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By Judy Ramsook
Feb. 22, 2005 When is a courteous smile just that and nothing more? These days this display of good manners can be misinterpreted for much more it seems as a recent public experience has brought it to my attention. With laws that can now protect one from stalkers and sexual harassment a friend told me of an incident that she did not quite expect upon a recent trip to a retail outlet. While there, just going about her business of gathering items that she needed her eyes met that of a male fellow shopper with whom she exchanged a simple smile. But it did not end with what she thought was a one time encounter, for a few aisles down, she inadvertently encountered the same person again, again smiling, for she was just being courteous, not flirtatious. But at the end of her shopping experience, when she stepped up to the cashier to pay for her goods, there was the young man once more, only he was at a different check out lane. From time to time though, she sensed that someone was watching her, and on turning in his direction, there he was again looking at her. Still thinking nothing of it, she left the establishment only to see when she went outside to her car that this individual was also there close to his own vehicle as if waiting for some type of signal from her. At this point, the female subject became a little apprehensive and decided that she would not smile with him if she indeed did have another eye to eye contact with him, especially since now they were both outside the store. But on seeing that she was not interested, he left. Relieved to see the male subject leave, she also felt better about having survived the experience without any type of unfavourable incident. And all of this came about because of a simple gesture of courtesy on her part. A smile that had obviously been misinterpreted for something more. ------------ About the author Judy Ramsook: My first book titled: "Karen's Adventure" which is about two young girls who go in search of their missing parents, is now available. I was born and raised in Trinidad & Tobago, then in the mid eighties I came to the US where I attended San Antonio College and The University Of Texas At San Antonio. Visit: http://www.authorsden.com/judyramsook www.publishedauthors.net/g2rdy Email: j2rdy@hotmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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