People who don't say 'Hello'
Discussion
I take daily walks in my local park, often early in the mornings when there are few people in there, just the odd dog walker etc. If I go in later in the day it can be quite busy.
On those easy morning walks when there's hardly anyone there I usually say 'Hello' to anyone I pass, out of politeness, but I'd say about 50% of them completely blank me and offer nothing back. That's up to them, maybe they have social issues, or maybe I look like a crazy madman etc? But I find it strange that some people can be so ignorant by blanking someone who says hello. If someone says it to me then I smile and say hello back. It's basic manners.
It's different if the park is busy as saying hello to everyone would be weird. Or maybe I am?
On those easy morning walks when there's hardly anyone there I usually say 'Hello' to anyone I pass, out of politeness, but I'd say about 50% of them completely blank me and offer nothing back. That's up to them, maybe they have social issues, or maybe I look like a crazy madman etc? But I find it strange that some people can be so ignorant by blanking someone who says hello. If someone says it to me then I smile and say hello back. It's basic manners.
It's different if the park is busy as saying hello to everyone would be weird. Or maybe I am?
I sometimes see people saying hello to others, when the person they are trying to talk to has earbuds in or headphones on - most likely they can't hear anything with music playing, so are unlikely to respond.
Or they may be on the phone talking to someone using bluetooth to their earphones. I fairly often hear people walking around muttering, apparently to themselves, until they are close and you can see they have earbuds in and they are on the phone.
Or they may be on the phone talking to someone using bluetooth to their earphones. I fairly often hear people walking around muttering, apparently to themselves, until they are close and you can see they have earbuds in and they are on the phone.
I always look to see if they are wearing earbuds, and I wont say hello if they are.
I get the occasional nice person who gives a really friendly hello in return, or who might even say it first. They tend to make up for the ignorant ones so I suppose it balances out. But I still find it strange that some people can be so ignorant. Though for all I know they could be autistic and struggle socially with people, maybe me saying hello to them causes them stress or they just don't know how to handle that situation?.
There's a fine balancing point as to how many people have to be about as to whether I find it comfortable to day hello, without coming across as weird. Though I don't know what that number is
I get the occasional nice person who gives a really friendly hello in return, or who might even say it first. They tend to make up for the ignorant ones so I suppose it balances out. But I still find it strange that some people can be so ignorant. Though for all I know they could be autistic and struggle socially with people, maybe me saying hello to them causes them stress or they just don't know how to handle that situation?.
There's a fine balancing point as to how many people have to be about as to whether I find it comfortable to day hello, without coming across as weird. Though I don't know what that number is
I grew up in a city and then moved to a tiny village with fewer than 200 people, I'd never experienced people saying hello just in passing before and it was really rather strange. The first time it happened I thought what are they saying hello for, what are they after? Obviously it's quite nice and one of the reasons I'd never go back.
Think it depends on multiple factors; where you are, what you are doing, time of day etc.
I've lived in small villages/towns in the Midlands and the North and saying hello is pretty common if there are few people around.
When I was in central London not so much at any time of day, too busy & would look a bit odd to acknowledge a person at random.
Currently in a small mid-Essex town, and say hello to the few folks out & about early morning/evening especially I'm walking the dog in parks or fields & they are doing the same. Don't bother in the day.
I've lived in small villages/towns in the Midlands and the North and saying hello is pretty common if there are few people around.
When I was in central London not so much at any time of day, too busy & would look a bit odd to acknowledge a person at random.
Currently in a small mid-Essex town, and say hello to the few folks out & about early morning/evening especially I'm walking the dog in parks or fields & they are doing the same. Don't bother in the day.
Sheets Tabuer said:
I grew up in a city and then moved to a tiny village with fewer than 200 people, I'd never experienced people saying hello just in passing before and it was really rather strange. The first time it happened I thought what are they saying hello for, what are they after? Obviously it's quite nice and one of the reasons I'd never go back.
My wife grew up in North London (Camden/Chalk Farm area).When we first met, I took her up to a village in the Peak District near where I used to live and she couldn't believe that strangers acknowledged each other on the street
I will usually say hallo if I've seen someone previously or have eye contact with. I also find it quite strange when people ignore you when I say hallo. I do understand that some people are a little shy or socially awkward though. If I do get ignored then I don't try to engage with the person again.
I have a sister that actively avoids any kind of eye contact or conversation with any person she doesn't know, she will cross the street, completely change direction or even hide in bushes to avoid people that are walking towards her. Strange in my opinion but I guess we are all different.
I have a sister that actively avoids any kind of eye contact or conversation with any person she doesn't know, she will cross the street, completely change direction or even hide in bushes to avoid people that are walking towards her. Strange in my opinion but I guess we are all different.
Aren't they just referred to as NPC's (Non Player Characters) in computer games lol!
It amuses me xmas morning when everyone & anyone is offering greetings left, right & centre, yet fast forward a few days & they're all struck mute again & it's just the dog walkers / hikers etc offering greetings as they do the rest of the year.
It amuses me xmas morning when everyone & anyone is offering greetings left, right & centre, yet fast forward a few days & they're all struck mute again & it's just the dog walkers / hikers etc offering greetings as they do the rest of the year.
I say morning to most people when my daughter and I go out running.
Here in this South West town it's mostly greeted with a look of befuddlement - do I know that guy?!
We once went for a run near my mother-in-law's house in Redditch. My daughter realised then why I do it - up there everyone responded without fail!
Here in this South West town it's mostly greeted with a look of befuddlement - do I know that guy?!
We once went for a run near my mother-in-law's house in Redditch. My daughter realised then why I do it - up there everyone responded without fail!
The "saying" of it in the first place depends how busy a situation is. It would be absurd to walk up Oxford St saying hello to everyone.
The "responding" is fine IMO even if it's a slight nod or a small hand gesture.
On the other hand some people are either downright anti-social or just socially inadequate.
The "responding" is fine IMO even if it's a slight nod or a small hand gesture.
On the other hand some people are either downright anti-social or just socially inadequate.
Very context specific.
My daily walk route involves country lanes where 99% of the time everybody exchanges a cheery “hello”. The last section is on a quiet, treelined road with pavements.
Trying saying “hello” there and you get looks indicating you’re about to be reported to the authorities.
It is quite a British thing, too. In Germany for example - hardly the friendliest place - if you get into a lift at work, there’s a greeting. Get into a lift in Germany with fellow Brits and the resulting awkwardness at one sided greetings is a sight to behold.
My daily walk route involves country lanes where 99% of the time everybody exchanges a cheery “hello”. The last section is on a quiet, treelined road with pavements.
Trying saying “hello” there and you get looks indicating you’re about to be reported to the authorities.
It is quite a British thing, too. In Germany for example - hardly the friendliest place - if you get into a lift at work, there’s a greeting. Get into a lift in Germany with fellow Brits and the resulting awkwardness at one sided greetings is a sight to behold.
Was thinking the same thing the other day, it takes a fair bit of effort to completely blank someone when they are talking to you, they can't all be autistic either, but they can't all be ignorant 
s too! No idea what's happening in their heads. I'm very much of the Buddy the Elf when it comes to people saying hello.
s too! No idea what's happening in their heads. I'm very much of the Buddy the Elf when it comes to people saying hello.Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff