non smiling brit girl again

Actually, there is no general "societal custom" that you absolutely MUST smile back at a complete stranger; it's completely different if it's someone you've met before or know.

As the majority of people's replies in this thread indicate, you are not owed a smile from someone you're unacquainted with, even as good manners. It simply isn't expected. It would be rude not to smile back at someone you'd met and were on good terms with, but to a stranger? No.

Customs like holding a door open or giving someone elderly your seat are completely different. They are there because having doors swing back in your face or standing up on public transport when you are old are an inconvenience.

Not having someone you don't know smile back at you is not an inconvenience in the slightest and insisting upon it is ridiculous. Whoever complains about it seriously needs to man up and realise what a control freak they sound like.

OP also needs to get that massive chip about British girls off his shoulder. Why smile at people in the first place if you hate them so much?

Youre allowed to do what you like. I went to latvia where they dont smile which i didnt have a problem with. Its just when the make the effort to look at you. Just dont look at someone in the eyes if youre not going to smile. Or at the least dont laugh about the fact that you gave a dirty look

Let's flip that situation.

There is no good reason not to return a smile, given it takes absolutely no effort whatsoever and is an ingrained social custom. To do so shows a deliberate rejection of the expectations of society and a disregard for everybody other than yourself. It is the epitome of rude.

I smile back at people. I attempt to at least appear vaguely cheerful. I open doors and hold them.

Obviously, as a British girl this sounds crazy, so maybe it's because I'm quarter-French. Oh wait, the French are all sulky.

What a conundrum.

There is no reason to go up to a person who hasnt even seen or made eye contact with you and demand for them to smile because you feel like it.
Got it yet?

Perhaps.

But there is also no reason not to smile at somebody who has smiled at you.

Not sure what you're not getting here. The rest of society seems to understand this just fine.

Perhaps.

But there is also no reason not to smile at somebody who has smiled at you.

Not sure what you're not getting here. The rest of society seems to understand this just fine.

Edit: Just google "british girls are" and let google give the suggestions in the address bar, it says top 3) Cold, 2) Easy 3) Stuck up

On train, miserable looking blonde girl goes down train aisle to exit. She looks straight at me as i smile and she does nothing back.
If youre going to stare at me then smile otherwise dont look at me.

I tutted and saw as she got off said something to her friend then smirked and looked at where i was sat.

Why does that happen here, girls have calculating minds.

[video="youtube;3v98CPXNiSk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3v98CPXNiSk[/video]

So when my granddad was in the hospital and I had 4 deadlines and a crippling hand injury, I should have just sucked it up and smiled at a random stranger because they smiled at me so they wouldn't feel offended?

Edit: Just google "british girls are" and let google give the suggestions in the address bar, it says top 3) Cold, 2) Easy 3) Stuck up

Non-smiling British girl?


I fail to see which part of this is surprising to you.

Pretty much, yes.