Mimilly, I know what you mean...
When someone looks a bit crusty around the edges, sad or just hardened by life...I like to smile at them and treat them warmly.
I have a grumpy old neighbor next door who bites everyone's head off... he screamed out the window many times about my dog who was yapping at cars (my dog is hardly ever outdoors). I had put up with his yelling for a few weeks....I thought of going over and telling him off, but wondered how he got so sad in his life. I figured he must be pretty bitter about life....I also noticed I never saw anyone visit him, no grandkids, relatives, nothing.
So I made some banana bread with a nice note and left it on his doorstep. A few days later I see him walking out to his car and he smiles at me. 'Thanks sweetie for the bread. I know I can be an ass sometimes... I sure hope you didnt poison it!!' We both started laughing and he got in his car with a huge smile. Knowing I rose above the situation and acted with love made me realize how much my attitude and actions affect my happiness. And that made me smile.