I consider myself a happy, optimistic person. One thing that has always come easy to me is a smile for a stranger. (I'll even strike up conversation. Shocking, right!?) I can clearly remember my mom teaching me it was always polite to smile when you meet someone's eye. 

As someone who smiles, I find I get more puzzled looks than returned smiles, especially walking around NYC. I just wish we could all smile and be nice to each other... why not!? A smile is such an easy way to brighten someone's day, I promise it doesn't hurt.