Do you say hello to a stranger if you make eye contact? Or do you say nothing?

Question

I have noticed that people don't greet. Take this morning... I am sitting out side the department office. And several people I made eye contact with and I said Hello as they passed by and I caught them off guard... If I had not have spoken to them they would not have spoke to me and we were looking dead in each others faces... Whats up with that? Tomarrow when I am waiting for the Head of the Department to open the office 10mins late... I will see the same people walking to their class and I am going to see if they speak or not...
Be Polite to your fellow Man

Answer 1

I say hello to strangers when I make contact also, just a friendly Hello too, nothing to extravagant. Usually I get a rude grin (usually made by a woman thinking she's better than everyone), rolling eyes or a look like "What the heck are you saying Hi to me for?" People have lost all manners. And also, I was in the store the other day pushing a cart, said "Excuse Me" to this lady and she just looked at me! It was like she didn't speak English or something, I don't know but people are rude nowadays.

Answer 2

Do you say hello to a stranger if you make eye contact? Or do you say nothing?

I have noticed that people don't greet. Take this morning... I am sitting out side the department office. And several people I made eye contact with and I said Hello as they passed by and I caught them off guard... If I had not have spoken to them they would not have spoke to me and we were looking dead in each others faces... Whats up with that? Tomarrow when I am waiting for the Head of the Department to open the office 10mins late... I will see the same people walking to their class and I am going to see if they speak or not...
Be Polite to your fellow Man

Answer 3

Depends on the place. Here in San Diego, I've noticed, people are so focused on where they are going, it's almost awkward to say hello or good morning out of nowhere walking down the street. Getting on an elevator or waiting at a light, I have the habit of saying hello or nodding, but not just passing people on the street. But, in Arizona where my mom lives, people wave from their cars, say hello everywhere, it's way different. I was born in Santa Barbara, and I'd say it's way more relaxed and layed back and I remember walking to work in the mornings there or on the way to school and people saying good morning so that's what I'm used to. I wish people were like that here, but SD is NOT typical SO.CAL attitude, they're very hustle and bustle here like New York and Nor. Cal. It all depends on where you go I guess, but I don't care and I still say hello to strangers!

Where do you live?

Answer 4

Many people are absorbed in their jobs even as they walk the halls at work. You should be too. There's times for socializing at work which come naturally, but I wouldn't consider it impolite because someone walks by you without saying hello. Like the Godfather said in the movie, don't take it personally, "it's just business".

Answer 5

Yes, this is true, but you continue to B U and speak anyway!! This happens a lot 2 me on elevators. Everybody is all close to one another and no one speaks. Not, "How about those Yankees..." or "Nice weather....".....NOTHING!! 2 B Honest, sometimes I'm shy, but I'll at least manage to smile and nod if I make eye contact with another person. Geez!

Answer 6

I usually just smile, sometimes I'll say hello if I feel that kind of "hello" vibe from the person but I'm afraid to say I usually just give them a passing smile. Your right, I should say hello no matter what.

Answer 7

we are not in a very social society anymore i think. people are in their own worlds and avoid any kind of confrontation. sometimes i do it, if i am not in a good mood or something i am not going to fake it, sorry, but that's just me. i just don't make eye contact and that's the end of it. you can't be nice to everyone all the time, that is not reality!

Answer 8

uurrgghhh! the many times strangers like to make eye contact with me. I just roll my eyes away from them with a not-so-friendly look on my face. but if my senses tell me it is a nice and friendly person, i give them a weak smile....

Answer 9

i have had this ensue, and this is uncomfortable to me. No smiles or tries to commence verbal replace, purely staring, is wierd and variety of creepy. I continually ended up searching down or away at something else. You not in any respect comprehend what that different individual extremely has occurring of their recommendations.

Answer 10

I am the same way. when someone is looking straight at me, I also say hello. it does seem funny, you will say hello and then the person will say nothing. people are in such a hurry, that they forget manners.