In winter time people look even less at other people than during the summer. Of course you only notice this if you look at people and find out they don't look back at you in return. They are too occupied staring at the ground where their feet try to steer their way safely over the ice which, admittedly, is very slippery indeed. But is walking safely really worth such a complete lack of communication? What's a smile worth? Is it not even worth the small risk of lifting your head for a second to look at someone passing by? OUr society stops talking, smiling, looking and flirting with strangers during winter because communication is so thoroughly based on looks and smiles. And isn't being looked at and smiled at by people we like what we love most?