Good morning, good afternoon and good evening readers,

We were sat in Painter’s Square (Saryan Park to the Armenians), minding our own whilst waiting for our friend Alla. This old man is shuffling past and his gate is rather hostile. He is staring at us, of course. Sometimes I think I must either be drop dead gorgeous or literally an alien from the planet of Uglorg. It’s okay though, he is curious, and I am in the mood for a challenge.

Old man: *shuffle, shuffle* … *stop, stare* … *shuffle, shuffle* … *stop, stare*
Me: (Is this guy the Pink Panther or something… danun, danun, danun nanun nanun nanun nanuuuuuurnnnnn, nunununun)
Old man: *staring blank face*
Me: *Gentle smile* (hmmm not enough impact)
Old man: *looks away, looks back*
Me: *bigger smile* (he still seems suspicious of me)
Old man: *little smirk*
Me: (Okay, okay we are getting somewhere) *BIG SMILE AND I SMILE WITH MY EYES*
Old man: *Proper cheeky grin and he is laughing*

Hallelujah! I did it. I made the grumpy old man grin!

After that point he tried to talk to us in Armenian. I wasn’t really prepared for that. People are so determined to talk to us in Armenian and despite us saying that we do not understand (in Armenian might I add), they keep nattering away. Poor Amy wasn’t expecting it as he perched down next to her. By the amount he moved his mouth when he spoke, I am sure he is a ventriloquist doll. We can’t make head nor tails of this.

We managed to get a half decent conversation out of each other, but there is something much more important I have learnt out of this interaction. Every time I genuinely and whole heartedly smiled at him, he responded with the cheekiest grin. I could see all his personality in that once glance. What an absolute rascal he has been in his life, let me tell you! My friend Caroline has told me before to smile straight from the eyes, so today when I did it the results were undeniable. If you open your eyes to those around you, they will open there’s to you in return. I am going to continue smiling in this genuine way and even if I am met with horrified glares, at least I made have peeled off the hostile contact lenses for the next stranger that they meet.

It is true what they say, the eyes are the window to the soul and I am going window shopping.

In kindness,
C x