This week, I decided that I am going to put forth a conscious effort to make zero attempts to offer a simple greeting or smile while facing those who NEVER return the gesture. So far, I have failed miserably. I am 100% certain that it requires more effort to be impolite to someone than to just shoot them a smile. Why is it that so many people I encounter act like it would actually KILL them to be kind?
Maybe you are thinking “they just don’t like you.” That may very well be the case. But considering that they’ve never said hello to me, how have they already passed judgment? We are all guilty of it; we judge a book by its cover, and form opinions on both people and things without knowing anything first hand. But it doesn’t make it RIGHT.
First impressions prove me wrong time and time again. The nicest person can be the most deceiving, but the most intimidating person can very well be the most genuine. It is not our right to define a person. The girl who may be the cruelest to some may be the most loving person to another.
I don’t think anyone should fight anyone else’s battles, and I don’t base my opinion on people or things off of what others say – I’m my own person and have my own feelings, I will make up my own mind.
One time in high school, I passed a classmate who was a friend-turned-enemy in the hall. Out of habit, since we were friends probably days before, I shot her a HUGE smile and waved at her. The look on her face was PRICELESS. It infuriated her more than any kind word ever could have. And what could she say about that? “That bitch SMILED at me, who does she think she is?”
Actually, I guarantee that she said that… but that’s for another time.