Compliment of the day

M: So did you two spend a nice day out in the sunshine since I saw you this morning? (Cue friendly smile.)

Crazy English lady: Oh, yes dear. We took the boat to Vevey and walking along the water. And oh, it was just so lovely.

M: Mmm, that sounds just wonderful. (Smile again.)

C.E.L.: You know, you just have the kindest smile. And the friendliest face. Such a friendly face. (Turning to her husband) Dear, doesn't she just have the friendliest, nicest face??

Tortured husband: Oh yes, yes. Definitely yes.

Okay, now I'm disregarding the fact that this woman is completely nuts-O, taking her compliment, and placing it in my back pocket--saving her kind words for one of those days when the asshole comes along and tries to ruin my mood. And granted, I know my friendly face can get me into trouble because I apparently smile "too much" and invite unwarranted "hello's" from men I want nothing to do with, but it's a part of who I am that is hard to abandon despite the fact that I clearly stick out as a foreigner every time I make eye contact with a person walking by. It's one of those west coast American qualities I'm just too proud to give up.

So to the crazy woman who made me genuinely happy today, thank you. I may not thoroughly enjoy waiting on you, but you and your husband are entertaining enough to put a smile on my face, which I am grateful for. And since I believe that a simple smile can really make someone's day a little bit better, whether they realize it or not, remember to smile at an unexpecting someone today. If they look at you like you're naked, unhinged, or deranged, well then, their loss I say.