Endless are the messages one receives on the virtues of a smile and yet, there are smiles and there are smiles. I do not know if there is a subject called ‘smilology’ but over the years I have become a fairly good interpreter of smiles. A genuine smile is rather rare in modern times. The smiles given at hotels, on planes by hosts and air hostesses are mechanical – a part of their job. The smile of a corporate/showroom employee is premeditated, to entice the customer. The polite smile one gives unexpected guests is good manners, even though one is seething inside at their untimely arrival. The smiles exchanged at social gathering are just that – social. The sinister grimace of a smile an examiner gives a student sends shivers down his back. The fake, beatific smile a dhonghi god man bestows upon his congregation makes me want to slap his face. The cunning smile of a conman, the secretive smile of one up to mischief – one could go on and on about the variety of smiles that do not qualify as real smiles.

The smile of pleasure on the face of a glutton at the sight of food, though disgusting is, at least genuine. The smile of a newborn baby is divine. The smiles that mother exchanges with her toddler are pure. The smile that a girl gives her lover is radiant. The smile that a caring husband gives his tired wife is tender. The smile of a kind nurse is compassionate, the smile of gratitude on the face of a patient is gratifying but the smile that warmed the cockles of my heart was bestowed upon me by a stranger, a poor one at that. The narrow service lane near my house is narrowed still further by parked cars, making it difficult for two vehicles to cross each other. While driving, a rickshaw puller almost jammed his rickety vehicle into my car but had the grace to pull back immediately. When I was close enough to make eye to eye contact, I lowered my window glass. He braced himself for a tirade but I smiled and said thank you. This unexpected bit of courtesy shown to one used to abuses, made his worn out face wrinkle into a smile of such brilliance that it blinded me! Some days later, a corpulent youth in a flashy car, one of those nouveau riche used to having their way, entered the lane when I had almost crossed its entire length. It was so much easier for him to back off but he did not budge an inch. There was no way I could reverse such a long distance with a line of honking vehicles behind me. He had no option but to give way, which he did with ill grace. ‘Thank you.’ I smiled as I crossed his vehicle. His belligerent glare softened into a contrite smile as he said ‘Sorry aunty.’ If it is so easy to convert a confrontational situation into a smiling one, why don’t we all?