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Post 0

Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 1:18amSanction this postReply
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Paul, I know exactly what you mean. Some women I knew in college were all that kept me going at times. Even though our relationships were purely platonic, it gave me that extra energy to see things through. Bravo!

And to all you women out there, thank you!

Post 1

Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 5:18amSanction this postReply
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So right Paul. That carefree, open face & smile. You remind me how rare it is in my own travels, and how the genuine thing is so distinctive, and so how things should be.

Post 2

Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 6:41amSanction this postReply
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Your poor wife!

Post 3

Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 11:55amSanction this postReply
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Couldn't agree more, Paul. "Damn, I'm glad I'm alive in order to see this" ... that's exactly how I feel, as well. When things might not be going well at work, all I need to do is get out amongst the city to be refueled.

I'm blessed to have many female friends who have that inner glow, that radiance, that optimistic spirit that is just set on fire with a smile or a laugh.

Post 4

Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 2:12pmSanction this postReply
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I agree with you. Sometimes if you look at a person's face, it seems like you can see directly all of their virtues. To paraphrase Ayn Rand, it's as if all of your favorite abstract virtues have been made concrete. My favorite expressions, though, are not light-hearted; my personal preference is for girls who look serious, with a sharp look in their eyes that is intelligent, strong, and untouched by guilt. If you want to see my favorite examples of this, check out the picture galleries of Zhang Ziyi (star of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) that you can find easily on the internet.

Post 5

Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 12:52pmSanction this postReply
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Amen! Brother, you are preachin' to the choir! Halleluja! :)

Now comes the bigger question. Do women see us in a similar way? Come on ladies, spill your guts!

Post 6

Saturday, January 25, 2003 - 4:32pmSanction this postReply
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I was very impressed by the article and it made me very glad to see that a man can be fascinated by a simple smile.I would say that the smile is not that important but it is the whole charm,expression and happiness that makes you happy that moment...

Post 7

Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 9:05amSanction this postReply
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I enjoyed the article as well. As to Adam's question about how women see men, well, I think it's the same. Across cultures it has been found that people are attracted to people who smile for their partners, or friends. I think it does have a lot to do with the attitude you perceive when you see someone smile. A smile radiates a happiness, a confidence with the self, and when you see it on another person that's someone you feel compelled to want to be around. And I do believe it not only works for the opposite sex, but for same gender friendships as well. Maybe not for men so much, but you can write a response for that question if so inclined. I know whether I see a man or a woman and they have this smile, and laughter going, and this energy which just shouts I love life, and I love living, that it is someone I want to be around and get to know. I've also walked by people who are always scowling and look like they've never had a wonderful, fulfilling moment in life, and while I don't think of them beyond the moment when I see them, the one reaction I have to that face is, how sad. I've been a "smiler" all my life, people either always comment on the fact that I am always smiling and how wonderful it is or people tend to ask if I ever frown, and I'm happy to say, that it doesn't happen often.
I think it is a natural tendency to gravitate toward the people who seem happy or present themselves as confident, either because the person sees something similar in themselves and appreciates the beauty of what it means to love life and one's self, or there are some people I think who gravitate toward the smile because it represents something they haven't been able to fulfill in their own life, so they want to be around someone who has and perhaps learn how to reach the point where they themselves can smile and laugh and understand what prompts it.
Good article.
Jen

Post 8

Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 8:56amSanction this postReply
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I have to answer Adam here...men, you rock!

I love my man. Sounds sappy, but I admire him in every way. He can be a grouch. So can I. But I couldn't be happier with him.

I've never been a man hater, or someone who pools all men together in some generalized "all men are like this, bleah bleah!" I reserve my dislike for individuals, not generalizations or stereotypes.

A wonderful man is like a breath of fresh air. Someone confident, talented, and intelligent...and of course, happy and kind. What could be better?

Great article. A good woman loves a man who truly loves a good woman.

Post 9

Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 7:01amSanction this postReply
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Smiles and inner radiance do make men and women look so much more beautiful. I am often told that I very beautiful when I smile. According to Adam's line of reasoning, I am mildly beautiful when serious.

Anyway, when it comes to men, a look of quiet confidence, kindness, and unconscious sexiness, all conveyed with a gentle smile is the most appealing.

Did you know if you smile, your mood lifts. Sounds obvious, but it's true and you have a good affect on people by doing so. I usually get more men hitting on me when I smile than when I have my usual deep in thought, intense expression (i have to laught at myself).

Post 10

Saturday, March 4, 2006 - 3:08amSanction this postReply
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This is a brilliant article and thread. Thank you!

Post 11

Saturday, March 4, 2006 - 12:03pmSanction this postReply
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Amen [said the Reverend] ;-)


Post 12

Saturday, March 4, 2006 - 9:06pmSanction this postReply
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Yes, the smile of a good woman can really make a man's day.  This is especially true if the smile is for him.  I think many women simply do not understand the power of a smile.  Others fear to give one to a man, since they feel he will over-interpret her interest.  In a more benevolently-minded world, there would be many more smiles and life would be greatly richer.

Post 13

Monday, March 6, 2006 - 9:07pmSanction this postReply
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A very worthwhile point to raise, Paul. Thank you (even though it's been three years!). I've heard many men express similar sentiments, and from a high-quality man, I consider it a mark of his appreciation of life and himself, as well as the woman.

For me it goes beyond a smile, though I admit I've been stopped in my tracks by a dazzler more than once ;o). It's the entirety, like a great poem or song. Everything reinforces and emphasizes the greatness you see, and in the most understated way conceivable.

I recently posted about this on my own blog (http://praxical.blogsome.com): There is no finer tangible thing than a human body coupled with an unharnessed human spirit. It knocks my socks off every time.


Post 14

Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 3:33pmSanction this postReply
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Hi, Katherine, Thanks for the comments on my article. I surely agree with you that it goes beyond a smile. There is another woman where I work who is moderately good looking. However, she moves and acts as if she loves life and enjoys it to the hilt. She's constantly beaming and laughing and that turns her drop dead gorgeous. In contrast, I've seen women who have flawless faces and perfect figures ruin their looks by being moody, sulky, or abrasive. We often hear that it's not a person's external appearance that counts but his or her "inner beauty". This suggests that the two are separate. However, as Objectivists who reject the mind/body split, we know that a woman's inner beauty is reflected in her outward appearance. You also mention that you wrote a similar essay on your own blog. However, your link just goes to the general blog page. Please tell me the name of that post. I would very much like to read it. Paul

Post 15

Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 8:35pmSanction this postReply
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My mistake for not linking to the specific post. It's http://praxical.blogsome.com/2006/03/04/silent-soliloquy/.

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