Take A Smile

Random Acts of Kindness Approved Activities List
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Societal Issues Targeted:

  1. Reminding people they are surrounded by happy, friendly people.
  2. Building trust in the community and closing the distance between us all.

Intro:
A simple, easy to organise event which is lots of fun, and is a wonderfully direct way to bring a smile your city!

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How To

  1. Draw colourful smiley faces around the outside of a sheet of paper and write “Take a Smile” in the middle (in any language).

Protip: its fun to meet in a coffee shop or park an hour before and decorate signs together right before the event

  1. Cut down both sides of the smiles making strips, then 3/4 of the way across on top. This makes it easier for people to pull the smile off and stops your ‘Take a smile’ sign from ripping.

  2. Take to the streets inviting everyone you meet to TAKE A SMILE!

protip #2: people’s 1st reaction is normally that you are selling or marketing something and they will say no out of reflex. I offer once and then encourage them to look again by saying something like ‘go on, its just a smile’ - the reassurance that its not a sale normally gets people to actually look, and then most take one (and smile!). A third ask would be pushy, lets not go there :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes:

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And…

That’s all there is too it. This simple event is more fun than trying to catch a greased pig, in a pit fill of jelly(o) while wearing an inflatable clown costume!

Take a Smile spreads smiles around where you live, and reminds everyone that the community they live in is full of happy, friendly people who will share their time just to make them smile. A wonderful, happy and fun thing to spend a few hours doing!

Pick a day, time and meeting point then invite your friends to walk around the town with you giving everyone you meet a smile to take home.

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More Pro- Tips:

  • You ARE doing something unusual and lots of people will think you are trying to sell them something, so this event takes a little more patience than others – but stick with it as the reactions are beautiful from people who see that it is just nothing more than a kind gesture to brighten their day.

  • Numbers really aren’t important, I did this event 1st time with just one other person and we had an amazingly fun afternoon - so don’t stress about how many people are joining you as 2 of you is more than enough to have an excellent time, or go solo if you are confident enough. Its a pretty great way to make friends when you’re travelling as someone always wants to know more and chat.

  • Its fun to socialise afterwards in a bar, beach or park

  • If you feel ok doing it, write an article or make a video to share your experiences with the rest of our community, and to inspire others to run their own a Take a Smile.

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Studies Supporting the Positive Impact of this Activity