Sometimes there are moments, that for some reason stick out in your mind, even though they are fleeting.
Sitting at a stop light, in the backseat, my attention was brought to two attractive girls at the crosswalk, looking like they were heading to or coming from a bar. Looking back and forth from my friend who pointed them out and back to them, I noticed they saw us looking.
My first instinct was a kind of embarassment, though it didn’t really show, I simply averted my eyes slightly and tried to play it off. As the light turned green, and the car began to move, I made eye contact again and they smiled and waved. So I smiled and waved back.
Moments like that might stick out as a missed opportunity, but that simple gesture gave me a mood boost, even though I wasn’t in a bad mood, they managed to make my good mood better by reminding me that it’s okay to make contact with another stranger once in a while.
Sometimes the city’s weird rules play me out like I’m on autopilot, avoiding eye contact and trying not to smile, it really can feel like an urban jungle, where showing one’s teeth is a sign of aggression.
So thanks to the ladies who reminded me the value of a simple smile and wave.
Originally published at
Stressmintery. You can comment here or
there.