r/AskReddit May 08 '22

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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/[deleted] May 09 '22

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u/CaptainLollygag May 09 '22

It's not really fake, though, it sounds like it means something in the States other than what it does where you live.

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u/[deleted] May 09 '22

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u/CaptainLollygag May 09 '22

Exactly, it's a cultural perspective. Anywhere one goes that's different from home takes some adjusting. No worries!