I used to work in a store in a mall. It was hard some days seeing all the sad or angry people walking through so I created a "game" in my head that I call Ambush Smile. Whenever I walked through the halls I look for the most unfriendly or unhappy person I can find. After making eye contact, I smile as warmly as possible. Inevitably, they smile back. Often I would notice them again later still smiling. While retail is no longer my job, I still try to do this whenever I am out and about.

What a sweet lesson to teach her! If only everyone could do that.. what a world it would be!

It’s not your child’s job to manage or improve any adult’s emotions.

That lady might have been dealing with some tough stuff, and only the smile of an innocent child could help, more so than a smile from a grown up.

I certainly would not have smiled back. You need to teach your daughter about stranger-danger.

Good on you for teaching her one of the most valuable lessons in our human lives.