Me and my b/f (we are both very friendly people) can't stand it when you pass someone whether it be on the street or in the hall way at work...etc and they put their head down or totally look the other way when passing you....or you can tell that they are trying really really hard not to look at you. We always say hello to people and never avoid anyone. I mean we don't go out of our way but just normal friendly "good morning" "hello" whatever. There are people at my work that I have worked with for years that still won't say hello or look me in the eye when we pass (I'm sure they are like this with other people). Do you think they have a mental problem of some sort?
2007-11-05 11:26:02 · 16 answers · asked by Mary Posa 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I think a lot of people are like that. I came from south Alabama where people are very talkative. If they don't have time to talk they at least smile as they walk by. When you're driving people would do a mini hand wave just to be sociable. If you're out in the yard doing whatever, people walking by would say hi or comment on what you were doing (yard work, playing with the dog...). I moved to Kansas several years ago and the first thing I noticed is how unsociable everyone is. I miss the southern hospitality and wish more people would take time to stop and smell the roses.
2007-11-05 11:47:34 · answer #1 · answered by Nothin' Fancy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you a transplant?
When I moved from the East Coast to the West Coast, I couldn't stand how people behaved out here. All smiles and friendly, asking about my day - how nosey! Telling me about there day - like I care, and why are they wasting my time.
It took me over a year to figure out the the people here are friendly and I was just rude. I am now one of the local friendlies after all these years, but I still remember. So the answer is yes, they probably think your are mental, or nosey, or phony, or maybe you will rob them blind if they talk to you, or they are in a hurry and they think you are rude for trying to take up a second of their time.
Different areas of the country have different ideas about what is rude and what is friendly. If you don't like the way people behave in your area, perhaps you should consider moving to one of the friendlier states.
2007-11-05 19:49:18 · answer #2 · answered by kozychic 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are no problems just ignorance also remember they might be having problems of some kind and they are either upset or they could be trying really hard to think of a way to better their lives and work is not really helping them do so. Write a letter to management about the problem & possibly give some tips/advice on how to make the work place a little friendlier.
2007-11-05 19:51:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, i don't think they have a mental problem of some sort just because they don't want to say Hi or Hello back to you & your boyfriend. You have to accept the fact that NOT every person on this earth is as friendly as you. Don't expect the same treatment you give all the time. And don't take it personal or judge them just because they don't feel like greeting you back.
2007-11-06 02:34:15 · answer #4 · answered by sugarBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I find very interesting is your initial question and the fact that this behavior is "killing you". Why would not receiving a greeting from a passerby be so upsetting to you?
I agree with Traveler. If this is a pattern both you and your boyfriend are experiencing on a consistent basis, it could be a personality trait that is offensive to others.
2007-11-05 20:18:43 · answer #5 · answered by tracy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If this happens to you and your bf frequently, I really am sorry to tell you this but it isn't normal at all. If several people do this, it is likely something about you and/or your bf which is turning them off. Perhaps analyze the situation more closely and see if you can pinpoint the problem in your own behavior.
2007-11-05 20:04:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do this sometimes. I don't like to be that way, but I work at a large company with many people. If I say hi to everyone, I don't get anything done.
2007-11-05 19:34:49 · answer #7 · answered by morris 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not a mental problem. Maybe you just annoy them. I HATE people who always have to talk to me when they see me. I do my best to avoid them.
People don't owe you anything and just want you to leave them alone.
The "southern hospitality" crap is a myth. It's rude to expect everyone to wave or smile or acknowledge you. No one is that special or significant. People in the south don't just wave at everyone, when they're driving. That's just a silly thing to say.
2007-11-05 19:41:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
don't assume they are standoffish or have a "mental problem" as you put it. there are many people with social anxiety problems that don't know how to look people in the eye and say hello.
2007-11-05 19:47:41 · answer #9 · answered by racer 51 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some people just aren't a "people-person". I have plenty of friends that hate crowds and would rather not work in customer service. It's not your fault, they just feel uncomfortable around others.
2007-11-05 19:29:04 · answer #10 · answered by mathaowny 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋