NUM51 We should greet every man with a pleasant facial expression. Bearing in mind that we are required to emulate God, what is the practical application of this verse? Shamai said: "Greet every man with a pleasant expression of countenance" (Pirke Avos 1:15). There are three parts to this statement: 1) Countenance: The minimum you should do is turn your face toward your fellowman. You should not greet anyone with the side of your face. When your fellow man (or your father or your wife) enters the room, you should not display your profile, but should turn your full countenance toward him. 2) Expression: it is not enough to confront people within expressionless countenance which has no more character than the bottom of a pan. You must face your fellow man with a countenance which denotes interest. 3) Pleasant. In addition to the above, one's countenance should also be pleasant. Since God deals with man measure for measure (Sotah 8b), God makes His Face shine upon those whose face is shining to their fellow man. (Rabbi Avigdor Miller in Sing, You Righteous, pp. 291-2). ... Rabbi Masaya, the son of Chorosh, said, "Take the initiative in greeting any man you meet" (Pirke Avos 4:20). There are various reasons why a person might hesitate to greet others before he is greeted. One is conceit. There are people who feel that to maintain their dignity they must wait until the other person greets them first. Others are afraid to be the first to greet someone because of a sense of insecurity. They are afraid that they will receive only an icy stare in return for their token of friendship. Whatever the reason, such behavior is wrong. You should always take the initiative to greet others. The Talmud (Brochos 17a) relates that no one ever greeted Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai first, not even a heathen in the marketplace. This rule is especially important if you meet someone who bears you entity or is simply not on the best of terms with you. By greeting such a person pleasantly, you might be able to break down the barriers of misunderstanding and bitterness which separate you. There is nothing as potent as a smile in melting icy walls of hate. (Ethics of Sinai, vol. 2, pp. 141-2). ... If someone greets you, you are obligated to return the greeting. Failure to do so is tantamount to stealing. (Brochos 6b).