The "Hide It, Fix It, Flaunt It" show reminded me of the importance of smiling. It is a friendly, open, and welcoming facial expression that communicates, "Hey, I'm a nice person. I'm going to be nice to you." The single act of smiling can elicit many responses, usually positive ones. In basic, day-to-day interactions with the world, a smile can get you a friendly reception. People are more likely to deal with you in a pleasant, friendly manner. Before I continue, this may be common sense to you, but believe me, some people are completely oblivious to this. Try this exercise when you are doing errands with several destinations.
1.) Don't smile at the attendant at your first destination. See what kind of a reaction you get.
2.) Smile at the attendant at your second destination. See what kind of a reaction you get.
3.) Repeat Step #1.
4.) Repeat Step #2.
5.) Reflect on which elicits a response that you like and would like to get more of.
I guarantee you smiling at the attendant will get you a more pleasant service. It may get you quicker service, if that's what you want. (I work in retail, and believe me, when a nasty woman or man comes up to me without a smile and demands I hurry because they are in a rush, I will work slower than a snail drenched in molasses. My fellow retail colleagues will agree with me 100% and will do the same.) You may even get perks like more free samples, freebies other people don't get, inside tips on sales or the best time to shop if that's what you are doing (Hey, this is the really good stuff), and better service than the other people in line. And guess what, next time they see you, they may smile at you first and give you the excellent service you deserve because believe me, as much as companies train employees to give excellent service, there are just some assholes out there that don't deserve even mediocre service. So flaunt that smile and work that smile !
I won't discuss much how smiling works on the opposite sex, as flirting is not my expertise. All I know is that MEN LOVE WOMEN THAT SMILE !!! I learned that from "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus." I know how smiling can get you unsolicited attention, and even get you a stalker, so in this sense you have to be choosy on who you smile at. Don't be a smiling idiot, as apparently, that's how I got a stalker.
If you don't mind getting a stalker, then do be a smiling idiot. Smiling increases your serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of happiness and well-being. For me, when I am not feeling that well, I fake smile at the mirror for several minutes, and it really boosts my mood. Give it a try next time you are not feeling your best.
Ugly people benefit the most from smiling. Let's face it. Good looking people don't have to do much to be good looking. Us average and less than average in the looks department have to work harder to be easier on the eyes. Don't look to make-up and plastic surgery as a first resort. Your first thing on the to-do list of looking better is smiling. It's free, and it's good for you !!! It shows that you have an inner beauty, which is more important than physical beauty anyway. When I am not smiling, friends always ask me "why are you mad," or "why are you angry?" My response is, "That's what I look like when I am not smiling. My face falls angry. That's why I smile all the time." I am not good looking, but smiling moves me in the attractive range, and further away from the ugly end of the spectrum.
Smile and the world does smile with you after all, but if you are self-conscious about your smile, the following segments from the "Hide It, Fix It, Flaunt It" episode of The Doctors might help. Drum-roll please !!!
