Why can't people smile back at you?

Question

Why do some people as you walk by them, look away, as you smile at them? I know they see me smile at them...what is up with that?

I'm talking about people in the work place!

Answer 1

because people are rude and not as friendly as they use to be.i think people just have a trust issue and if they dont know u they wont smile back at you. i just think people are to busy on their cell phones i pods or m3 players to smile back.

Answer 2

Are you talking about people that you know or recognize or just random people that you see on the street?

If you are referring to doing the smiling in a big city, you are most likely to get a brush off. It can be perceived as slightly threatening in crowds. It is a way to protect one's self from strangers.

In small towns, people are more likely to smile back. The environment is slower paced, gentler and less threatening to the individual.

Answer 3

I feel weird and stupid looking when I smile and I rather not do it it makes me feel uncomfortable. I really hate it when I'm walking and a stranger will say to me smile it's not that bad, and I think ok the reason i'm not smiling isn't beceause I'm sad or angry I just don't like walking around with a smile plastered on my face it seems so unnatural

Answer 4

People seem to have an arrogant attitude and want to appear better than you or snobby. I have noticed that a lot of women are like this and I have had some smile at me with that fake smile that you know isn't real. When they do this to me, I stare at them like they are stupid. But, I have also smiled at someone and they acted like I didn't even exist.

Answer 5

maybe they dont want to cross a boundary with you. sometimes when the friendly line has been crosses it can lead to unprofessionalism. maybe they had experience with this. maybe they also dont want to talk. they need to work.

also maybe they need glasses. i take off my glasses and cant see more than 2 feet in front of me. i do this when im reading. im sure tons of people smile at me, but i cant see them lol.

dont take it personally. i like when people smile too. but youd be surprise how many people see it as an invitation. it could be seen as a sexual invitation. it could be seen as an invitation to talk for too long. it could be seen as an invitation to harass the other person for money time or favors. so maybe they had experience with this.

also, maybe they smiled a lot once and learned their lesson by having someone take advantage of it. or even they learned because they were young and smiley like you and realized how things worked. one day you might be the one who is not smiling. sad but true.

Answer 6

When people do not return your gesture of smiling it is usually based on fear. They are afraid to be friendly. They may be afraid you might want something from them (even a smile is too much for some people). Strange as that seems.

Answer 7

Depends on the location. If you're living in a small town than you would get a positive response. While big cities like NY, Chicago, or LA people are generally very rude and can care less about what other people are doing. I guess again, its all about the lifestyle. Try a slow-pace environment, you'll love it...

Answer 8

hi,
co-workers not smiling back... could be they are shy, ashamed of their smile, think if they smile a conversation may ensue, too busy for a smile, intimidated or jealous of you...who can say.
but i can tell you, when i smile at older people, they "almost" all smile back, I may have been their only contact that day. so save your smiles for those that appreciate it and may return one back to you..like this :)

Answer 9

People think you're crazy if you go around randomly smiling at people you don't know. Think about it: nobody else does that but you and some other asylum escapees.

Answer 10

Bad teeth, or they are jealous, or retarded.