They say laughter is the best medicine. They also say it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile, ergo everyone should smile as it saves energy, so why don’t people smile more?*.
I have begun training my brain to think critically and analytically since the Psychology module. This has found me instigating my surroundings more meaningfully, rather than getting lost in my own little comically fantasized world. What has sprung to my attention is how everyone appears so unhappy!
I know there are a lot of factors to consider, for a start; they could be heading to a job they are not enjoying, but have to continue as they need the wages; or they could be in a family crisis and have a lot on their mind at this time. They could even be feeling a little groggy from the flu or maybe nursing a hangover from a hard weekend on the alcohol. So much to consider; but what surprises me is I have very rarely seen anyone smiling, let alone laughing in public, in six months which can’t just be coincidence? What’s worse are people look at me like I’m an alien when I walk around with a huge grin on my face for, what appears to them as, no apparent reason?
My first observation was in the superstores. What I consider an adventure by challenging myself to find new ingredients and foods, and minimise my total bill at the check-out; others consider as a chore. They appear to have the life sucked from them upon entering the building, moving around as though sentenced to prison and can’t leave until they have done their time being…collecting all the objects they were banished into here for.
Couples would argue on what they were purchasing and what he or she shouldn’t have purchased. While another lady gave a dejected frown as she carefully examined a piece of steak. She then replaced it and began removing and examining a further eight pieces, until eventually replacing them all and taking the first one she had been looking at. Meanwhile a queue of even unhappier people stood waiting for this rather choosey individual. Other people could be heard complaining about the price of food and how it was never easy to find what you wanted; even though every superstore has a huge sign indicating what is down each aisle! And there are countless members of staff wandering the aisles (possibly trying to avoid having to work?) who are likely to have any idea. **
The only smiles that could be found were at the check-out tills and even these were not real smiles. They were forced smiles which were probably inked into their contracts as they reluctantly accepted employment. These people don’t honestly love their jobs, you can tell from the way they man-handle the groceries. Although they have to be reasonably careful, otherwise they will get a customer yelling at them for pushing the eggs down the slide too hard and ‘if any were broken they wanted them replaced!’ This would lead to more delays and more unhappy people waiting in the queue at the till. After replacing the barely chipped eggs did the customer then turn their attention to how the cashier was packing their bags***, bread will be squished and more words of disgust would be uttered.
I don’t envy those poor cashiers when they happen upon these contentious beings. As if their lives are not bad enough, that they have to sit at a till all day, forcing smiles and carefully handling groceries, but they then have to put up with abuse from people who clearly have far less important issues to be moaning about.
My second observations were during my idle strolls down the High Street. I have taken to smiling constantly and greeting everyone with a “Morning” or “Afternoon” as I pass, which I find highly amusing, since it causes all sorts of disarray. Some almost stop in their tracks, as if what they had heard was a whisper from nowhere, and they were checking on what they thought they had heard before continuing. Others would just look at me in disgust, but occasionally you would get a reply, although mumbled from under a scarf or coat, but at least they made an effort.
My third observation is probably my favourite…Public transport! People appear to have invented a small invisible bubble when travelling on public transport. Unless they have boarded the bus with a person, they will not interact between anyone, even when their bubble space has been invaded by a random person looking for a free seat. Most people turn their heads away as if to try and make themselves altogether invisible and therefore not having to communicate with the person sitting inches away from them. Others will grimace as the person sits next to them, making them feel awful about their decision to sit in the only available seat. Some will even go as far as placing their bag on the seat to stop anyone sitting! Observing people on public transport is just scraping the surface though, as they will appear to go out of their way to complain about late buses/trains and the poor service. They could just accept there have been delays and make the driver feel a bit better about this issue, he is highly aware of, by greeting him with a smile.
I will always continue smiling at everything (So the dimples in my cheeks are getting deeper, and crows feet are stomping the edge of my eyes) but I want to conserve energy and smiling is the way to do it apparently, plus it just makes me feel good!
Give it a try if you don’t believe me?
*I should say at this point I am a happy go lucky and very easy going person myself. I find even the most obnoxious people to be not too bad. I might just be polite? But I like to give everyone a fair chance, as sometimes they don’t mean to be the way they are, it has just become a habit.
**Although this could be argued since every time I have asked they looked like scared rabbits and point me in the general direction…thanks guys! I have now learned to take note of their age as you will get a better response from the older members who will almost take you by the hand and stand you directly in front of the item you had asked for.
***Don’t be so damn lazy and pack them yourself, that way you can only blame yourself. Although I remember reading ‘We are now living in a blame culture’ that is why no-one takes responsibility for their actions and are quick to point the finger at anyone but themselves, that and a quick profit when you sue someone – quite worrying really!?
I have begun training my brain to think critically and analytically since the Psychology module. This has found me instigating my surroundings more meaningfully, rather than getting lost in my own little comically fantasized world. What has sprung to my attention is how everyone appears so unhappy!
I know there are a lot of factors to consider, for a start; they could be heading to a job they are not enjoying, but have to continue as they need the wages; or they could be in a family crisis and have a lot on their mind at this time. They could even be feeling a little groggy from the flu or maybe nursing a hangover from a hard weekend on the alcohol. So much to consider; but what surprises me is I have very rarely seen anyone smiling, let alone laughing in public, in six months which can’t just be coincidence? What’s worse are people look at me like I’m an alien when I walk around with a huge grin on my face for, what appears to them as, no apparent reason?
My first observation was in the superstores. What I consider an adventure by challenging myself to find new ingredients and foods, and minimise my total bill at the check-out; others consider as a chore. They appear to have the life sucked from them upon entering the building, moving around as though sentenced to prison and can’t leave until they have done their time being…collecting all the objects they were banished into here for.
Couples would argue on what they were purchasing and what he or she shouldn’t have purchased. While another lady gave a dejected frown as she carefully examined a piece of steak. She then replaced it and began removing and examining a further eight pieces, until eventually replacing them all and taking the first one she had been looking at. Meanwhile a queue of even unhappier people stood waiting for this rather choosey individual. Other people could be heard complaining about the price of food and how it was never easy to find what you wanted; even though every superstore has a huge sign indicating what is down each aisle! And there are countless members of staff wandering the aisles (possibly trying to avoid having to work?) who are likely to have any idea. **
The only smiles that could be found were at the check-out tills and even these were not real smiles. They were forced smiles which were probably inked into their contracts as they reluctantly accepted employment. These people don’t honestly love their jobs, you can tell from the way they man-handle the groceries. Although they have to be reasonably careful, otherwise they will get a customer yelling at them for pushing the eggs down the slide too hard and ‘if any were broken they wanted them replaced!’ This would lead to more delays and more unhappy people waiting in the queue at the till. After replacing the barely chipped eggs did the customer then turn their attention to how the cashier was packing their bags***, bread will be squished and more words of disgust would be uttered.
I don’t envy those poor cashiers when they happen upon these contentious beings. As if their lives are not bad enough, that they have to sit at a till all day, forcing smiles and carefully handling groceries, but they then have to put up with abuse from people who clearly have far less important issues to be moaning about.
My second observations were during my idle strolls down the High Street. I have taken to smiling constantly and greeting everyone with a “Morning” or “Afternoon” as I pass, which I find highly amusing, since it causes all sorts of disarray. Some almost stop in their tracks, as if what they had heard was a whisper from nowhere, and they were checking on what they thought they had heard before continuing. Others would just look at me in disgust, but occasionally you would get a reply, although mumbled from under a scarf or coat, but at least they made an effort.
My third observation is probably my favourite…Public transport! People appear to have invented a small invisible bubble when travelling on public transport. Unless they have boarded the bus with a person, they will not interact between anyone, even when their bubble space has been invaded by a random person looking for a free seat. Most people turn their heads away as if to try and make themselves altogether invisible and therefore not having to communicate with the person sitting inches away from them. Others will grimace as the person sits next to them, making them feel awful about their decision to sit in the only available seat. Some will even go as far as placing their bag on the seat to stop anyone sitting! Observing people on public transport is just scraping the surface though, as they will appear to go out of their way to complain about late buses/trains and the poor service. They could just accept there have been delays and make the driver feel a bit better about this issue, he is highly aware of, by greeting him with a smile.
I will always continue smiling at everything (So the dimples in my cheeks are getting deeper, and crows feet are stomping the edge of my eyes) but I want to conserve energy and smiling is the way to do it apparently, plus it just makes me feel good!
Give it a try if you don’t believe me?
*I should say at this point I am a happy go lucky and very easy going person myself. I find even the most obnoxious people to be not too bad. I might just be polite? But I like to give everyone a fair chance, as sometimes they don’t mean to be the way they are, it has just become a habit.
**Although this could be argued since every time I have asked they looked like scared rabbits and point me in the general direction…thanks guys! I have now learned to take note of their age as you will get a better response from the older members who will almost take you by the hand and stand you directly in front of the item you had asked for.
***Don’t be so damn lazy and pack them yourself, that way you can only blame yourself. Although I remember reading ‘We are now living in a blame culture’ that is why no-one takes responsibility for their actions and are quick to point the finger at anyone but themselves, that and a quick profit when you sue someone – quite worrying really!?
