them by another name.
- Started copying their expressions.
- Bowed dramatically.
- Thought they were being recorded.
- Became convinced they were extremely confident.
- Asked for directions even when they knew the way.
- Wondered about them all day.
- Followed them to ask questions.
- Asked if they knew something important.
- Asked for luck before an exam.
- Offered encouragement.
- Assumed good news was coming.
- Returned an exaggerated grin.
- Became suspicious of hidden motives.
- Started laughing uncontrollably.
- Asked what was so funny.
- Thought the smile was directed at them romantically.
- Became curious about the person’s life story.
- Introduced themselves immediately.
- Tried to guess why they were happy.
- Bought the person a coffee.
- Invited them to play a game.
- Complimented their teeth. Is this how you would react to a smile?
- Shared a funny meme.
- Began a philosophical discussion.
- Called them “the happiest person here.”
- Shared a personal secret.
- Shared lucky numbers.
- Changed seats to sit closer.
- Offered a handshake.
- Offered a high-five.
- Smiled back for several minutes.
- Smiled back every time they made eye contact.
- Started singing.
- Offered a gift.
- Became unusually cheerful.
- Thanked them for brightening the room.
- Told them a riddle.
- Offered a random coupon.
- Offered a business card.
- Accused the person of being suspicious.
- Thought they recognized them.
- Gave a random compliment.
- Asked if it was their birthday.
- Became nervous and avoided eye contact.
- Assumed the person knew a secret.
- Saluted them. Is this how you would react to a smile?
- Asked for a recommendation.
- Drew a smiley face in response.
- Asked if the smile was real.
- Checked behind themselves to see what caused the smile.
- Asked if the person had won the lottery.
- Smiled back and then immediately looked away.
- Introduced them to strangers.
- Gave them a thumbs-up.
- Assumed they were in a good mood and shared bad news.
- Pretended to be a game-show host.
- Waved enthusiastically.
- Asked whether they were being laughed at.
- Mistook friendliness for flirting.
- Wrote about the encounter later.
- Took a photo with the smiling person.
- Laughed without knowing why.
- Treated them like a celebrity. Is this how you would react to a smile?
- Tried to cheer them up despite the smile.
- Tried to imitate the smile.
- Asked if they were okay.
- Offered career advice.
- Started an unexpected conversation.
- Waved at the wrong person.
- Started dancing. Is this how you would react to a smile?
- Remembered the smile years afterward.
- Offered free food.
- Gave unsolicited advice.
- Started clapping.
- Asked for a selfie.
- Started a group conversation.
- Mistook them for an old friend.
- Shared good news instead.
What do you think of these ways people react to a smile? Tell us how you react to a smile in the comments!