If you want others to like you, smile. It sounds almost too simple, but that’s the deceptive genius of it.
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Meaning
At its core, it’s about initiating positive social connection. Your smile is a non-verbal invitation that says “I am friendly and approachable.”
Explanation
Look, I’ve tested this in boardrooms and at networking events for over a decade. Carnegie wasn’t talking about a fake, painted-on grin. He was talking about a genuine signal. A smile is a primitive, powerful piece of social technology. It triggers a reciprocal response in the other person’s brain—a kind of mirroring effect that lowers defenses and builds immediate, even if minor, rapport. It’s not about manipulation; it’s about broadcasting your baseline state as open and positive, which makes people want to engage with you. It’s the absolute simplest way to change the entire temperature of an interaction before you even say a word.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Life (320) |
| Topics | friendship (11), positivity (15), smile (8) |
| Literary Style | memorable (234), minimalist (442) |
| Emotion / Mood | cheerful (7), lighthearted (8) |
| Overall Quote Score | 70 (55) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is straight from Dale Carnegie’s 1936 classic, How to Win Friends and Influence People, published in the United States. You’ll sometimes see similar sentiments floating around unattributed, but this is the definitive source. It’s Principle 2 in the section on how to make a good first impression.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Dale Carnegie (408) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | How to Win Friends and Influence People (99) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Modern (530) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Dale Carnegie(1888), an American writer received worldwide recognition for his influential books on relationship, leadership, and public speaking. His books and courses focus on human relations, and self confidence as the foundation for success. Among his timeless classics, the Dale Carnegie book list includes How to Win Friends and Influence People is the most influential which inspires millions even today for professional growth.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | If you want others to like you, smile |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 1936 original, Revised Edition 1981, ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9780671723651, Last edition. Number of pages: Revised Edition 1981, approx 291 pages |
| Where is it? | Part Two: Six Ways to Make People Like You, Chapter 5 |