smiling at strangers
Thursday, July 14, 2011 by Shutter Sisters 
I don't think people smile enough anymore, myself included. In New York City, most people are too caught up in the hustle bustle of every day. We move through life without looking up, often not connecting with any of the other 8 million people who live here. Believe it or not, sometimes it can be a lonely place.
This is especially true underground on the subway where everyone has their own little routines and distractions--reading the newspaper, listening to music, swiping away on smart phones, kindles and iPads, or even sleeping. We have our commutes down to a science. We know exactly where to stand on the platform to be in the perfect spot when the doors slide open at our destination so as to not waste a single moment. And although we sit, stand and hover a mere inches from each other every day there is rarely any eye contact, and definitely not enough smiles.
So I decided to play my small part in trying to do something about it. I recently started leaving notes on the subway that simply say "smile at a stranger today." I've typed them, handwritten them and even had some little cards made. I've taped them to walls in subway stations and train cars and I often leave them on the seats where they will catch the most attention. Yesterday, a woman picked up one of the notes I left as she sat down across from me. She read it, looked up, and smiled. And today, these two people struck up a conversation after I left my notes on the seat next to them. I don't expect to change the world but I'll take what I can get, one smile at a time.
How about you? Have you sent any messages to the universe lately? Whether it's literally with notes or words, or creatively through your photographs, share with us today what you are saying to the world around you.
Images and words courtesy of iphoneographer Christy of Urban Muser. You can also find her at Mortal Muses every nine days or so.
Reader Comments (46)
I - too - try to send beauty out into the universe in a different..less direct way:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2011/7/13/beauty-within.html
However you go about it, the photos are great. And the notes are a great idea too.
Thanks!
This photo of mine came to mind. My cousin and his wife sharing a 30 anniversary moment at the Field Museum in Chicago. I love that activity all around them and they only have eyes for each other.
This shot always makes me smile: http://dorisrudddesigns.wordpress.com/2010/06/18/june-14-2010/
to answer some of the questions about how i take these photos--no, i do not ask permission, and it is within my rights in new york to photograph a stranger so long as the photo is not being used for any commercial purpose. my style of street (or subway in this instance) photography is to catch people in the moment, and asking permission usually takes away that raw emotion or scene that i am hoping to capture. it is something that takes practice and you gain confidence and comfort with it the more you do it. if you are interested in this style of photography, you should try it!! shutter sister stephanie roberts also answered this question in her post earlier this week if you want to take a look for her take on the matter.
thanks to everyone for your kind comments today, this is a wonderful community to be a part of, and i really appreciate it!
I dont smile a lot...not because I'm conitnually sad LOL I just....dont. Maybe I should...make it a concious effort...force it...and eventually it will come more easy to me.
thank you for that...push...
We live in a small suburban town where I often jog and it always amazes me that most of the people that I pass who are either jogging or walking have no intention of saying hi or making eye contact. I take it as a challenge to be even more enthusiastic with my greeting.
:)
We can never know how we might touch someone else's life in some small way that we're not even aware of. Simply by smiling at someone you might change their whole day.
Well, I think that generally speaking I use my photography to try to communicate that life is beautiful and that simple moments, things and details are where the good stuff is. However, there have been a couple of images in which I have actually tried to send a particular message:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertadleal/5763476053 The sky is the limit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertadleal/5772079596 Soar
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50901045@N02/5934847879/in/photostream
I started smiling at strangers way back in high school, i.e., the sixties :~) I grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles, so it was a tough sell, even at the beach, where I was lucky enough to live for forty years. Hardly anyone smiles back.
To give my fellow Angelinos credit, it's a stressful place and everyone is too preoccupied to even notice a stranger smiling at them. But then again, they probably just think I'm nuts :~/
But when I moved to Portland, Oregon in 2006, I was amazed to find that almost everyone smiles back!!! Not only do they smile back, but some even say Hello~~FIRST!!! What a concept :~)
So I, too, highly recommend Smiling at Strangers. You may brighten someone's day and cheer yourself up, too!
these subway shots are magnificent
I usually ask permission after I take shots.. to not spoil the spontaneity momentum.
must introduce this into life here;. no one smiles on the subway :(
great photos and great idea!
Smile!
Then my parents moved to Maine at the end of a road out in the country. Everyone waved at everyone else when approaching each other in their cars. Once again, it was a simple, kind gesture....a little hello without words. My husband liked the gesture so much that he started doing it here in our neighborhood in Connecticut. Still to this day I'll say, "Who were you waving at?" and he'll say, "I dunno, just being friendly!" :-))
So nicely done!
What a sweetheart you are!
Loving these photographs!
this reminds me a little of this...
http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2011/03/eeek-this-is-so-cool.html
i love things like this... things done in this sort of spirit or vein. good for you for spreading a little bit of joyful admonishment. you've inspired me to do something like it... not sure what, yet. but i will think of something!
Linda
http://www.dianeschuller.com/blog/2011/07/19/roys-story/
I'm so glad I felt like checking out SS and reading a few of the posts I missed while away.
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