I realized today that I see more and more angry people, including children all of the time. We talk about the Russians being grumpy and not smiling. I can speak for today, I ran into some angry folks here in the 'ole friendly South.

Driving into work, I was waving at someone to say hi as they entered the building...they looked at me as if they smelled poo. A few hours later, it was time to tell the kids to get off of the playground and head back in to class. I was helping another class of older kids get their children in also. This seemingly adorable child turned around to me and screamed "NO I WILL NOT!!!" Ok...that is cool...that is a kids behavior at times. I am a Mom. But, this child looked at me and reminded me of watching the movie "The Exorcist". All the way down to the voice and the eyes. (I could have sworn I saw him turn his head all the way around). He was one more angry kid!.

Then, after work, it was time to go to the grocery store. I was strolling down the aisle with my girls and my basket was full because I wanted to make sure my mother in law and our kids had enough food while we were gone and my husband when he got back next week. So, the pile was large needless to say. A man was walking down the aisle and looked at my cart and literally gave my cart this look which wasn't so nice. It was a look of disgust that there was so much food in there. I was like "What is happening today?"

The icing on the cake was when we left the grocery store. Mind you, the girls were actually angels today. They didn't fall on the ground or catch the food as we drove by on the aisles and grab things. They were great!. So, there was nothing for anyone to be mad at us about today. We put all the groceries in the car. I SLOWLY backed out of the parking space. I am talking "Driving Miss Daisy" here. I look on both sides to make sure no one was coming. I proceeded cautiously because I am a nervous nelly that I am going to hit someone. So, along came an angry woman barrelling down the parking lot in her cart on my right...I put on the brakes. She stopped her cart so fast and I looked in my rear view mirror and saw her give me several hand gestures which I am sure was not sign language for hello. ;) She huffed and puffed all the way to her car. However, she never took her eyes off of me. I still can't figure out how she managed to push that cart forward and have her head turned backwards to stare me down. She gave me the "hate eyes". I was totally in "shock and awe". Do I stink today? I know I bought new deodorant for the trip and I used it already!

Maybe I was wearing the wrong makeup or had the wrong color of hair or maybe my socks were on backwards. But, today...the angry people were out. Come to think of it...I have noticed it more lately. Especially in public. Don't get me started on angry drivers. But, at the stores (especially a Walmart), although I shop there on occassion...I firmly believe that there is a "Angry Moms Club" that meets every week and they decide that Walmart is their place of choice to go and take their anger out on their children. Because, my husband and I both can attest that each time we have been, there has been a Mom screaming and yelling at their child "Johnny, if you look at me that way one more time...I'm gonna......"

If you want to go somewhere where there is relaxed people, do not go to the one across from me. :) I am not sure why there is so many angry people out there. I could be angry if I wanted to be. We all could. We all have had things go wrong, and I am sure bad things have happened. We all have had bad days. But, I wonder how hard it really would be if people stopped and thought about how they acted???, especially in public. What if that person they just gave that lovely hand gesture too had a really bad day and they just needed a smile?. Sometimes all someone needs is a smile.

My mom always told me that it takes as many muscles to smile that it does to frown. Maybe we should all try smiling at others once in a while. Although, in Russia...they may put you in the funny farm for that. :)