Your Egypt

[RoughShod]

A smile certainly goes a long way when given by a woman. It hides her fears and uncertainties when flashed at a man. It allows her to stop worrying for a brief flash of time and allow nature to work for her.

A smile is such a powerfull thing to the right recipient of it. What is a right recipient?. Well, when you turning into a street and your eyes meet with the opposite sex getting to the road you leaving, and she smiles at you.

Or you hectically trying to get into a traffic lane and you take a gap that is a bit risky and the one you put into danger taking it , just smiles.

Or you made a big scene with someone in the family the night before, and in the morning all is forgotten, and you get a genuine smile.

A smile that is shown in the eyes is such a precious thing, because it reaffirms ones connection to humanity

[Harrison]

Well Roughshod that would be asking for trouble here in Egypt.
If I smiled at a man here, that would be interpreted as an invitation. A woman isn't even supposed to make eye contact far less smile.

It has been a hard lesson to learn as I say 'good morning' and smile at everyone I meet. I firmly believe that if you think happy you can BE happy.

Another thing I have noticed is that I am the only one in a shop who says please and thank you. I get some odd looks but am not going to change being polite.

[moll]

I'd find that hard too, Harrison......not smiling at people :cry:

I suppose it's different when you're actually living there and you've got a reputation to keep but when I'm in Egypt I'm always so happy just to be there, I smile like an idiot :geek:

Sometimes in Luxor I remember seeing busloads of people all looking as grumpy and miserable as if they were going to the dentist instead of enjoying a holiday (quite often seemed to be Japanese, NO RACISM INTENDED)

Anyway Roughshod.......I agree with you, a smile costs nothing and might just cheer somebody up.