My mum gets angry when i walk into a room and greet people i know simply with 'hello' or 'good afternoon' but if there are 2 or more people in the room its a bit silly to say hello person number 1, hello person number 2, hello person number 3.. Am i wrong or right???
2007-09-01 09:24:27 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
She probably wouldn't like to claim me as a child, then ... whenever I walk into a room with more than one person, I just cheerily say, "Hey, Peoples!" and go on doing whatever I'm doing. So far, nobody's tried to line me up in front of a firing squad over it.
Mothers get angry at the strangest things. And they put you on the spot over the strangest things! I'm already a person who don't feel too comfortable around people I don't know. I mean, I generally don't open up until I'm at least familiar with you. That means a MINIMUM of three to five visitations with you. My mother, on the other hand, is an EXTREMELY sociable person. I mean, she knows everybody and their brother! And if she doesn't know you, she wants to know who your people are: "Who's your people, baby?" If your last name remotely resembles the last names of any of the people she's descended from, she insists we're all related ... even if YOU don't think so! She'll FIND a family link ... even if she has to create one!!! God's honest truth, she'll strike up a conversation with 'Mack the Happy Crackhead' on a park bench! So, when she's in a room with Great Aunt Leola twice removed, who I haven't seen since I was two years old, she tries her darndest to make me remember her, AND to get me to be sociable to her!!!
That's WAY too much close for comfort, and she won't just leave it at, "No, Mama, I don't remember Great Aunt Leola twice removed". No, she's gonna MAKE me remember! "Don't you remember, baby ... she burped you and changed your diapers, and even took care of you and your sisters when I was in the hospital!" Mom, I was two!
Anyways ... of course, that may have been a slight exaggeration, but I think you get the picture. You won't change your mum, of course ... you just need to find a way to co-exist with her. If you stand your ground a few times, she might get the picture. Just say, "Hey, peoples" a few times, or, if you want to be more formal, "Hello, everybody!"
And if she gives you trouble afterwards, just remind her - in private, of course, and with a cheery attitude - that you CAN start saying, "Top o' the morn, ol' chaps!" If that doesn't shut her up ... I don't know what will!
Good luck, and God bless!!!
2007-09-01 10:29:10 · answer #1 · answered by Jewels 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think its that bad but I personally greet everyone separately with a hug and kiss, my little girl just says hi everyone or hello to whoever addresses her..she is 7. I only got into the habit since I've become a christian but it does take a awful long time saying hello and also goodbye.
2007-09-02 17:01:04 · answer #2 · answered by Sazzy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well as long as you say hello that`s the main thing. Personally i think it`s a bit formal to greet everyone individually. Is your Mum like Hyacinth Bucket? As long as my kids make the effort to say hello to my friends then i`m happy with that.
2007-09-01 16:34:39 · answer #3 · answered by Sir Bobby`s Hairdresser 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello, i guess you could try saying hello everyone are you all ok? that way you include everyone in the room and ure mum cant really say you have left anyone out . hope it works , i wouldnt say you are wrong greeting people ure way maybe ure mum just has old fashioned ways .
2007-09-01 16:35:23 · answer #4 · answered by her with the mad ginger hair 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it just depends what you are used too.
I visit part of my company that is in France and there, every morning (or any meeting), when someone comes into the room, that person goes around, shakes everybodys hand and says 'Hello'.
This happens every day, even though they have known each other for years. (Anyone new does it as well).
It's a really good practise in my opinion.
2007-09-01 16:38:00 · answer #5 · answered by Bill N 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I tend to think one greeting is enough, as long as you smile/shake hands with/ or just make eye contact with all the people in turn, so they all feel like you're talking to them.
As long as no one feels ignored, then it shouldn't be impolite.
But then again, mum's know what they're talking about, and do you really want to upset her over something so small? (I don't think anyone else would think you were silly if you greeted them individually. They probably wouldn't notice.)
2007-09-01 16:35:41 · answer #6 · answered by guest 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right. A collective hello, taking in everyone with your glance, is quite acceptable. As long as it doesn't look as if you are focussing on one person and ignoring another its fine.
Your mum sounds like a wannabe snob. No offence, as mine was too and I recognise the signs.
2007-09-01 16:36:48 · answer #7 · answered by boojumuk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Enter the room, give a warm smile with a hello and glance at everyone.. its fine why not? Yes one shall do
2007-09-01 16:38:02 · answer #8 · answered by im_aCrazyCat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe she would be happy if you said 'hello everybody'!
I live in france and not only is it polite to say hello to everybody but you have to kiss them on each cheek too. If you arrive late at a party it can take bloody ages to get to the bar!!!
2007-09-01 16:33:59 · answer #9 · answered by Fluffy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're right. Your mum should be happy you say 'hello', I never did until I got to be 31.
2007-09-01 18:44:22 · answer #10 · answered by Acai 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋