The Ministry of Culture in Thailand asked the Thai people to do their best and double the number of times they smile at foreign visitors. The ministry wants each Thai to increase from three to six their number of smiles when greeting tourists.

The new approach is intended to repair the damage done to the tourist trade in Thailand and other South East Asian countries because of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) The Thai ministry considers smiling to be effective in both pleasing and attracting tourists and so in reviving the tourist sector. A pleased, happy and amused expression on a face can work wonders.

Tourists don’t usually ask visa officials whether the country they intend to visit is a smiling one so that they can decide to proceed with the planned visit or change their destination.

But our Arab world seems to be lacking this characteristic, which reflects civilized behavior. It is certainly true of course that we have made big strides in areas such as the economy, education and others, but these are all areas dealing with material progress.

We tend to frown and express displeasure when coming into contact with others. It is as if smiling would result in the loss of one’s self-respect and reputation.

Standing at the passport counter at the airport you are greeted with a stern look from the officer who keeps examining your face while going through your passport as if you were on the most-wanted list. After a few nervous minutes, the officer stamps your passport and, if you are lucky, you may hear him bid you farewell and wish you a nice trip.

Even this, however, is said in a way that indicates the officer has somehow been relieved of a heavy burden. It is the same in other public places. Traffic officers who seldom smile or show any sign of human caring think part of their job to being unpleasant to people.

They think they are following the law when they behave this way. In taxis, too many drivers are either dead silent or far too vocal in complaining of the high cost of living — expecting you no doubt to pay more than the fare. I would like to see our own people smile at me and not treating us as if we were enemies.

I want to see people smile in the office, in the street, while standing, walking or jogging. It doesn’t cost much to smile at people rather than frown at everybody who comes your way.

Arab News From the Local Press 6 August 2003