what are you staring at?

When you're in the car and you stop at the lights, do you ever turn to stare at the people in the car next to you?

It's just that tendency to just glance around when you're stationary.

They of course look back. Inevitably there's that moment of awkwardness and you just look away.

I must admit, I sometimes do this wittingly. I get so bored that I keep staring at people until they get so embarrassed that they turn away themselves.

I've had kids equally as bored as me respond by sticking their tongue out or making googly-eyed faces. And that's when I decide to retain my dignity and look away before someone more mature catches me out.

Today, as we reached a red light, I saw an old man in the car next to mine. I wasn't being weird and purposely staring this time, I swear. So I glanced over and I caught his eye (he was staring too!). When I was about to look away, his lips turned upward and he smiled. A genuine smile. It wasn't sardonic or creepy, but warm and sincere.

I had no idea who he was. I'd never seen him before in my life and I probably wouldn't ever see him again. But it got me thinking. Such a small gesture made my day. It brought such a sense of community; of support and love. The fact that it came from a stranger showed that it was universal. A simple smile can make anyone happy.

So I smiled back.