Smiles

One of the outstanding characteristics of the Africans I have encountered here is their smile.  There are four youngish boys, of course to us everyone is youngish, here learning to be translators that have just infectious smiles.  You can’t help but want to interact with them. The smiles go along with another African tradition of shaking hands so that you get them both, the handshake and a smile. 

Normally Nigeriens don't smile to the camera so we don't have many pictures but sometimes they just can't help it.

The smile just might be the universal language.  And the African smile is the best.  My walks are punctuated with African smiles and greetings in French or Zarma or Hausa and sometimes now, even in English, but it is the smiles that make these interactions so special.

A smile communicates so much – friendliness, acceptance, and warmth.  It says, do not be afraid, it’s OK, life is good.  A smile is contagious.  You receive one and you just want to give one back – or pay it forward if you will.  It’s hard to be grumpy or angry with a smile on your face.  It seems to me that a smiling face is a sign of a smiling heart, a smiling attitude. 

Africans seem to go through their days smiling which is why even though this is one of the poorest countries, even though this is one of the hottest places ever, even though life here is hard, you would never know it if you look at their faces – look at their smiles.  It’s as if their attitudes aren’t affected by their circumstances.  The smile seems to determine their approach to life and it makes this place wonderful despite the dust, heat, poverty, etc. 

A friend who had spent much time in Africa told us before we left – with smiles – who needs French?  While we do wish our French were better we can also say that she is right.

If I bring anything home with me, I think what I want to bring most is an African smile.