Wednesday, April 27, 2011.....
At the beginning of this month, I decided to say hi, how are you to everyone who crossed my path. Well, I haven't.
Actually, it was very eye opening to me. I would remember that I wanted to do this AFTER I passed most people. I became conscious of the fact that I much more shy than I realized and look down a lot when I walk (in fairness to me, I am somewhat klutzy and trip quite a bit). However, when I remembered, the reactions were interesting.
I think the more interesting reactions came from people who were either service people (parking attendants) or people that were a different race than me. They responded with more zeal than others and put a smile on my face. It was nice seeing how one polite salutation made a difference.
I never really realized how much this experiment would impact me, but it has. It has made me aware I need to stop being so timid and how I saying something so simple can make a person smile.
I liked doing this experiment and will continue to do so. I'm hoping it becomes second nature and I don't have to remember to say it. Until then, I will make the conscious effort to remember.
I'm curious, has anyone tried an experiment like this? If so, I'd love to hear your results.
13 comments:
i think it is a great idea...it does brighten the day of those around you and yourself...so i am game
I haven't tried it but I will now. I'm all over this.
Well, I've never tried it as an experiment but I can tell you that I've STOPPED saying "Hi" to most of the people in my office. After months of saying hello to people in the hallway and having them just STARE at me and keep walking, I'm just over being nice.
I have never done this experiment, but I have noticed a difference on days that I feel more "smiley" than other. I confess doing this terrifies me a little, but sounds so so great...
LMB, I say hello to everyone I come in contact with and get mainly positive responses. I also make sure I call people by their name (provided they wear a name tag) while shopping. It totally takes people by surprise. One girl who has worked at Macy's for years said I was the only person who called her by name. I thought that was pretty sad. I just think it's common courtesy.
LMB, I also meant to say that on my drive in today, the guy in the car next to me sneezed so I "blessed him." He was able to read lips and thanked me. You are correct, a hello or a smile can really make a person's day. Try using people's names too, I get teased by my friends, but people love it!
It starts with eye contact and aa shy grin. :-) After that, THEY say "hi" to YOU.
Least ways that's how we do it ini Minnesota. :-)
Pearl
Yup. I made it a point to compliment everyone I came across no matter what. Even the ones that were not nice. It's amazing how fast they became more kind.
You never know another person's story or what kind of day they're having. A simple gesture like that could be all it takes to make their day. Keep up the experiment and see how many lives you can impact.
I've done this before, and here in South FL. people look at me like I have a second head, and scurry away when I said 'hello'. So I really don't know what that says about people down here,...but I have to say for my own safety, I NEVER look down no matter where I'm walking, and I make it a point to look everyone square in the face, and I know that sounds aggressive, but I won't be mugged again,-EVER, and if someone ever tries again, they will have a fight like never before,...so yeah, I've tried smiling and saying 'hi' to strangers,-DIDN'T work for me.
In all honesty, I smile and say hi to almost everyone I come in contact with. I've always been bad about "talking to strangers" as my family calls it. I'm just friendly. In recent years, I've noticed that a lot of people walk around with scowls on their faces. It seriously annoys me and I take it as a personal challenge to make them smile.
Why, yes, I have been told that I'm annoyingly perky.
♥Spot
Brian - It does, but it really made me aware how shy I really am.
Mandy - I'd love to hear how it comes out.
BeckEye - maybe they are deaf and can't read lips?
Titania - start small - start in the places you frequent.
Maria - really? you were the 1st person to call her by her name? wow. wait, I'm not sure if I've used a name tag. Hmmm...I will make it a point to do so when or if I go shopping again.
Pearl - I find people in the midwest to be so much nicer than people in the northeast.
ME - that is very true. I've noticed the same. Sometimes being kind is the only way to diffuse a situation.
Matty - I've had positive response and I've actually noticed it puts a smile on my face.
angelsroy33 - that's too bad that people couldn't accept a nice gesture. almost makes me think they've been jaded. I'm also sorry to hear you've been mugged. I've never been and can't even begin to imagine it.
Spot - I remember reading one of your posts where your kids told you to stop talking to strangers. It made me laugh. If you keep saying hi to people, maybe others will do the same.
I love to say Hi to people but like you i'm a little shy and it's not 2nd nature yet. My MIL always calls people by their names if they're wearing name tags and it cracks me up for some reason. :)
Post a Comment