Strangers might smile at you for various reasons, including finding you attractive.
According to one perspective, particularly from a male viewpoint, the reason for a stranger's smile could be based on attraction.
- Visual Appreciation: Men may glance or stare, and if caught, they might smile to signal harmless appreciation. This is noted in the reference: "Males can't help being visual...they give a smile to let you know they meant no harm and just appreciated what they saw." (15-Aug-2018)
Therefore, a stranger's smile may simply be an acknowledgement of your presence, a sign of friendliness, or potentially an indication of attraction.
