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!!!!!!

This is sooo weird to me. These responses about how deep you are in your thoughts, you're not a morning person, but I bet you are like this EVERY day. Oprah had a show once where service people said how depressed they were to interact with customers, how people could barely say hello, get off their cellphones, etc.

For myself, I can't not say something back (though I'm usually the one to say good morning, not overly-chipper, but matter of fact). But, I'm generally a happy person, and in to the world around me. People live longer and are healthier when they are engaged with people and the world.

(But, it's obviously rude for people to say "smile." If you could look at it objectively, maybe you don't see the way you're coming off.)

I don't say hello to strange men, big egos in this town, the fools think you are interested in them or something.