I don't have to actually say good morning- I'm not responsible for the way the world is now

[Ambonsai]

Old lady in the park this morning
She said good morning
I smiled at her, half got hello out, but got distracted because her dog was growling at my dog.
So she snapped at me "no response"
I said "oh sorry, hi"smiling
"No that's the way the world is now"
I said - sorry if I upset you by not saying good morning, I do try to smile at everyone in the park"

Turned away, Then I promptly burst into tears- emotional, hormonal right now.

I live in a very friendly area, most people say hello or smile especially if they have dogs. I chat most mornings to someone.
But cos I didn't actually say the words "good morning" I'm a symbol of what's wrong with the world.

I think she has a point, given the answers here.

Ignore her she's a dick
*What a weirdo^ etc etc.

If an elderly person says good morning to you, just say good morning back. It's not hard. And even if you don't, don't be a dick about elderly people online, you're only proving her point.

Hardly anyone seems to have basic manners anymore, they are far to self absorbed,.

Hopefully she apologises if you see her again.

I have hearing impairment.

The amount of shit i get from people who speak to me and then get really arsey when they don’t get a response- i either have no clue they’re speaking, or i can’t see their faces so i have no idea what’s being said.

I also get this sort of comment when wearing headphones in an attempt to get people to realise i can’t hear. But apparently i should take them out so i can hear people properly.

Put it down to a misunderstanding and a bad day on both sides. Don't turn it into a generational thing or anything more than it was. Everyone has bad days. Hope yours gets better OP

I am absolutely not ageist. I have the utmost respect for older people and appreciate their experience and love having a good chat with many elderly residents near me. However I do get very frustrated with the attitude a few (not all) have towards the younger generation.

A prime example happened recently. I was strapping my daughter into her car seat, leaning into the car, with the door open which momentarily blocked the pavement. An elderly couple came along and instead of waiting for me to strap dd in, the man wacked my door into my legs with his walking stick and barged through. When I said to them that it wasn't really on and they could have waited a moment, I got a lecture about how young people are so rude these days and I should mind my manners. Unfortunately I do see this sort of attitude quite a lot, which is a real shame.

I don't walk around saying "good morning" etc. to people, but I will generally reply or smile an acknowledgement, if someone greets me in that way. But sometimes if you haven't spoken for a while you might open your mouth to speak and a whispery croak is all that comes out anyway! I wear hearing aids now so I am often distracted by all the ambient noises that I haven't heard properly for years, particularly bird song.

I don't pay much attention to the people around me, I have no particular desire to talk to strangers or greet them. I think sometimes that is probably considered rude or dismissive, but I also think that women are expected to be smiley and accommodating in a way men are not, I find that irritating. I like to be lost in my thoughts not constantly ensuring i am being socially acceptable.

Op you acknowledged the woman's greeting, she did not like that it was a smile instead of a reply, that is her problem, I fail to see what she gained by making it your problem. Her response did not make the world a happier or better place. Let it go.