WHY don't you never say "hello", or "hi" or "good morning" when you go in a little shop, and "good bye"

Question

when you go out?
I work in touch with a lot of american tourists in France (so please apologize my bad english) and 9 times on 10 they don't answer me when I say "bonjour" or "au revoir" (good morning / good bye).
At the beginning I founded it awful, but now I'm used to this, but I still don't understand.
Isn't it politeness?????????
If some of you could answer in French, that would be sooooo great!!!
Thank you for giving me a lesson of civilisation...

I don't ask them to say it in French!!!!
But thanks a lot for all your answers!! I'm happy to notice that it's not a problem with american people, but just with the tourists I see!!

Answer 1

I'm American and very shy, so I don't say hello or goodbye unless someone else says it first. If someone says "Hello" I will reply politely. However, rarely RARELY do I ever initiate this, even where I'm well-known. I don't even talk to neighbors. It's not out of arrogance, not at all. I'm not better than anyone else. I don't talk because I keep to myself, that's all. My life is very quiet.

Btw, if no one is saying hello or goodbye, this isn't necessarily rude. What's rude is dictated by societal norms. If normally a society says hello and goodbye, then silence would be rude. However, if a society is quieter, then silence is fine.

Middle Eastern men greet each other with cheek kisses, but they do not even shake a woman's hand. Are they gay? Do they prefer kissing each other and do they not even want to touch women? No, not at all. It's a cultural thing to greet each other with cheek kisses, and men & women do not touch unless they're family. We can't take our own culture and make it the standard for all cultures, because there are so many cultures, all different, none superior. This is called cultural relativity, and people from all over the world do it.

Answer 2

I have never found that to be so.We greet each other politely in these situations.I have done a lot of traveling and I found more that people in other countries have a chip on their shoulders against us.They are rude to us and make us feel uncomfortable.And before you get on your high horse.I was born in Germany.My Mom is German and My dad American Norwegian.As a child and teen I was treated very badly in some countries and even spit on just because I was an American.I was raised with manners and to be kind and polite.Maybe those Americans were treated badly in your country and are feeling a bit insecure.I have also found when we do try to speak in other languages in other countries we are made fun of and you snicker openly at us.I don't believe I have ever seen a tourist here treated as badly as i have been treated on my travels.So maybe more understanding and kinds on everyones part is necessary and maybe its Not just all us dumb Americans.....

Answer 3

I don't think that it has anything to do with a nation or culture, it's in those people who are visiting your shop.

I am an American woman, and I do say "Hello" and "Good-bye" or 'Have a nice day".

I'd hate to say that maybe these stupid tourists that are visiting your Country don't speak or understand the language - which to me would be stupid. I've never been to France, but I do live near Mexico. When I do travel there, I do my best to speak Spanish, as I do not EXPECT them to speak English.

Sorry that this is not in French.

Answer 4

It's nice that you do have good manners, because I hate it when I come in a shop and I say 'hi' and the attendant won't reply...... in France and in every other country...... So I usually don't say "hi" when I go in the shop unless the attendant greets me, in which case I definitely do greet them back even though I don't speak the local language. In Poland and Czech Rep I used to answer just "HI"...... I think that's universal and everyone understands it, even if it's not in the native language and especially if it's a place that's used to hosting tourists....

Bonsoir, a bientot!

Answer 5

Thats too bad that us Americans don't say hello and goodbye when in little shops...thats terrible!

I guess it depends on the person and they may also be shy and afraid to speak the native language because they may think they sound funny saying it....

I always say hello when going into little places like that and even at big flea markets to the people at the tables...its a shame not to and is just nice to do!

So a big hello bonjour to you for all of us who haven't said hello!

Answer 6

This again is a matter of proper etiquette. I always greet people in the smaller shops and thank them as I leave even if I didn't buy anything. When we travel, I learn as many of the most commonly used words and sentences as I can to be able to address people in shops there politely as well.

Answer 7

No one can speak for everybody or a country or culture, but I can say I personally always say hi, good morning etc. You cant generalize people, just like I have always heard french people are rude and hate americans, I never listened those comments and no one else should either.

Take care and God Bless.

Answer 8

I am American & I always greet people, especially in the type of situation you mention.

It is sad that people can't take the time to utter a simple hello to a stranger. Even if you don't understand the language you can smile and wave.

Answer 9

possible as tourists they don't know french well enough. I must admite I would not be confidant to say it in french and would only generally say it in a shop where I go often and know the staff.

Answer 10

I'm not sure.. I actually usually greet the workers when I enter a shop, and wish them a good day or simply say "good bye" on my way out.