“Have a good one!“ or the culture of smiling

Somehow, you automatically expect an annoyed expression, an eye roll, or some other non-verbal signal that she has to work like a dog just because of you. Only - it's followed by a smile, an assurance that everything is fine, and an empathetic remark that the lady herself is terribly angry with these darn cash registers. As a farewell, she wishes you not to get too wet and accompanies it with the familiar “hun”.

You are walking down the street, a postman approaches you from the opposite direction, you don't know him, but he smiles, nods, and wishes you a nice day. The next morning at the gym, while you're still sleepy, the receptionist greets you with a smile and calls you “sunshine” for a change.

Then you go to the post office, you have no idea how much it costs to send a package, and you ask the same question twice because you didn't catch it the first time. The man behind the counter patiently asks questions, suggests solutions, and jokes with you about last night's football match. The accountant behind the counter compliments you on your watch, starts a conversation with genuine enthusiasm, and confides that he is a collector of old clocks himself. In the evening, you go to a restaurant and feel a little out of place because the wait staff are attending to you as if they've been waiting for you for a week and are now thrilled that you've finally found the time.

I'm sure many of you already know where I'm going with this. Americans just smile more. Asking with a smile how you are today is an obvious part of the greeting. It may have become a formality, and no one really wants to know how you really are, but it's still a nice gesture – “Welcome and I'll give you my full attention now.” Likewise, you suspect that the staff at the restaurant pays more attention to you because the tip is a large part of their wages, but you'll still be pleased with that approach. It makes you feel like you're the most important customer in the place.

Some psychologists say that even if you force yourself to smile, it will lift your mood a little, even if you don't have a reason to be spontaneously happy. In America, you'd swear it actually works. If you're used to the rather distant behavior of Czech officials and service workers, it may make you feel uncomfortable at first. You just wanted to say hello and suddenly they’re asking you something? But you will quickly get used to this “smile culture”. Knowing that the basic default setting for communication is a friendly smile is simply pleasant.

You also quickly get used to the fact that you are always part of a collective. The house manager will come to greet you on the first day after you move in, the faculty will organize a newcomer's get-together, the gym will wonder that they didn't see you at the usual hour last time and ask if everything is OK. It's not intrusive, it's natural and pleasant. You've probably also come across expressions like “the American (or Hollywood) smile” and maybe you've chuckled sarcastically to yourself about it. But “smile culture” works. It's simply easier to communicate when you smile than when you frown. So I think it would be a good idea to take inspiration from that mindset here. What do you think?

In any case, „Have a good one, buddy!“

Martin Jirušek

Department of International Relations and European Studies, FSS MUNI

Currently a Fulbright Scholar at George Washington University, Washington, D.C.