From The Storyteller
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Hello All: Sometimes it's the little things that work the best. Lots of smiles from a small gesture. Enjoy, Doug
Cowboy “He’s a cowboy,” says Mom to her 3-year-old son (my guess). As most of you know I wear hats, and the style I currently like best is western. Since I’ve helped to send several dermatologist’s children through college, the broad brim which helps avoid as much sun as possible, also goes well with my retirement preference of jeans and a loose shirt. Which leads me to George West and watching the high school boys who choose to wear western hats. When they would walk past a woman, without saying a word, they would touch the brim of their hat as if they were tipping their hat, and almost without exception, the woman would respond with a smile. I began doing the same hat tip thing every time I made eye contact with a woman. It worked virtually every time. A tip of my hat to a woman was an automatic smile generator. No words are needed and continuing to walk on by simply avoided unintended suggestions. Which brings me to the mother to talking to her young son. I never thought about the connection between a subtle tipping my hat to a lady and her corresponding smile until the, “He’s a cowboy” comment. I am not a cowboy. I know some, most wear baseball caps and wear spurs to work, but somehow touching the brim of my western hat makes me a cowboy and brings a smile to the strangers I pass on the street. Admittedly, I’ve not tried it outside the mid-west, but from Tennessee to New Mexico, and Texas to Nebraska it works, so I’m interested in testing my theory elsewhere. Which brings to smile because Elaine’s retired and now, we have a good reason to travel. Moral: Good reasons are important. |