I didn’t think it was a big deal
In fact, I do it all the time
But my action shocked the woman so much
You would have thought I committed a crime
I just smiled and said hello
As I passed her while walking to my car
She stopped in her tracks and gave me a look
As if I had two heads or was, at least, a bit bizarre.
She asked if I knew her
I said “I don’t think so, I was just being nice”
She said she does not talk to strangers
She was annoyed and, in truth, cold as ice
I thought how sad it was
That this woman could be so afraid
of a tiny bit of human interaction
and a little attention paid
Many think that the world
Is too complicated for “being nice”
People neither have the time nor desire for it
If that’s progress, we’ve paid a terrible price.
I think it’s important to say hello
To people we pass each day
Try it; some enthusiastically will smile back
Others will turn their eyes away.
Whatever happens, you have made the effort
You’ve reached out and made that human connection
And maybe you’ve influenced someone else
To go in the same direction