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Why a stranger's hello can do more than just brighten your day

Before Gillian Sandstrom became a psychologist, she was a computer programmer. When she decided to pursue a degree in psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University, she felt like she didn't fit in. On her daily walk from one university building to another, Sandstrom would pass a hot dog stand. "I never bought a hot dog, but every time I walked past, I would smile and wave at her and she'd smile and wave at me," she says. This brief exchange with a stranger made her feel less isolated.