Most of us are adept at using smiley emojis or emoticons on social media. Smileys are popular; we use them to convey emotions of happiness. Dentists nowadays publicize their profession in terms of ‘smile works’ by highlighting smile makeovers, artificial braces, teeth whitening, etc., and some business ventures are named Smiley. Gifts galore appear on sale with a smiling face as an expression of love and happiness. Remember the old jingles for toothpaste which used a smile to sell their products? Do smiley pictographs always bring a smile to the one receiving them? It all depends on the state of mind or environment of the receiver. The sender cannot be sure about the reaction of the receiver. In reality, smileys on digital media can never truly express feelings and emotions.

Could it be that, engrossed in the world of smileys and glued to our gadgets and computers, we have forgotten to smile at one another? A smile is a conscious or subconscious movement of facial muscles conveying mirth or pleasure. Smiling enlivens us as we look up from our gadgets and look at the ones around us with a welcoming smile, a kind smile, a confident smile, or a caring smile. Your actual smile can make a huge difference. Poets have been inspired to write beautiful lines on the effects of a smile. Let’s see where a smile wins over a smiley.

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“Be nice” is often heard as a parting shot from family and friends. Is one expected to be nice like the popular biscuit — crisp, sweet and sprinkled with sugar for added sweetness? Would you say you are a nice person? Your reply could well be: “Most often, yes, but not always.”

Nice is defined as “being pleasing, agreeable or courteous”. It is not always easy to be nice or agreeable with everyone. A popular advertisement shows a youngster approaching her father for approval to pursue her studies in another city. “I want to move ahead in life, there is so much more to do,” she quips. Her father suggested that she should pursue her dreams in the same town where similar opportunities exist. She was infuriated and withdrew with a sulk. Can she be nice to her father now? It is her father who now chooses to show understanding. He goes a step ahead by being kind to her and agreeing to her expectations.

Can you see the difference in being nice and being kind? Being kind is so much more; it means showing understanding or sympathy.

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