I was at the IKEA Cafe yesterday night. It was very crowded, and almost every seat was filled. Ah hah! I spot an 2 seater table, but it was attached to another occupied table.

She was reading the papers when I approached.

With a wide, pleasant smile, I looked into her eyes and asked if the seats were taken, and if I could take them?

She stared at me and scowled.

I continued smiling and repeated the question, this time gesturing at the empty seats.

She stared at me and scowled.

Finally, she nodded her head and went back to her papers.

I sat down, and smiled at her again, thanking her.

She scowled.

For the next half hour, she thumbed through her New Paper and scowled. New Paper, why am I not surprised?

She scowled again.

And again.

I looked up from my book and looked at her. She squinted at me from the corner of her eyes. And scowled.

She's well dressed. Neatly groomed. Made up, polished nails. Nice shoes. Able to understand English. At least New Paper english.

So why does she lack the social graces to at least smile back when a stranger smiles at you?

But instead, stare, squint and scowl?

Social skills, indeed.

Ah... she's scowling again.