When I walk down the halls in any given building, at any given workplace, I notice some people stare at me from a distance. Once we get within a normal speaking range, since a person is blatenly staring at me, I'll say hello, and then they either look away or look down. What is the deal with that??
2006-10-03 20:22:45 · 31 answers · asked by gallostravels 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
The same issue as saying Thank You, or excuse me please.
Rude and ugly sees to take precedence over morals and integrity.
2006-10-03 20:27:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Maybe you're living in the wrong place. In our ridiculously small town, it is failure to say hello (and wave) that is shocking. If Mr. Jones doesn't wave to Mr. Smith while passing in pickup trucks in town, Miss Rose is sure to notice and she'll call Mrs. Jones to find out what's wrong with Mr. Jones.
I intentionally made it sound terrible. It's actually kind of cool. If you're ever in a jam there's a whole neighborhood there to help you. A school principle last minute agreed to take 3 exchange students. That night we had two table saws and 12 guys helping finish the basement; the wives cleaned and organized the upstairs. Then we all sat down on the porch for drinks.
Society is what you make it. Be a neighbor.
2006-10-04 03:34:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
When you notice some people staring at you from a distance, SMILE! and once you are within normal speaking range, say "Hi, how are you doing?"
When I look at people from a distance, I will get a feeling if that person is friendly or not by seeing their reaction if I look at them and they know that also.
It's a shock if I Iook at you without a smile and then all of a sudden you say "Hello" and I'm taken back and say to myself, "Did this grouch who didn't acknowledged me before just say Hello?" It seems to me that you are a person who walks around with a frown on your face. So SMILE, at people looking at you.
2006-10-04 03:45:03 · answer #3 · answered by nannygoat 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is awkward because either you will have small talk that not many people care about, or you'll mention something like news or sports, and since the news is usually bad and sports are not watched by everyone these days all you have left is to say some personal thought, which could be seen as crazy-talk, or the easier thing to do is just say nothing.
2006-10-04 04:09:34 · answer #4 · answered by Julian 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am 62 years old, when I was at school and out with my parents the always said "hello" or "it's a grand day" or "terrible weather we are having" in passing strangers in the street. It rarely happens now and I put it down to FEAR, the uncertainty of what the reaction of the other person might be. People draw back into themselves too much in this modern age, I still greet strangers in the street who have eye contact with me with traditional greetings.
2006-10-04 04:55:32 · answer #5 · answered by Gamall 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
maybe because they're embarrased that you noticed them staring.
Or some people just dont have the courtesy to reply with a simple hello.
It does depend on where you live also.
Probably in big cities people are more reserved and wouldn't say hi to the stranger walking up to you.
But, i've lived in hawaii all my life and everyone says hi whether or not you know each other. its full of hospitality. you should vist sometime and get away from this rude manner. i think you'll really love the aloha spirit
(how did this get from an answer to your question to an ad promoting tourism? hehe)
2006-10-04 03:28:57 · answer #6 · answered by eqlar 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sweetheart that is an age old question. If you got to NYC nobody will talk to you. Everyone is on guard and focused on the task at hand.
If you go visit a Southern State in the US, let's say Georgia. Well everyone speaks and says hello, they wave at you from thier cars and they even compliment you!
I don;t know what it is about us Northerners! We just don't speak.
2006-10-04 22:22:56 · answer #7 · answered by ERICKA B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is just weird, and very rude on their part, I would have to say they just do not know any better. They were never taught that if and when you make eye contact you speak "hello" manners are going by the way side within our society.
2006-10-04 23:52:50 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're not going to like this answer.
One is taught from an early age NOT to talk to strangers, then as we start to mature and want to mingle in a social fashion, personal experience is our greatest teacher and we learn to "mind our own business", which in this Hip-Hop culture translates to ignoring each other...
I mean, why bother to get involved..., with anyone?
The "pecking order" is established in this way and the people on the "top" do not reply to anyone's salutations...
Real cool...
Real stupid...
2006-10-04 03:40:55 · answer #9 · answered by Number1son 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It was nice years ago in the "good old days" when you could meet someone eye and say "hello". Times have changed. Now if you say hello, and the other person is a pervert , he will follow you all over because he misunderstood your hello. You really can't safely smile at a stranger anymore. Very sad.
2006-10-04 03:29:05 · answer #10 · answered by tobinmbsc 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well this is probably because of where you live in the US. Here in the South everyone says hi to everyone they see. They even strike up conversations with strangers while waiting in the elevator, or long line. I guess it is just the Southern Hospitality.
2006-10-04 21:35:29 · answer #11 · answered by KK 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋