Is it an American thing or what?

Question

i came to america about 4 years ago, and i am still getting accustomed to the american culture. Often times,when i enter a store and say good morning or good afternoon'to the salesperson i am usually seen as an alien or don't get an answer back. Is Hi/ Bye better accepted than Good morning/good afternoon/Good Evening ?

In my culture, i was raised to greet everyone i meet everywhere i go. How is that seen in America ?

I am from former french colony, Haiti.

Thanks for all the great and considerate reponses !

Answer 1

I am from the Northern part of the United States, and I always greet people with a good morning or afternoon or what ever time of day it is. and I get the same back. Continue to do what you are doing.. and despite what someone posted, NOT ALL northerners are rude or cold.

Answer 2

Perfectly natural to greet the salesperson. Probably Hi and Bye would be better. Possibly your greeting seems too formal as if it is the prelude to a lengthy exchange. They probably want to keep it short. But surely at least a few must be friendly enough to inquire about your national origin, etc. ?
I have since made a study of what I actually do. I say Hi and immediately launch into the business at hand. They are not rude but impatient. Of course, learning the language you have been working double-time just to extend a greeting of any kind. I would not write them off as merely rude as most of these answerers suggest. There is plenty of rudeness too, but you are on the right track in considering brevity. When you are seen as business-like, it will encourage more spontaneity on their part.

Answer 3

I run into the same problem you mention but I have lived in the US all my life.

I can remember when I was a kid people were always very polite to each other and at least took the time to say hi and goodbye. I still go out of my way to say hi to salespeople and just strangers that I might make eye contact while walking down the street.

It's a shame that some people find this annoying -- we had new neighbors move next door a year or so ago. When they did and I saw them for the first time, I said hi, welcomed them, and told them that if they needed anything while moving, questions about the area, etc., to let me know. The response that I got was that they were not interested in making friends with any of the neighbors and they walked into their home. Needless to say, we haven't spoken to each other since.

Answer 4

It's not as typical in the United States to greet the salesperson as soon as you walk in a store. I recommend that you watch other customers as they enter and exit the store and see what they do.

As far as greetings go, hi and hello are much more common than good morning/afternoon/evening. Again, listen to other people and see what they do in certain situations.

P.S. Your English is fantastic!

Answer 5

I have raised my children to greet people be it sales people, store clerks or whom ever.. and often times they get no response from the person they are greeting as do myself at time.

I was really proud recently when we were travelling and we went into a conico type gas station late at night and my 13 year old greeted the clerk with hello, how are you. The clerk greeted him back with a smile, she turned to another employee standing beside her and said wow we hardly here polite children anymore. They were just amazed that my son spoke to them at all.

My son did not understand why the clerk was so shocked so I explained to him that some people are not raised correctly anymore so people do not see very many polite adults let alone children when they do, it amazes them.

I would continue greeting people the way you are you are doing everything right.

Answer 6

I was born and raised in American and I've noticed the same thing.

When I was younger, sales people were much more friendly, they would often say "Good Morning (etc)" first, now you speak with them and they look at you funny.

Same with telephone calls. People used to say "Hello" and "Good bye" to start and finish each call. You would also make "small talk", like "how are you, how's your family..." Now you pick up the phone, someone starts talking at you, then hangs up.

I think that manners, personal service, and just inter-personal interaction is deteriorating.
Don't know why.

Good to know I'm not the only one noticing this.

Answer 7

Welcome to America, Francia I!

I hope that your opinion of us is not judged by a few unhappy people. Sale people for one should always greet with Hello, good morning or good afternoon. All personalities are not the same and some people may not think it is a necessity. Too bad, huh, their sales would probably double with just a few words of kindness.

One the other hand, some people may feel intimidated by a strangers kindness. Being brought up not to speak to strangers may have something to do with it.

Anyway you put it, hi/bye, good morning/good evening are always important salutations.

Answer 8

I was born in Los Angeles, CA.
Depends on what state you are in. I've lived in 3 states. I know that NY & California you get some that say "Hi" to you back but most of them dont think of their etiquette. I also know that people in "the south" (virginia, Tenn, Alabama, etc...) say hi to each other when they make eye contact. I noticed that they make a small wave to each other when driving past someone on a lonely road.
I would love to visit Haiti someday. I know that people look at me strange and dont answer me at times I think is because I wear a head cover, because Im Muslim. People wont ever change. If you have not noticed yet, people are hypocrites.

Answer 9

You know what, I don't know if it's an American thing or not but this struck me as rude when I worked in retail. When your working in a place like that you are supposed to greet everyone who walks into the door and I would always get so offended when I would greet someone and they wouldn't greet me back!

I think some people are just rude and don't know proper etiquette when it comes to greeting people.

You would have been my best customer if you came into my shop!!! :)

Answer 10

You are doing the right thing but rudeness has taken over our culture. I will insist on still being polite even when so many don't get it. Don't lose your good upbringing and manners because some are insensitive and rude. In the long run, you will rule.