“A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose” Tom Wilson
I came across a sour faced beggar with a hand made sign that read: “Smile, everything will seem better”.
I can’t quite explain why but that sign really pissed me off. So much so that an Ally McBeal fantasy sequence played out in my head, complete with me kicking the sign into oncoming traffic.
Honestly though, I can see why he’d think I could use a smile. We white collar workers can be quite stressed and serious at times. And faking a smile is actually a scientifically proven way to improve your mood.
But how awful would it be if I parroted his own message back at him? How offensive would I be?
Why hello street beggar. Why don’t you just smile? I’m sure everything will seem better.
Lol.
If I really do dislike his sign so much, perhaps I think I could do better?
Something like: “Just cry, you’ll feel better” or maybe “Shit could still get worse.”
Perhaps I’ll come up with a couple catchy phrases and do up some little, ceramic beggars signs, with attached coin cups, to sell on Etsy? How kitschy! For only $9.99 you too can have one at your desk.
Is it beggar cultural appropriation? Who knows.
Insensitive? Likely.
In the end, I relented and gave him a smile.
It’s actually all he ever asked for.