Coutersy, Our Way of Life

The art of smiling is an art that is possessed by one and all, and yet we hesitate and refrain from the numerous occasions when we could exhibit such skill. Is this some sort of health consciousness among our fellow beings, for the truth is that smiling employs only a few muscles, whereas the diverse manifestation of a gloomy mood generates more muscular tension. Or is it that a smile-less facial appearance expresses a more somber personality with deeper sense of maturity?

Nepalese has long been attributed for being friendly people who are unable to resist the temptation to give a big wide smile. It is true. However, in the aggressively modernizing society, such wide smiles are retreating towards a mere smirk, and in some cases just an ashen look. Maybe the reason tied to our nationality. My personal experience in many popular alien destination within the city, and in some trekking routes has compelled me to assume that Nepalese should not be smiling with one another. Whereas, on the other hand, it is imperative and of utmost importance to smile at aliens who visit our country. No wonder such connotations about "friendly Nepalese" is so prolific in the diversity of travel guide books on Nepal, and I presume that such enthusiastic disposition of our fellow Nepalese are thankfully preserving that "friendliness" trend alive.

Truthfully speaking, tourism is one of our country's major income source, therefore, it is inevitable for Nepalese to cater to aliens. Nevertheless, I do believe that everyone, aliens or Nepalese, should all be greeted with equal respect in whichever geographical location of our country.

The smile is just as endangered as it is in the local markets of our city. In the busy bazaars of the city, shopkeepers are more eager to provide their goodwill service to the bigger sales promoters, then towards the timid customer who just want to buy a chewing gum. But, its not as if the city streets are replete with mean shop owners. Of course not. These days, a lot of businesses are gathering dust, and at such times, what happens if you meet the perfect arrogant person in the early hours of a normal business day? Such encounters with impatient and uncouth customers are enough to erase all the jolly colours of joy off your face.

There are many more cases, and I may have to continue till kingdom come. But, one thing is for sure, we should all try to smile