“Cranky” and “grumpy” are your words and an example of your usual hyperbole. No one here as said it is good to be cranky and grumpy. I’ve done plenty of business in Amish shops and food stands over the years and they are always pleasant and courteous even if they aren’t all smiley and flirtatious. I don’t see the problem.Josh wrote: ↑Sat Feb 03, 2024 5:45 pm The original context was someone complaining that Amish (and Holdeman) people don’t smile much and seem unfriendly in public.
Somehow we have driven all the way to the destination that it’s actually good to have a cranky, grumpy appearance to repel random men who (apparently) are gong to be stalkers or worse.
Context is everything and teaching young girls and women that they shouldn’t be too friendly, flirtatious, or trusting of strangers isn’t necessarily a bad thing. And it is mostly young girl and women who are told and taught to smile. I went through my entire childhood and don’t recall ever once being told to smile except for the camera during family portraits.