I'm about to get into a discussion I should probably avoid - especially since I am guilty of it myself. Why doesn't anyone at the gym smile? Do we all really think that having that I-don't-even-know-that-you-are-in-front-of-me look is flattering? Okay, I am guilty of it too. I tend to work out on the same days at the same time with the same people around. As a matter of fact, I actually time my workouts based on who is still on the gym floor. If a certain older gentleman has arrived to work out, then I am running late.

Anyway, back to the subject of not smiling. It occurred to me today that as a population in general, gym-goers never smile. I am even going to say that the more in-shape the person is, the more they are prone to that introspective/bored/"I'm gonna fuck you up!"-look on their face. I started to think about this when a someone pointed out an excrutiatingly attractive gentleman and said "He would be even more attractive if he smiled." Yet, in the 30 minutes I "stalked" him, he never once smiled. He made eye contact with several others and twice with me BUT no smile. Okay, I myself did not once smile at him but we are not talking about me. Well, maybe we are?

Why has it been the norm not to smile and acknowledge someone in the gym? Or anywhere else for that matter? Are we so paranoid that if we smile at someone, they will think we are some kind of strange deranged psychotic killer that is plotting their painful demise? Is it considered rude to smile at someone because that would mean we are invading their inner sanctum without being invited? Is a smile always some form of flirtation hence most people try to avoid it for fear of being rejected? Isn't smiling at somebody just about trying to acknowledge their presence and nothing else?

And if we do return a smile, what does it really mean? Is it an invitation to talk and chat about one's day? Is it a sign of one's interest in another, romantically or not? Is returning a smile just really a returned acknowledgment? If that cute guy smiles at me, does it mean he wants me BAD??!!!?!?!? Is a smile really just a smile?

Okay, maybe I need to just start smiling. Maybe I just need to smile and acknowledge anyone I make eye contact with. Especially the ones that I see on a semi-regular basis at the gym - like that short blond-highlights guy who works out at the same time I do. Or the bullish woman who lifts weights every Saturday morning as I head toward the group exercise studio. It won't be easy to break my habit of keeping a stoic face but I am willing to give it a try. If you see me in the gym, smile! Hell, smile at me as much as you want. I'll smile back. Later.  ¶ 1:07 AM