LAST week, I was standing in a shop mulling over which pair of shoes to buy, when an older lady walked over and patted me on the shoulder.

When it became apparent that she wasn’t asking for directions or assistance, my mind quickly explored the possibilities.

It sounds horribly cynical, but after years of watching The Real Hustle, I honestly assumed that her approach was a distraction for someone who would then snatch my bag from me.

Instead, the lady said that she thought I had a lovely smile, and that I shouldn’t stop smiling for anyone.

I immediately felt guilty for making such cynical assumptions about the woman – she was being genuinely kind and the fact that I had judged her to be a potential thief said far more about me than it did about her.

This got me thinking about how I behave in public.

I always cover the card machine and glare around me whenever I punch in my PIN, scared that if I don’t the man behind me (who, in my eyes is always a criminal mastermind) will memorise my PIN number, steal my card and empty my account.

Anybody who compliments my outfit is out to sell something and if a waitress smiles she’s after a tip.

We’re a cynical nation, and it’s about time that changed.

I came away from the shop not only with a new pair of shoes but also a very guilty conscience.

I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. I am always moaning about those shop assistants who follow my friends and I around... just because we are teenagers in a shop doesn’t mean we’re going to steal.

But on that day I did exactly what those shop assistants do to me.

So, if anything, this column this week is not a rant, but a plea. Even if you forget this in 10 minutes’ time, do something selfless in those 10 minutes.

Because the whole world is obsessed with getting things done for them, and moving on. But if everybody, just once in a while, took the time out to do something entirely selfless perhaps then we would all see the stupidity of our everyday actions.

The constant paranoia and cynicism is mostly in our heads, and although some incidents obviously are an exception to that rule, we shouldn’t let that blight our view of society as a whole.

So, instead of keeping your head down and just walking: smile at strangers, swap places in a queue with someone who looks to be in a rush, tell someone you like their hair.

Go on, make someone’s day... just like that lady made mine.

EMILY HALL