Do you greet strangers or ignore everyone?

yoda313 · Moderator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: sector 001

So do you say hello to people you don't know while out taking a walk? Or do you simply gaze past them and ignore them?

Most of the time I'll say a quick hello or at the very least nod in their direction as I walk by. So are you pleasant and outgoing or a grinch to the general public????
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Xylob the Destroyer · Melkor Joined: 18 Sep 2004 Location: Earth, for now

Again, need to be able to pick more than one option....
I picked the last one, but the 4th is also applicable.
I'm not antisocial, I'm asocial.
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JohnnyMalaria · Member Joined: 29 May 2006 Location: United States

Typically, it depends on the situation.

Personally, I believe it has a lot to do with the population density of where you happen to be.

I grew up in a very densely populated place and pretty much nobody said anything to anyone during the normal course of walking outside.

Now, however, I live in a very rural area and it's normal to say something to just about everyone you come across.

Whenever I go back to where I grew up, I find myself talking to the checkout staff in supermarkets etc - at first, they seem very shocked and taken aback with this but, very quickly, they get past the rarity of a customer actually talking to them and they then seem genuinely delighted that someone has bothered to talk with them!

Soopafresh · Craptastic Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Location: United States

As I live in a highly urban area, I need to determine if the person I am passing is sane. Hard to tell with cell phone earpieces these days. Even then, it is usually half a "hello" -> "Hey.." and a nod, because most people are checking to see if YOU are crazy.

gadgetguy · Contestant Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Location: Michigan, USA

I picked that I say hello most of the time, but I seldom actually say 'hello'. I usually acknowledge their presence in some way or another. Sometimes just a nod of the head, sometimes a 'good morning', sometimes 'hey'. Sometimes just a smile. But I seldom just ignore others.
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Mr. Dweezel · Posted: Mar 19, 2007 22:15

People don't even look at each other anymore.

They are too consumed with the electronic gadget that they are
clutching tightly in their fist.
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mats.hogberg · Modded Morloc Joined: 17 Jul 2002 Location: Sweden (PAL)

What? Say "Hello!" to strangers in the street? I'd think I meet about 500 persons on my 15 minute way to work each morning - Should I say "Hi!" and "Hello!" to each, not only would I be late for work, I'd be considered a wierdo.
I greet people I know.

/Mats
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hech54 · CONFUSED Joined: 26 Jul 2001 Location: Yank in Europe

Just to cute women...

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Epicurus8a · Posted: Mar 20, 2007 06:13

I usually try to greet everyone, even if they're jerks.

Xylob the Destroyer · Melkor Joined: 18 Sep 2004 Location: Earth, for now

TooLFooL · Disgustipated Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Location: USA

lordsmurf · Posted: Mar 20, 2007 21:16

Where I used to live, the only stranger-to-stranger interaction tended to be "what the fuck are you looking at, asshole?" So you not only didn't say anything, you didn't even look at each other.

These days, however, I live in a more rural area where people not only say "hi" but they remember my name after one chance meeting, and they want to strike up full conversations in passing. It's an adjustment, to say the least.
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Conquest10 · Thread Killer Joined: 05 Sep 2002 Location: Chicago, IL

oldfart13 · Member Joined: 09 Nov 2000 Location: Canada

Yes, population density as well as how long you have lived in a particular location and the people you meet along the way really do determine your response. The city I live in is only about 100,000 population but the area I live in is pretty close knit (I've been in this particular area for 35 years). Saying 'hello' to passersby is pretty natural up here. The only reservations I have is with drunks and druggies since you don't know what their reaction will be. Everyone else including dogs being walked by their owners gets a 'hello'.....