As a young girl, I frequently bopped around our house to various oldies. Well, not really oldies, but they were oldies to me. When I wasn’t rocking out to “Uptown Girl” or “Lights” I would dance and sing “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.” I would plaster a big smile on my face, point my index fingers into the place I always wanted dimples and toss my head from side-to-side to flip around my Shirley Temple curls. The curls may have been the result of hot rollers and a patient mother. I may not have understood the references to Beau Brummelly or Saville Row. But at an early age I learned two things. 1) I was a natural-born performer and 2) a smile goes a long way.

Yes, sometimes a smile can help secure something for cheap or free. As a young woman who isn’t hard on the eyes I will admit to using my smile and tossing my, still sometimes Shirley Temple, hair for a free drink. Other times a smile, a kind word or a simple “how are you” to the right person has gotten me a free coffee or pastry.
Most recently, I went to a long-standing Italian pasta shop in my neighborhood. While buying a bag of gnocchi, I asked the older woman working the counter how to properly cook the potato dumplings. While giving me instructions, she tossed in a extra bag of plain pasta, free of charge. I’d like to credit that exchange to my smile and general interest. But it could’ve been a result of an Italian woman looking at girl who seemed like a novice in the kitchen, clearly of Irish heritage, and bound to mess up something as simple as boiling water and tossing in gnocchi. She wanted to make sure I had a back up plan.
I do feel it’s important to state that I did successful cook the gnocchi with Gorgonzola sauce I made from scratch.
Other than getting the occasional freebie, a smile can bring joy to a friend, family member or especially a stranger. As someone who has worked in the food services industry, I can tell you there were mornings that a smile and a simple “how are you doing today?” from a customer actually brought a tear to my eye.
Today, I try to always make eye contact and smile at folks who look like they might need a pick-me-up. Whether it be the homeless man who occupies the corner near my train, a waitress taking my dinner order, the TSA agent checking my ticket at security or the bus driver when I ride the Greyhound, everyone can use a smile.
It feels great for them and it’s free for you!
What has your smile done for you or others recently?
LINK LOVE: The Stop Sitting Around on Your Ass and Do Something Edition [inspired by the fact I’ve started running again]
- The Field Guide: Curiosity (advice to company interns that’s applicable to most Millennials.)
- L Bee & The Money Tree: How Millennials Can Manage Expectations (Sometimes you fail, it’s a good lesson.)
- Blonde on a Budget: The Only Motivational Blog Post I’ll Ever Write (This is several months old, but I recently I got back into exercise and it reminded me of this gem of a post). — She also won a Plutus Award for Best Canadian PF Blog.
- LearnVest: Sit-It-Out Syndrome: Why Women Are Afraid to Invest Their Hard-Earned Cash
PLUTUS AWARDS UPDATE: I HAVE A BIG SMILE
Like any good nominee, I had my smile, nod, I’m glad he/she won face all ready to go. Granted, I was sitting at my computer in NYC wearing my sweatpants while the awards were happening in St. Louis, so only I would get to see my smile and nod in my full-wall mirror (seriously, I have a wall in my living that is a mirror). I was monitoring Twitter for news and relying on other PF bloggers to tweet updates to me. The first category I was nominated in, Best New Personal Finance Blog, went to the incomparable Empowered Dollar!
I looked in the mirror and did my nod and smile.
Minutes later I saw the tweet come through from Luke Landes of Consumerism Commentary.
#Plutusawards13 for Best PF Blog for Young Adults goes to: Broke Millenial!
— Luke Landes (@flexo) October 18, 2013
I jumped up from my chair and started doing my “I’m excited dance” around my apartment. Mostly, I wished I could’ve been there to jump up and down with some other bloggers (I’m thinking Red Debted might have joined in with me)!
I started this blog back in January and I’m continue to be beyond thrilled with all the positive responses to my writing, story-telling and attempt at educating my peers.
Thank you to everyone who nominated me and to those currently at FinCon, I’ll be seeing you there next year!
Great reminder here! It’s so easy to get caught up in the little struggles and forget how many things there are to be thankful for, and to smile about. Congrats on the win, too!
Thanks, Jacob!
Smiling not only can improve your mood, but really just does wonders for the people around you. I try not to forget!
CONGRATS ERIN!!! SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!! WOOHOO!!!!! And yes, a smile does really go a long way. I have read stories where a smile can save somebody from suicide. It’s amazing what people can do. 🙂
Thank you, Michelle (and thanks for voting!)
I just have a sense that you’re a “smiler” in real life.
Congratulations on your award….And nice post 🙂
-RBD
Thank you very much!
Congratulations Erin – thoroughly deserved!!
Thanks! I saw you went to Shanghai recently. Used to live there. It’s a great city!
Congrats Erin! You’re more than deserving, though of course you already know that. I’m sure all those smiling pictures you put on here only helped.
Thank you, Matt! Hey, I’m a narcissistic millennial. I gotta post tons of selfies! Or…just avoid any copyright issues by using my own pictures. Hmmm…which could I be doing?
I had a buddy in college who always greeted servers in a restaurant (fast food or sit down) with a big smile and would ask about their day. I was talking to him about it and he said more often then not, he got a lot bigger portions for his meals. Even if he didn’t, he still felt better about brightening their day.
I’m with you on smiles but I take it a step further too. Sometimes just being nice to people goes far. I help out and am nice to my fellow coworkers and just talk to them, asking them about their day/week/etc. As a result, when I’ve gotten into minor jams, they’ve been more than happy to help me out and when I can, I reciprocate the help. It’s amazing what being nice and smiling can do for you!
After the experiences I’ve had working in service I always try to be super friendly and polite. It’s nice when it pays off too.
Congrats on the win – you have an amazing blog. Well deserved!