curious if it's just the midwesterners/Canadians who are really stressed out because the masks block the small almost apologetic non-smile/smile you give to strangers so they know you're not a murderer

eye contact is a whole different thing. It's actually kind of against what that smile is all about. You make fleeting eye contact & then look back at the grocery shelf & IN BETWEEN those two is when you do the smile. It can't be right AT the person, that's insane

the interesting thing is how much you need it back also - I got a very well-executed head nod from a guy yesterday & the relief was IMMENSE