Smile!

I'm heading to New York just for the day to speak at an analyst conference about consumer trends. Every time I go there, I'm reminded of one of my first trips to the big city. I was 23 or so and had just started working at NRF. I headed to the Big Apple on a media tour with my boss.

During my whole trip, I tried very hard to fit into the New York atmosphere and put my farm girl personality to rest for a few days. (I was even wearing all-black, which is practically the only acceptable wardrobe in that city.)

I thought I was doing such a good job at blending in. That is, until we were walking down the street and my boss, a consummate New Yorker (and an incredibly lovable, but very frank guy), looked at me and said, "Will you please stop smiling at everyone we pass? No one here does that!" Thinking about it still makes me laugh.

Now, whenever I go to New York, I smile at everybody. On purpose. Sure, it makes me stand out, but I have to believe those people are smile-depraved enough that they'll accept one from a person who has plenty of smiles to give.

Besides, I kind of like the idea of someone passing me in Manhattan and immediately thinking, "She's definitely not from these parts." Nope, I'm not. And that's just what I want to be.