Am I weird for smiling at people?

DrToffnar

DrToffnar

DrToffnar

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Once in a blue moon, there's a question for which I have to dip my toes into the murky waters of GD in order to get an answer to (ooffftt, sticky...)

Whenever I catch someone's eye on the street, I always make a point of smiling at them. Perhaps even a "hey" or "Y'alright". Rarely am I to receive even a nod of the head in reply.

I mentioned I did this to my lady friend a few days ago and she thought it was rather odd.

So, am I just too innocent for this world to bear or am I just a freak?
 
I would say its something more common in more rural areas and with older blokes from experience.

In busy and bustling areas, people tend to pretend that everyone else is just a moving lamppost.
 
A lot of people simply aren't spontaneous socially and some even take offence to someone random speaking or smiling at them in passing :( its kind of weird when I'm with one lot of my cousins as they are very outgoing and smile and say hello in passing to anyone (other than say on a busy street) while my immediate family have always been reserved.
 
I don't mind a smile and a quick alright as I walk past someone, that's fine with me.

But do not talk to me when I'm in a lift with you, weirdo! :p
 
DrToffnar said:
Once in a blue moon, there's a question for which I have to dip my toes into the murky waters of GD in order to get an answer to (ooffftt, sticky...)

Whenever I catch someone's eye on the street, I always make a point of smiling at them. Perhaps even a "hey" or "Y'alright". Rarely am I to receive even a nod of the head in reply.

I mentioned I did this to my lady friend a few days ago and she thought it was rather odd.

So, am I just too innocent for this world to bear or am I just a freak?
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I'm a Londoner so no, that would be weird :p
 
DrToffnar said:
Once in a blue moon, there's a question for which I have to dip my toes into the murky waters of GD in order to get an answer to (ooffftt, sticky...)

Whenever I catch someone's eye on the street, I always make a point of smiling at them. Perhaps even a "hey" or "Y'alright". Rarely am I to receive even a nod of the head in reply.

I mentioned I did this to my lady friend a few days ago and she thought it was rather odd.

So, am I just too innocent for this world to bear or am I just a freak?
Click to expand...

I do this too.
 
I say hello to everyone I walk past, however that's quite normal in cornwall on the cliff paths etc..

I probably wouldn't do the same if I was back in London
 
DrToffnar said:
Once in a blue moon, there's a question for which I have to dip my toes into the murky waters of GD in order to get an answer to (ooffftt, sticky...)

Whenever I catch someone's eye on the street, I always make a point of smiling at them. Perhaps even a "hey" or "Y'alright". Rarely am I to receive even a nod of the head in reply.

I mentioned I did this to my lady friend a few days ago and she thought it was rather odd.

So, am I just too innocent for this world to bear or am I just a freak?
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with it at all, i do the same.

Although i am rather misanthropic and the act is purely a courteous instilled mannerism by my parents, given this the majority of people who don't show equal courtesy recieve a rather abrupt response by portraying my disdain for their lack of etiquette. i.e. holding doors open for people and them not thanking you, or allowing people to cross the road when not at a crossing.
 
When I'm visiting my parents in the Lake District, then yeah i'll say hello to people. In London though? Nahhhhhh
 
Out walking in the countryside - no, anywhere else - yes.

When i'm in the Lakes or Yorkshire dales ill say hello, good morning etc to everyone, but when I'm in London it's head down.
 
Bunka said:
When I'm visiting my parents in the Lake District, then yeah i'll say hello to people. In London though? Nahhhhhh
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From my experience those in the lakes and generally anywhere north of Lancaster and south of Carlisle excluding barrow are arrogant, self absorbed and prickly to tourists... I remember spending hours in Ambleside just asking the locals if they had any knowledge of a national trust campsite nearby that i was struggling to find (pre sat-nav days)
 
Do it anywhere more rural, but in towns there are just too many people, it would be a full time job. There is a wider discussion about population density and social cohesion somewhere here.
 
MookJong said:
Do it anywhere more rural, but in towns there are just too many people, it would be a full time job. There is a wider discussion about population density and social cohesion somewhere here.
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Definitely this. I'd say the divide isn't even as large as some have already mentioned. I work in the centre of Birmingham and out of habit I do it from time to time as I'm leaving the office. Never had so much as smile as far as I can remember. However, just 4 miles down the road in a slightly more suburban setting the reply rate is almost 100%.
 
People in my home building, or work building, yes, event if I don't know them.

Strangers out in public? Lol, no, never.
 
I do near my parents house when I stay there in the countryside, don't bother in the Manchester where I live. Well, just to people on my street and maybe if I see someone who works in the local shops/takeaway that I go in.
 
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