If a stranger smiled at you on the street, what would you do? Return the smile . . . or punch that smirk right off their face?
A poll for National Smile Month found the average person smiles at a stranger five times a week. And being on the receiving end of a random smile lifts our spirits for an average of 13 minutes. But it's not true for everyone.
One in six people said they rarely or never return a smile from a stranger, often because they're skeptical about the person's motives. (Like, "Is this jerk with the grin about to STAB me?")
Other reasons for not returning a smile include: You're afraid it'll be weird . . . you're in a rush . . . you're too embarrassed . . . and you just weren't paying attention, so the moment passed.
But whether it's a stranger or a friend, seeing someone else smile made the list of the top things that can immediately make YOU smile. Here are the Top 10 . . .
1. Being on vacation.
2. Waking up to a sunny day.
3. Receiving a kind gesture.
4. Someone else smiling at you.
5. Hearing good news about a loved one.
6. Making someone else laugh or grin.
7. Getting a surprise gift.
8. Winning money.
9. Receiving a thank you.
10. Spending time outside in the sun.
A few more that just missed the Top 10: Running into an old friend . . . looking at old photographs . . . watching funny videos online . . . hearing a baby laugh . . . finding money in your pocket . . . and hearing a song that you really love.
(Mirror)