I say Hello to people to be nice and they ignore me or get mad , why?

Question

I live in texas. I am asian american , meaning I have lived here all my life. I noticed there are more angry people where I live. They try to give me mean stares, so instead of glaring at them back, I say hello and smile. Almost everytime I say hello and smile to someone that glares at me, they either ignore me, or get even angrier, or continue glaring at me. Why can't people at least say "hi" it's only one word. It just bugs me that people are so rude here. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Yes I have an idea. Its because they dont recognize genuine kindness when it appears. People are so caught up in their own world, their own problems that they dont let other people's kindness shed some light on their otherwise cloudy day. I do understand where you are coming from though because it is a pet peeve of mine for someone to catch your eye & when you nod & smile they dont acknowledge that. If you are gonna stare/look, at least SPEAK, smile, nod, wave, wink, something! That is rude.

Answer 2

I'm also asian amercian, and I live in Texas and have never moved. I find that my neighbors are all pretty nice, but there are some people in school that are only mean to asians. Sometimes that happens with teachers, too, like in 1st grade, there were five kids that she got in trouble, including me. I was only blowing my nose, and I don't know what the other four were doing, but there was this other asian girl and my teacher let the others go and only got us two in trouble. Talk to a phyciatrist or something. Ask those people what's wrong. Sometimes you just have to prove worthy of yourself. But sometimes people never change. Try to ignore them, and next time just smile. Good luck!

Answer 3

It's hard to say why some people act the way you describe. Some folks have internal issues, I guess, and we'll never understand everyone and their particular emotional baggage.

You're doing the right thing. Smile. Say hello. Maybe they're just shy. If it's more than that, just walk on and know you've done the right thing to make our area a better place.

I always smile at someone if I make eye contact with them. Usually, even the most dour-appearing person will smile back. Who knows? Maybe I changed their day for the better, and the smile cost me nothing.

Answer 4

Most people are surprised to be greeted in public anymore. It is getting more and more rare. At Christmas time,you would be surprised that people do a double take if you greet them with "Merry Christmas".
Also,we live in a society where you are constantly fighting the clock everyday and people are rushing here and there; Of course they will be glaring at you for greeting them. Don't worry about it. Keep greeting people and others will eventually see that it's not weird to greet you back.

Answer 5

That's just how the world is. I live up north and I have this problem sometimes. It's like if you're super nice people look at you like you're crazy where if you happen to be mean or rude then you fit right in and it's more accepted. It's really weird how that works. Just keep being how you are.

Answer 6

Well,I would say Hi to you! people are just stupid, and yes, Im sorry to say it probably does have to do with the South , where if 'It aint white, It aint right', not everyone there is like that, but there are still a lot of backwards idea's floating around there. but it happens all over, too. Just stupid, ignorant people. I like all kinds of people, You can learn something from anyone, even some grizzly, old homeless person! sorry people are being mean to you.

Answer 7

I'm asian and i don't say hello to anyone. I have no problems in that regard. being nice is a scarce commodity these days. if you are doing it to be polite then stop. if you do it bcuz it is your nature to smile and greet then keep doing regardless of others actions. or you can be like me and scowl at everyone and make sure they don't bother me. i live in dc by the way so it's kind of a prerequisite for living here.

Answer 8

If you are saying hello from the heart ;and are genuine than that should be enough.If someone responds back than that is a personal victory and keep on moving.Don't let people or places change you.Learn from the experiences and carry on. Sometimes people put their guards up because they aren't use to you ;so makes your self familiar by staying the same get it.

Answer 9

I've agreed with you. I have this feelings like a couple of times. It is takes time for them to settle in to be honest, but only you can do is say hello, at least you are doing the effort and once they got use to it, they will say hello back to you I hope. I've tried as well, but it works for me, or you could talk to them to make them understand of what you are feeling towards them. I always do that when I always liked the person who I don't know and want to talk to them. But, honestly, it's only you can make the difference, if they are not still satisfied about it, it's their loss, and at least you are so brave enough to say hi to them. Hope that will helps!

Answer 10

I am caucasian and live in Texas and get the same reaction from people. Times have changed, and not everyone wants to be greeted anymore. As another poster has said, people are trying to fight against the clock and don't think they have time to be courteous anymore. If we continue to sincerely be polite and greet people, maybe it will rub off!