And the survey said

[Marty Halvorson]

For quite a few years now, I've been conducting an informal survey, usually 
during my noon-time walks. The idea is to see how people react when you 
smile at them.

Several correlations have been observed.

1.  The place makes a difference.  In Los Alamos, age did not seem to make 
a difference.  In Santa Fe, age does seem to have an effect.

2. The sex of the person being smiled at makes a difference.  Women smile 
back much more readily than men.  This was particularly noticeable in Los 
Alamos.  There was only one woman, who fit my stereotype of a bull dyke, 
who didn't smile back, while very few of the men returned the smile.

3. Age makes a difference.  People who appear to be at least as old as I 
(I'm 61) smile back much more readily than younger people.  This is 
especially noticeable in Santa Fe, where older tourists make up a 
substantial portion of the people smiled at.  Nearly all, both men and 
women, smile back, and quite often say "Good morning" or afternoon as 
appropriate.

A few facets of the observed populations.  Los Alamos samples were taken 
almost exclusively while walking in the woods surrounding the National 
Laboratory during the noon hour.  Thus the population was mostly people 
walking for pleasure or to get their daily cardiovascular exercise.  The 
men were mostly scientists, would be scientists, or technicians, and the 
women were mostly scientists, would be scientists, or clerical 
staff.  Younger people predominated.

Santa Fe samples were taken downtown while on coffee breaks or during the 
noon hour.  The population consists of tourists, both young and old, other 
Santa Feans out and about, mostly small business men and store clerks, and 
street people.  Smiling at street people quite often invokes a request for 
a hand-out.  Consistently smiling at the same people (including the street 
people) results in being recognized in the future and quite often a "Hello" 
or smiling first.

Peace,

Marty Halvorson