Smiling/Being Friendly When Passing (The Same) Stranger In The Street On A Regular Basis

[LEE929394]

I just realised i've passed the same guy on my route to work on MANY occasions for the last couple of years and never acknowledged him/smiled etc.
So i've got no excuse, i'm being a rude, unfriendly *******, it's easier not to smile and keep looking ahead (especially first thing in the morning)
At best i'm just minding my own business.

The other guy has never made an effort either, of course if he acknowledged me i'd return the greeting.
(i've never been lucky enough to pass a fit female on this same stretch of road more than a couple of times so can't test the theory here)

Am i....

Totally normal

or

just plain rude?

Your response most likely will be different if you come from a big city like London where everyone keeps to themselves (i'm a londoner) but i don't see it any different in the seaside town where i live now.

 

[Shayper]

What is this I don't even

 

[panyan]

in this situation i do the "head bob of acknowledgement" and continue

 

[JBod]

Your are normal. Despite rumours a stranger isn't a friend not yet made, just someone who hasn't shown themselves to be a ****.

 

[Bunka]

in this situation i do the "head bob of acknowledgement" and continue

 

[paradisiac]

I always smile if I make eye contact with people. if they don't return it, well I tend to get the crowbar out and break their legs

but seriously, this is what I would do

 

[Marky]

in this situation i do the "head bob of acknowledgement" and continue

That or a smile is fine.

Sometimes if I'm walking nearby where I live I'll say "Hello" but that's about it

 

[memyselfandi]

I've end up with people on most of the regular commutes I've had where we've ended up nodding and maybe exchanging a greeting as we see each other every weekday. And I'm not even a particularly social person.

 

[Zefan]

You're totally normal and you're plain rude.

The two are not mutually exclusive.

 

[LEE929394]

You're totally normal and you're plain rude.

The two are not mutually exclusive.

 

[starfighter]

I think you should just say good morning really and I am from Manchester, I would if it was on my street or near my house but probably not if it was a randomer.


I have a tendency to nod to black people.

(is what this reminds me of, from the first episode of Curb your enthusiasm).

 

[uannaka]

Here in London you wouldn't acknowledge his existence and only talk to him when he is on the verge of death from a horrible accident.

 

[Deleted member 77746]

in this situation i do the "head bob of acknowledgement" and continue

 

[twist3d0n3]

do this:

 

[KaiserDJG]

If it's been years you should put a table in the middle of the path with a small tray of cakes and a pot of tea and when he walks down offer him to sit down and chat.

 

[KaiserDJG]

do this:

This by the way made me p**s myself laughing

 

[Raymond Lin]

I say morning and greetings, quick word of "nice weather we are having lately" to this retired gentleman that gets his morning paper every morning. Saw him one evening on the way home and he was holding a home grown lettuce and I said that looks nice and he offered it to me, which I kindly decline as it was still full of mud and I was in my work clothes.

At the same time I walk past another man on the same street that I totally ignore. I have no idea why.

 

[A.N.Other]

Wink at them.

 

[kwerk]

What I do is say "top of the morning to you" in a thick Irish accent. If they stop and ask if I'm from Ireland, I get a really confused look on my face like they are some type of retard and say no.

 

[kwerk]

I think you should just say good morning really and I am from Manchester, I would if it was on my street or near my house but probably not if it was a randomer.


I have a tendency to nod to black people.

(is what this reminds me of, from the first episode of Curb your enthusiasm).

my modus operandi: