[Rachaelxxx]

When I'm out and about I am one of those people that if you make eye with me or if I make eye contact with you (same thing really isn't it ) I will smile at you and for the most part people will smile back at me. But every time I smile at (now here is my ignorance because I don't know the exact nationality), but I think it's Indians, the women that wear the Burquas and some just have the head wear on, I never ever ever get a smile back, in fact sometimes I think they even turn their nose up at me. They make me feel like I'm inferior to them and I'm not generalising because I kid you not, I never get a smile or acknowledgment back. Why do you think that is.

I don't know a lot about their customs, I won't even pretend I know so I hope I'm not offending anyone, I'm not being racist either, I'm just genuinely curious.

[Apageintime]

I wouldn't smile at you either - I'm very shy and would think you were smiling at someone else!

I am very nice, even though you may think I'm lookin down at you and not smiling, I'm just socially awkward. Sorry.

[titch482]

depending on the type of smile, i might get a bit intimidated, or think you were laughing at me.
i will give a small smile ifi meet someone at a doorway, hold the lift for someone etc, but just randomly probably not

[Mel1609]

Hmm, I don't know, OP. Maybe their culture is more socially reserved ? No idea. But I do think generalisations like these often lead to trouble.

[Rachaelxxx]

I certainly have thought that perhaps they are shy but please don't take this post as me being rude or smart, because if you do, then you have missed my point entirely. I can't emphasise enough how non racist this topic is and I can understand if by nature they are very shy, I also wondered if they were only allowed to mix or talk to people with similar traditions and lifestyle as well.

[howdo]

I wouldn't smile either and I don't wear a Burqa. I'm just anti-social and feel no need to randomly smile at people I don't know.

You don't mean Indians, however, if you are indeed talking about Burqas they are worn by Muslim women. It's unusual to know the name of the garment without knowing which religion they belong to. You must have had a brain blank.

[MahnaMahna]

OP I am like you, if I make eye contact, I smile.

There are some nationalities that I have noticed don't smile back and look away as quick as possible. I have always assumed it is one of two things.

1) They are shy.
2) Their culture frowns upon direct eye contact with someone you don't know.

At Uni at the moment I am doing a cultural unit that is teaching us about which cultures don't like direct eye contact, which ones don't like any touching at all, not even to shake hands etc. It is very interesting learning about all the different customs.

I wouldn't worry about it OP

[chubba_bubba]

Are you also one of those people who only dish out compliments so you can get one in return?

[Velvetta]

I've had lots of Muslim women smile back at me and Indians! And Muslim Indians too!
You aren't trying hard enough OP.

[mks81]

I'm not sure....I was just wondering if their wearing a burqa how would you know about smiling anyway if their face is covered?


I usually am off in my own little world down the street, shops so people that I even do know usually have to get in my face or yell at me to make me take notice...have seriously had several friends bump their trolleys into mine to get my attention while shopping. Maybe some women are off in their little world as well.I do smile at people though and will even ask some how their going....more about being raised in the country and around older people I think.

This post has been edited by mks81: 18/04/2012, 02:59 PM