Smiles & Silences

 "A smile is the universal welcome" - Max Eastman

When you check- in into a hotel, the Front desk associate gives you a warm smile & welcomes you. But, do you really think that smile comes from her heart. A majority of the chances stand against it. Its just a part of her job to smile at every guest, although she may have just broken-up with her boyfriend of 3 years & is miserable in her heart.

Similarly, when you ask your friend, if you can borrow their favorite dress, she may smile and hand it over to you, even though she hates sharing it with anybody.

When a husband tells his wife, that he won't be home for the anniversary celebrations as he has to go out of town for an important business deal, she smiles and bids him adieu, even though she wishes he dint have to go.

All the above instances show us that how a person's smile may not really be the true depiction of what is actually going on in their minds & hearts. People smile as a part of respect or duty or obligation, to keep the other person happy.

If a husband & wife are having an argument, the wife may remain silent instead of aggravating the issue, but it doesn't mean she agrees to her husband.

It is often the subordinate who remains silent, while the Boss justifies himself right. Doesn't mean that the subordinate considers himself wrong.

If a guest blames the Steward at a restaurant for no parking space around the outlet, the Server can choose silence, as that's an argument he surely won't win.

A silence is often an option a person chooses when he doesn't wish to openly express his real views regarding Right/Wrong. A silence gives the speaker an opportunity to presume that the listener agrees to him. It therefore reduces conflict & cuts down on the tension and negative environment.

Smiles & Silences may not necessarily mean what the observer perceives of them. However, they are often the easy & polite way out. It is better to smile & pretend to agree rather than breaking a heart with your words.

However, one should not resort to Smiles & Silences at all instances of conflicts & discussions & demands. It is important to not be a "Push-over", to not let people walk all over you all the time. Beacuse then there are chances that you may loose your real voice!!!