I didn’t realize how often I smile to inform strangers I’m passing in a hall or on the street that I’m harmless and friendly until I started masking up. I’m used to “make eye contact, smile, look away” as my default mode of interaction, but now I just look like I’m fuckin’ shifty.

So I’ve taken to replacing the smile with a slight bow. A small incline of the head, a little tilt of the shoulders, like I’m a regency gentleman bidding you good day.