Comments on: Without a wink or a smile http://pastaqueen.com/blog/2009/04/without-a-wink-or-a-smile/ You'll laugh you ass off. (I did.) Tue, 15 May 2012 03:15:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Amy http://pastaqueen.com/blog/2009/04/without-a-wink-or-a-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-22788 Amy Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:40:05 +0000 http://pastaqueen.com/blog/?p=1084#comment-22788 People often smile gratefully and in a friendly way to me -- and I realize I've been smiling at them! (They're returning my smile -- and it makes me realize I'm smiling!) People often smile gratefully and in a friendly way to me — and I realize I’ve been smiling at them! (They’re returning my smile — and it makes me realize I’m smiling!)

]]> By: Ang http://pastaqueen.com/blog/2009/04/without-a-wink-or-a-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-22787 Ang Tue, 12 May 2009 12:11:15 +0000 http://pastaqueen.com/blog/?p=1084#comment-22787 Smiling is good. You wind up with happy lines on your face when you get old, rather than the frowning down-turned ones. This world is tough enough without having smiling people discouraged from smiling. Smiling is good. You wind up with happy lines on your face when you get old, rather than the frowning down-turned ones. This world is tough enough without having smiling people discouraged from smiling.

]]> By: lauren http://pastaqueen.com/blog/2009/04/without-a-wink-or-a-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-22786 lauren Wed, 06 May 2009 06:07:11 +0000 http://pastaqueen.com/blog/?p=1084#comment-22786 you should come to Korea, when you smile all the time, it means that the mood in the room will be beter and it means you are thinking of others feelings. you should come to Korea, when you smile all the time, it means that the mood in the room will be beter and it means you are thinking of others feelings.

]]> By: MB http://pastaqueen.com/blog/2009/04/without-a-wink-or-a-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-22785 MB Mon, 04 May 2009 20:32:41 +0000 http://pastaqueen.com/blog/?p=1084#comment-22785 You have a beautiful smile ... don't let the grouchy Europeans take it away. You have a beautiful smile … don’t let the grouchy Europeans take it away.

]]> By: Doji http://pastaqueen.com/blog/2009/04/without-a-wink-or-a-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-22784 Doji Mon, 04 May 2009 11:58:25 +0000 http://pastaqueen.com/blog/?p=1084#comment-22784 -- I'm the opposite -- I generally DON'T smile, and people assume that I'm either crabby or not feeling well, which generally is not the case. Not sure why this is, except that I had really bad teeth for the 1st 25 years of my life, so I didn't want people looking at them. They are now quite lovely, but it's not my general habit to smile. – I’m the opposite — I generally DON’T smile, and people assume that I’m either crabby or not feeling well, which generally is not the case. Not sure why this is, except that I had really bad teeth for the 1st 25 years of my life, so I didn’t want people looking at them. They are now quite lovely, but it’s not my general habit to smile.

]]> By: Amy http://pastaqueen.com/blog/2009/04/without-a-wink-or-a-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-22783 Amy Fri, 01 May 2009 14:44:33 +0000 http://pastaqueen.com/blog/?p=1084#comment-22783 I don't smile much so maybe that's why I don't remember an issue in Europe. But I didn't read the guidebooks about that... I'm just crabby. I did have my camera pick-pocketed on the Tube (I felt it and caught the guy unzipping it out of the case, demanded it back loudly, and made enough commotion that he handed it to me and jumped off as the doors closed on him) and had a guy in Rome yell at us about how awful Bush was, but then I kind of agreed with him about that. I don’t smile much so maybe that’s why I don’t remember an issue in Europe. But I didn’t read the guidebooks about that… I’m just crabby.

I did have my camera pick-pocketed on the Tube (I felt it and caught the guy unzipping it out of the case, demanded it back loudly, and made enough commotion that he handed it to me and jumped off as the doors closed on him) and had a guy in Rome yell at us about how awful Bush was, but then I kind of agreed with him about that.

]]> By: Jamie http://pastaqueen.com/blog/2009/04/without-a-wink-or-a-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-22782 Jamie Fri, 01 May 2009 14:36:39 +0000 http://pastaqueen.com/blog/?p=1084#comment-22782 I have this same problem. I smile constantly and have noticed that it really does seem to confuse some people. I hope you enjoy your trip! I have this same problem. I smile constantly and have noticed that it really does seem to confuse some people. I hope you enjoy your trip!

]]> By: BrightAngel http://pastaqueen.com/blog/2009/04/without-a-wink-or-a-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-22781 BrightAngel Fri, 01 May 2009 10:56:19 +0000 http://pastaqueen.com/blog/?p=1084#comment-22781 Smiling is a GOOD thing. There is research indicating just the act of smiling activates positive vibes in your brain. PLUS, As I am now 64, my skin is aging and wrinkles are deepening. I'm not interested in having a plastic surgery look. Most of the wrinkles on my face are "smile wrinkles", which are characteristic of a pleasant and happy person. Look around you at the faces of people aged 60 and above, Do you see the difference between the wrinkles of those who've smiled their way through life, and those who have lived with a discontented droop or frown? Which would YOU rather be someday? Smiling is a GOOD thing.

There is research indicating just the act of smiling activates positive vibes in your brain.

PLUS,

As I am now 64, my skin is aging and wrinkles are deepening.

I’m not interested in having a plastic surgery look.

Most of the wrinkles on my face are “smile wrinkles”,

which are characteristic of a pleasant and happy person.

Look around you at the faces of people aged 60 and above,

Do you see the difference

between the wrinkles of those who’ve smiled their way through life,

and those who have lived with a discontented droop or frown?

Which would YOU rather be someday?

]]> By: Femke http://pastaqueen.com/blog/2009/04/without-a-wink-or-a-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-22780 Femke Fri, 01 May 2009 09:40:33 +0000 http://pastaqueen.com/blog/?p=1084#comment-22780 Hey there, Maybe a late reply, but I just wanted to say that I do not really see the difference (when it comes to smiling) between Eureopeans and Americans. I am from the Netherlands and I smile a lot. I have been to Paris many times and I don't recall anyone replying in an unwanted way to me or anyone smiling. French men are very attractive by the way, at least I think so... They will flirt with you no matter what, but I do not find them as annoying as Spanish men (in the big cities in Spain). And ofcourse you should be aware of pickpockets, but that's the same in every big city anywhere. Hey there,

Maybe a late reply, but I just wanted to say that I do not really see the difference (when it comes to smiling) between Eureopeans and Americans. I am from the Netherlands and I smile a lot. I have been to Paris many times and I don’t recall anyone replying in an unwanted way to me or anyone smiling. French men are very attractive by the way, at least I think so… They will flirt with you no matter what, but I do not find them as annoying as Spanish men (in the big cities in Spain). And ofcourse you should be aware of pickpockets, but that’s the same in every big city anywhere.

]]> By: Olivia http://pastaqueen.com/blog/2009/04/without-a-wink-or-a-smile/comment-page-1/#comment-22779 Olivia Fri, 01 May 2009 09:14:33 +0000 http://pastaqueen.com/blog/?p=1084#comment-22779 You may also want to purchase a pair of dark sunglasses. It may not happen as much in France, but in Spain eye contact while walking down the street was enough for a cat call. And I know you don't want to be seen as rude, but Europeans can spot a tourist a mile away and there are some who will try to take advantage of that. In Athens, when a 50-something man said hi and I said hi back, he then asked me if I wanted "company" while I travelled and followed me for several blocks. In Amsterdam I was approached and when I told the guy to leave me alone, he grabbed my arm (I yelled at him to let go, garnering the attention of people on the street. He left quickly). In Bern, Swizterland I was followed for an hour in the train station while I was waiting for a friend. Of course, I met LOTS of nice people, but one does need to be cautious of pick-pockets and questionable characters. Also beware of gypsies wanting to read your fortune. You may also want to purchase a pair of dark sunglasses. It may not happen as much in France, but in Spain eye contact while walking down the street was enough for a cat call.

And I know you don’t want to be seen as rude, but Europeans can spot a tourist a mile away and there are some who will try to take advantage of that. In Athens, when a 50-something man said hi and I said hi back, he then asked me if I wanted “company” while I travelled and followed me for several blocks. In Amsterdam I was approached and when I told the guy to leave me alone, he grabbed my arm (I yelled at him to let go, garnering the attention of people on the street. He left quickly). In Bern, Swizterland I was followed for an hour in the train station while I was waiting for a friend.

Of course, I met LOTS of nice people, but one does need to be cautious of pick-pockets and questionable characters. Also beware of gypsies wanting to read your fortune.

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