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Old 07-25-2011, 02:32 PM
 
6 posts, read 7,780 times
Reputation: 11

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Why do people on military bases smile so much ?

I'm in Tidewater Area of Virginia and been to several military bases here b/c my brother is here in the Air Force. He works in and out of like 3 different bases Usually when he works I hang there by myself in public areas.. Everywhere I go people smile at me and I am not sure why. Young and old and male and female it doesnt matter. I dont feel comfortable with this because I am unsure how to react to these strangers. Also, other than my brother I dont have any personal connection to the military, but I'm not sure they even know what my connection is and besides they let just about any one come through here. So I was just wondering if this is some social code or something. but when I asked him about he was like "really" ? and said no-one smiles at HIM. I'm a female 22 years old...but as I said everyone smiles not just guys, but I dont know if they do at men or just women. So I am just wondering, usually I look away kind of embarrassed. Unless I am actively having a conversation with someone for an extended time period then I will usually smile if its going well, but not really random strangers in passing.
PS : in the past 3 days two seperate men ( both older and not even attractive to me ) have *demanded* of me that I smile at them. I just gave them a blank stare not knowing where they got off doing that ??? Even my own male family members dont do this, if they want me to see me happy and stuff they will tell me a joke or something . I thought that was very rude of them... But again, if/ once I get to know someone I do smile away
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Old 07-25-2011, 04:16 PM
 
2,776 posts, read 3,598,372 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by milky_way View Post
I'm a female 22 years old..

That is why.
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Old 07-25-2011, 09:28 PM
 
Location: Chesterfield, VA
1,222 posts, read 5,153,003 times
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Perhaps they are having a good day and just want to share it! In Virginia, we smile and tell others to have a good day. Smile back!
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Old 07-25-2011, 09:37 PM
 
84 posts, read 288,000 times
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Quote:
Why do people on military bases smile so much ?
If you had a "need to know".. you would know.

Since how you are treated while a guest onboard a military base is not to your liking, don't go.

Don't subject yourself to all of the smiling, have your brother drop you off outside the gate and wait for him there. Everybody's happy, you are not asked to smile and your hosts don't have to ask you to smile.

A good day will be had by all..
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Old 07-26-2011, 05:27 AM
 
Location: Spartanburg, SC
4,900 posts, read 7,457,279 times
Reputation: 3876
If you don't like eye contact and smiles, don't move further south! There's always threads on the Southern boards about this "problem". I've never understood why people are offended by friendly gestures. Oh, well. . . have a nice day!
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Old 07-26-2011, 05:34 AM
 
3,644 posts, read 10,946,800 times
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Can we trade problems?
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Old 07-26-2011, 10:19 AM
 
1,696 posts, read 4,352,465 times
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Everybody smiling at you is creepy IF they are only doing it to you.

Older men demanding that you smile is beyond creepy. I suggest you tell them off. Tell them what they're doing is making you uncomfortable.

I have been to dozens of bases and never saw many smiles. Saw lots of spitting, smoking, and snot rockets though.
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Old 07-26-2011, 10:57 AM
 
6 posts, read 7,780 times
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I have been to dozens of bases and never saw many smiles

I am starting to think only women get smiled at b/c my brother who is 6 ft tall and kinda mean looking ( he's just a big bear really ) doesnt get smiled at he says....and you say the same thing, so it must be just intended for women.
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Old 07-26-2011, 11:09 AM
 
1,696 posts, read 4,352,465 times
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I am an attractive young woman and don't recall smiles on base. The bases I spent the most time at were in HI, NC, OK, CA, and NY. The common thread truly was the nose picking, spitting, etc.! LOL
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Old 07-27-2011, 08:10 AM
LDH
 
168 posts, read 588,221 times
Reputation: 106
I would guess these men who are trying to get you to smile are older than 70. If that is the case, they are just being friendly (not in a bad way). I've come across this many times and most of them are widowers that are just getting out and trying to socialize with people. They mean no harm by it and aren't trying to pick you up.
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