Happy New Year - fall out 20/01/2023

[FamousPrincess]

I saw a lady that walks the dog past our house for the first time this year as I was sweeping our drive. I said "happy new year.." The fool blurted, "you still saying that to people..." I said not to worry, and walked back in

Am I being unreasonable to think this lad of working age is ignorant and should have gracefully accepted my greetings?

I wouldnt have said it, but I would definitely be thinking it.

I wouldn’t have said anything but I do agree with him!

The fool?

Nobody should be offering new years greetings 3 weeks past the new year.

At what point do you stop saying it?

Ironic how you are rude about them whilst grumbling about their rudeness

You're 3 weeks late.

It would be polite to say "hello! Can we still say Happy New year?" Or something, whilst smiling.
Or "did you have a good Christmas?"

Ah well, but don't let the PP's get you down.

Happy Christmas by the way!

Around here (Edinburgh area) we say “Happy New Year” to anyone and everyone you encounter on New Years Day.

and to colleagues when you return to work after New Year.
some older folk (like me) give close friend colleagues a kiss too.

i would find it strange to hear it mid/late January, but I wouldn’t have said anything.

Did they say that to you in a jokey way? If so YABU.

It’s 3 weeks post new year… it’s not longer new. I don’t understand the need to wish anyone a happy new year anyway, let alone randoms walking past your house.

Lad or lady?

Jesus people on here are miserable.

Also. What fall out?

Well it's a valid response towards the end of January. He didn't tell you to F off did he.
This interaction relates perfectly to a recent post about individualism.

You were being friendly. You wanted him to smile and say "Aye, HNY yourself". In your eyes anything less was rude.

He wanted to just go about his business. He had no desire to interact with you at all. You forced yourself on him so he gave a perfectly valid response

You think How hard is it to be pleasant
He thinks How hard is it to keep your mouth shut and leave me alone

Was any one actually unreasonable?

YANBU. His barb was unnecessary. What a misery.

In France they will always say Happy New Year to someone they know the first time they see them in a year - mid May was the latest I ever had.

But in the UK I would stop after the first few days / first day back in the office with people I know. Certainly it would be a bit random at this time of year to say it to someone you don't actually know.

It was a lady, sorry.
I am please to see some support regarding my stance here,
If I see here again, i will turn the other cheek and ignore them unless she makes an effort to say, hello, etc.

Thank you for your support, made me feel better.

Its was a lady I said it to and not a "lad," sorry my typo.

Thank you for your support, made me feel better

Support? You make it sound like she slapped you in the face

I still get Happy New Year from people at work in emails. Don't overthink that. Guy was just being miserable.

Guy was just being miserable

Op doesnt even know the LADY in question, for all op knows she could have a really shite new year, house fire, Husband had an affair, her dog died.

No one knows, she might have good reason to be 'miserable'.

I tend to think if you haven't seen someone since the end of last year it's perfectly reasonable to wish them happiness for this one. If someone said HNY to me at this point I'd just smile, maybe say thanks and the same to you. If one must say "but it's three weeks in", at least say it in a good humoured way.

No, support from you guys :)

Exactly that. Ir was not as though i was telling this woman to clear up her dog mess, and or talking down to her. It really hurt me, I felt it and won't be saying HNY to anyone a few days into Jan

Thank you all again for the kind words.