By Amanda Brown
On the rare occasions that I make an appearance out in public these days, I am continually struck with a reoccurring, distressing awareness. At first, it was hard to identify exactly what was bothering me – until I realized that it was the absence of a thing and not the thing itself; we don’t smile at each other anymore.
In a time when we’re told that social distancing equals social consciousness, and isolation is generosity at best and self-preservation at worst, it can get confusing as to how we’re actually supposed to show love and kindness to our fellow humans throughout our day to day lives. Of course, we have social media and awkward zoom calls as a means of interaction, as well as the instant ability to call or text a friend at a moment’s notice – but the lacking component to these social interactions is the spontaneity of an unplanned, authentic human interaction with a stranger. It’s these interactions that we as a society are desperately missing after almost a year of lockdowns.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not here to present the argument that wearing a mask isn’t an act of solidarity, or that we shouldn’t comply with state and local mandates. I’m merely here to question the potential short and long-term effects of humans existing in life staying six feet apart and never acknowledging the humans they physically encounter. Not only do we not have the ability to acknowledge strangers like we used to, but it feels almost as though we’re not even supposed to. I can’t help but wonder what damage this may be causing to our society in the long run.
Maybe it’s a personal problem. After all, all any of us really have are our own experiences to relate from. When I was a child, I was quiet and reserved, so often my main (and sometimes only) form of interaction was to smile. This was the basis upon which many relationships were built, and the foundation from which my social personality grew. I did not realize until I was much older the true, simple power that a smile holds. It can start a conversation, it can relate in an awkward moment, it can bring comfort in a questionable situation, and at it’s best, encourage the receiver in a time of depression. At the core, it humanizes those around us. A genuine smile given to a stranger is the cheapest, easiest gift you can give; and the more you give it, the easier it comes – and I think most find, the more it gives back. The past year of masking up and social distancing may indeed be saving lives, but I can’t help but worry about the effects of a society that has forgotten how to smile at strangers, nor can I fight off the nagging worry that our society’s children will grow up in a world where ignoring the passing stranger is not only normal but expected. When we as people lose sight of the humanity and feelings of the strangers around us, we lose sight of humanity itself. And what happens then?
