Talking to strangers

[susansaucepan]

Do you say hello as you pass strangers?

I will almost always say hello, nod or smile if I catch someone's eye on the street, work corridors etc, even if I don't know them. It feels a bit rude to just rush past someone. I am not sure why I bother, especially as the greeting is not always reciprocated which can be awkward.

My DH has mentioned that my DD “talks to every stranger” they walk past during the school run. He is right in that she does tend to say hello to most people and will happily engage anyone in conversation given the opportunity.

My DH is a quiet man and finds this uncomfortable and tries to use the old “stranger danger” rethoric to encourage the kids to not talk to strangers.

What are your thoughts?

No.

This man had already walked past me & had expected me to initiate a greeting.

That's entitled.

I don't owe some random man I've never seen before attention.

I often strike up a conversation at bus stops. I had a great conversation with the British Gas service man yesterday about how difficult it is to own property as a single person. Our DS is similar, once or twice when he was a child, people urged me to be careful to teach him stranger danger. Generally, these were quiet and introverted types. We did - of course - teach him stranger danger and being mindful doesn’t mean you can’t be friendly

Not in the street no, but I find a lot of people say a cheery hello, good morning etc if I'm walking through the park,

I understand chatting to people at a bus stop/in a shop/queue etc but not a random passerby on the street, feels awkward to me.

I do, but I'm Welsh and hard-wired to talk to everyone.

I think this is more of a town/village thing. Although some people will try and make it a north/south thing.

I live on a large housing estate. Going round it can take a lot longer than you plan as everyone will say hello, and maybe stop and chat for longer, whether you know them or not. Walking to the shops 10 minutes away will normally involve 5-10 "hellos" and 1-2 one longer conversations.
Go to the local town and you say "hello" to the people you know. Although someone you see frequently becomes someone you "know and say hello" to even if you only know them as the person you walk past when you're late for work.

It always has been, wherever I've been living! 😁

...

Not relevant.

Not relevant.

Londoner here, now living in a country village, where everyone says hello as they walk past, except for teens who blank you. Last week I was back in London where I wouldn't normally talk to strangers but did strike up a conversation with someone who looked interesting while we were both waiting to be served. I like to think that we are all friendly and would be ready to help one another or ask for help, even if we don't actually speak (in London).

Yes, I’m not going to accost people, but a smile or nod when it’s right. It’s nice to have a bit of a connection…

im sure I read somewhere it’s supposed to help your mental health.

and if they ignore it…so what.

I don’t usually unless I know the person well enough and to people who say hi to me.

However, I often have my earphones in and focused on getting from point a to point b so don’t always hear people. With it being chilly, my hat covers my ears so people won’t see that they’re in. Unless someone waves at me and makes eye contact, I don’t notice they’re talking to me.

I love talking to strangers. I've had some great conversations on park benches when my child was a baby, in waiting rooms...esp if there are babies or kids, it just happens organically. In airport lounges, sitting next to strangers on a plane, making shop assistants laugh. I love it.

👏

It would never occur to me to say "hello" as I walk past strangers. I don't think they are likely to be dangerous, but I treat other people as I wish to be treated, and I find it an intrusion on my privacy if a random stranger says "hello" to me!

At work - I acknowledge everyone

Where I grew up (countryside) - yes, chat to everyone

Where I live now (city) - yes but mixed responses, country people usually do the same. Long life city folk don't at all.

Hello costs nothing. I find it rude whethervm it is or not.

Fair enough that you don’t want people to acknowledge you but labelling someone saying hello to you as entitled and exerting social pressure is extreme. Imagine if a stranger rang the doorbell!

She wouldn't answer it. How dare someone have the gall to ring her doorbell.

Loads of mumsnetters also think this way.

Oh, and I am a Northener and loathe the stereotype that "we speak to everyone". Some do, some don't - same as anywhere else.

I'm in Cornwall and it's a thing to do when walking the dog especially on the coastal footpath to at least smile or say hi to strangers . A friend form a big city said it was weird and I sort of agree but everyone does it

You literally said you greeted everyone except young women. Nothing has been twisted. You are just weird.

Introversion just means you re-charge by spending time alone. It doesn't mean you hate socialising or talking to people.

I say hello/good morning to strangers I pass on the road (semi rural)
I'd do the same if I passed anybody in a corridor.
My kids do the same. It's actually a joy to see my teenagers greeting people as they walk along our road, with a smile and a "Good morning" and a bit of small talk. They'll happily chat to shop workers who initiate it too. I feel quite proud that I've raised friendly, confident young people. They also know there's a time and a place for it.
Your daughter sounds delightful @susansaucepan We need more friendliness in the world. I'm sure she will model you and know when it's appropriate and when it's not.

Not everyone but I will happily talk to strangers. I love telling people that I love their outfit or their style too!

It's not being an entitled arsehole to find that comment strange. Are you usually so sweepingly rude?