Wishing someone "good morning" and getting a blank stare

[Anonymous]

Why is it so hard for so many men to return a social greeting? Or at least smile? I'm not trying to start a conversation, start an affair, or borrow money.

[Anonymous]

I know, I agree with you completely. It just seems that so many people either think the worst like you said, ir it's just that they simply can't be bothered, what, with their really busy, super important lives to take half of a second to utter a polite response. It's sad.

[Anonymous]

Eh. So many people in this town are secretly miserable. There was a thread about this a few days ago. "I look happy on the outside but what people don't know is. . ." Read it. Then you'll know why people in this town are so cranky. I say hello and smile anyway. Doesn't hurt.

[Anonymous]

Don't fret.
Many people are not at their best when starting the workday.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I hate this. I assume people have social disorders or phobias if they can't even muster a good morning or a freakin' smile. One of the biggest reasons we moved out of our old building was because of the coldness of the other tenants. When the elevator door would open up, they'd awkwardly stand right in front of it. I once had to say, You need to move so I can get off. Un-freakin-believable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't fret.
Many people are not at their best when starting the workday.

This. Between 8:30 and 9:30am during the week, I am pretty much a zombie. After waking up at 5am going to the gym, packing lunches, making breakfast and getting two kids out of the house all I want to do is veg and block out the world. Honestly, if someone said good morning to me during that time I probably would not hear much less answer.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

I was raised to be neurotic and suspicious of everyone (why yes, my mother DOES have issues!) and we never talked to anyone we didn't know. So once I became an adult, it took several years to get used to the fact that perfectly nice strangers may say good morning or otherwise casually chat with me in elevators and they weren't freaks.

I just started initiating good mornings a couple of years ago, and I'm in my mid 30's.

[Anonymous]

Why is it so hard for so many men to return a social greeting? Or at least smile? I'm not trying to start a conversation, start an affair, or borrow money.

It helps if you aren't pretty. I am not pretty and men always say hello back to me.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to D.C. Check your manners at the door.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Welcome to D.C. Check your manners at the door.

This made me laugh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Welcome to D.C. Check your manners at the door.

This made me laugh

Southern efficiency and northern hospitality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I hate this. I assume people have social disorders or phobias if they can't even muster a good morning or a freakin' smile. One of the biggest reasons we moved out of our old building was because of the coldness of the other tenants. When the elevator door would open up, they'd awkwardly stand right in front of it. I once had to say, You need to move so I can get off. Un-freakin-believable.

On a similar note, we have neighbors near us who have never made an effort to be friendly at all. You can be working in your yard or ride by in your car and acknowledge them with a quick wave and they act like you're invisible.

I'm really not looking to be bffs, but it's pretty sad when you can't even acknowledge your neighbors. What is wrong with people? We pretty much have given up and keep to ourselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was raised to be neurotic and suspicious of everyone (why yes, my mother DOES have issues!) and we never talked to anyone we didn't know. So once I became an adult, it took several years to get used to the fact that perfectly nice strangers may say good morning or otherwise casually chat with me in elevators and they weren't freaks.

I just started initiating good mornings a couple of years ago, and I'm in my mid 30's.

I'm suspicious of everyone too. Yet I say hello. Then I think "he looks like a real serial killer." Some people do not want to be bothered though. I can respect that.