Angkor Smile

I took about two hundred photographs yesterday afternoon after the rain. Mainly of people working, socializing and resting in and around the old market. I walked along a few less populated streets and alleys to get some behind the scenes shots as well. And everywhere I went there were friendly faces.

I love how easily people smile here in Asia. As soon as your eyes meet theirs, a smile is usually born and a small light is lit inside me. It spreads a warm feeling of commonality. No matter how huge the distance may be between us in any respect.

What I don’t get is why so many people in so many western countries are so uptight and find it so difficult to meet a stranger with a smile. I like to provoke a smile or two once in a while. Especially in Sweden where spontaneous smiles are far and in between – particularly during the 9 month looooong winter.

Folks here in Asia, with hardly anything at all (materialistically speaking), are incredibly generous with their smiles while many that travel to this neck of the woods bring with them a tight lipped (nervous?) attitude. Why?

Can somebody explain this to me?