Wishing someone "good morning" and getting a blank stare

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes I'm really deep in my own thoughts, and by the time I register that someone has said hello and I should respond it's too late. I do think it's nice when people say hello or good morning, and I often do so myself. I hate it when I'm thinking and someone, usually a man, shouts "SMILE!" Not pleasant, not nice.

+1

SMILE!! DO IT!! NOW!!! I NEED TO SEE THAT YOU'RE HAPPY!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of people aren't expecting a greeting, and they're wrapped up in their own thoughts (or headphones or whatever). A lot of neighbors walk past me while I'm with my kid at the bus stop, and if I say "Mornin'," I get ignored/not heard more than half the time. If I say, "Good morning!" with a smile, people tend to notice more and reply pleasantly.

All of which is to say, people may not be hearing you or processing your words. Be clearer (enunciation, volume), and/or don't sweat it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of people aren't expecting a greeting, and they're wrapped up in their own thoughts (or headphones or whatever). A lot of neighbors walk past me while I'm with my kid at the bus stop, and if I say "Mornin'," I get ignored/not heard more than half the time. If I say, "Good morning!" with a smile, people tend to notice more and reply pleasantly.

All of which is to say, people may not be hearing you or processing your words. Be clearer (enunciation, volume), and/or don't sweat it.

It's hard for me to believe that when someone is looking away from me, looks at me in response to my "Good morning," and then looks away without response or smile, they haven't noticed me. It certainly appears that their decision to ignore me was deliberate. The overall impression given off is as if the person has said "I do not want to respond; I am too busy with my own thoughts to take the time for social niceties for YOU."

[Anonymous]

many people are shy.
Greeting and talking to strangers is creepy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:many people are shy.
Greeting and talking to strangers is creepy

Who the hell is talking about a stranger? I'm the OP and I'm talking about passing colleagues at work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it works both ways. My husband said when he says Good Morning to women they often act like he's trying to hit on them.

It's likely considered old-fashioned now, but men were never supposed to start a conversation with an unknown woman. Just like they aren't supposed to offer their hand for a handshake first. This gives the woman the option of either speaking or shaking hands if she wants to, and saves her from having to engage in conversation with some creepy guy.

But I find it funny that anyone has these problems. I didn't think people in DC talked to strangers. Ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes I'm really deep in my own thoughts, and by the time I register that someone has said hello and I should respond it's too late. I do think it's nice when people say hello or good morning, and I often do so myself. I hate it when I'm thinking and someone, usually a man, shouts "SMILE!" Not pleasant, not nice.

+1

SMILE!! DO IT!! NOW!!! I NEED TO SEE THAT YOU'RE HAPPY!!!!!!

I am virtually certain a woman has never said this to you. It is ALWAYS a man.

[Anonymous]

Why are so many so paranoid that they think anyone would actually want something from someone saying hello? What the hell happened to you in your rotten life that this is such a big deal? This is unbelievable to me. I see it all the time and I think it is laughable.

It is especially popular in this town to give a rude look. Which makes me laugh even harder. In their face. It is such odd behavior for someone to walk around in life being so paranoid. Surely that many people can not possibly have been crime victims? Wow!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes I'm really deep in my own thoughts, and by the time I register that someone has said hello and I should respond it's too late. I do think it's nice when people say hello or good morning, and I often do so myself. I hate it when I'm thinking and someone, usually a man, shouts "SMILE!" Not pleasant, not nice.

This describes me also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes I'm really deep in my own thoughts, and by the time I register that someone has said hello and I should respond it's too late. I do think it's nice when people say hello or good morning, and I often do so myself. I hate it when I'm thinking and someone, usually a man, shouts "SMILE!" Not pleasant, not nice.

+1

SMILE!! DO IT!! NOW!!! I NEED TO SEE THAT YOU'RE HAPPY!!!!!!

I am virtually certain a woman has never said this to you. It is ALWAYS a man.

Yes, I have only heard men say that. Guess it is uncomfortable for them to see an unsmiling woman.

[Anonymous]

I'm shy. For colleagues say hi (insert name here) then they can't ignore you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Why are so many so paranoid that they think anyone would actually want something from someone saying hello? What the hell happened to you in your rotten life that this is such a big deal? This is unbelievable to me. I see it all the time and I think it is laughable.

It is especially popular in this town to give a rude look. Which makes me laugh even harder. In their face. It is such odd behavior for someone to walk around in life being so paranoid. Surely that many people can not possibly have been crime victims? Wow!

So you've never had someone follow up "hi" by hitting on you aggressively/threateningly, exposing himself, asking you for money, trying to convince you to do something crazy and unsafe (say, travel with stranger to another location), or just generally acting crazy? Because I've experienced all of those things. I'm still pretty friendly, but only on my own terms. This stuff happens to me a lot less as I approach middle age, but in my experience young women experience a high level of street harassment.

[Anonymous]

21:44 - this is PP. Of course I have, as has everyone I know! It didn't send us over the due never to return from crazy, however. Wow.

[Anonymous]

due=edge

[Anonymous]

Out comes the cray-cray. Because *everyone* must be an ax murderer (cue Psycho music here).