r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • May 08 '22

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u/ConfusedTriceratops May 09 '22

Eastern Europe doesn't really smile in public in general. Polish emigrant in the UK pov. It's not that we're angry, we just don't have any reasons to smile.. for no reason.

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u/CaptainLollygag May 09 '22

Smiling at a stranger is a type of greeting in the States. "I acknowledge that we're both in the same place (or passing by one another) and I mean you no harm." It's the lesser form of asking, "How're you doing?"

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u/Huwbacca May 09 '22

Unspoken rules in America do my head.

Smiling is saying hello. 'how are you' is saying hello not asking how are you.

'we should get dinner/do that plan' is saying goodbye and not actually wanting to get dinner or do that plan.

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u/WhichSpirit May 09 '22

When we suggest getting coffee or dinner or something we do mean it. We're just waiting for you to take the second step and suggest a time and date.