Don’t flash an immediate smile when you meet someone. That initial moment is everything. It’s about shifting from a generic greeting to a genuine, powerful connection that makes the other person feel truly seen.
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Meaning
It’s about replacing an automatic, polite reaction with a deliberate, personal connection. You’re trading a reflex for a moment of genuine recognition.
Explanation
Okay, so here’s the thing I’ve found after years of coaching people on this. An immediate smile can come off as… well, a bit robotic. It’s what everyone expects. It’s the social default. But when you pause, just for a heartbeat, and look at them first, you’re communicating something entirely different. You’re saying, “I see you. I’m registering who you are.” And then the smile unfolds. That slight delay transforms it from a polite gesture into a gift meant specifically for them. It creates a tiny, powerful moment of intimacy. It’s the difference between a streetlamp turning on at a scheduled time and someone lighting a candle just for you.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (4111) |
| Category | Relationship (333) |
| Topics | first impression (5), nonverbal communication (3), presence (87) |
| Literary Style | instructional (48), observational (27) |
| Emotion / Mood | confident (44), optimistic (127) |
| Overall Quote Score | 80 (269) |
Origin & Factcheck
This gem comes straight from Leil Lowndes’s 1999 book, How to Talk to Anyone, published in the US. It’s one of her 92 “little tricks.” You sometimes see similar concepts floating around, but this specific phrasing and the psychology behind it is all Lowndes.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Leil Lowndes (235) |
| Source Type | Book (4703) |
| Source/Book Name | How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships (185) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Contemporary (1844) |
| Original Language | English (4111) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4703) |
Author Bio
Leil Lowndes writes about striking conversations with unknown people and how to put others at ease and maintain relationships. Her techniques are straightforward and practically usable that readers can apply immediately in their workplace, and everyday life. Her book list includes How to Talk to Anyone and Goodbye to Shy which have reached international audiences.
Official Website |Facebook | X | YouTube |
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Don’t flash an immediate smile when you meet someone. Instead, look at their face for a second, pause, and then let your smile spread slowly |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 1999; ISBN: 978-0-07-141858-4; Last edition: 2018; Number of pages: 368. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 2: The Flooding Smile, Approximate page 11 from 2018 edition |