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?

I'm like the OP. I smile/nod or say hello if I catch someone's eye. Often they do it first. I call out thanks to bus drivers too.

I'm a Londoner and behave no differently in London or elsewhere.

Thanks, @lifeispainauchocolat, for pointing out that introversion does not mean unsociable. Sociability is not related to how one 'recharges'.

And I fall into conversation with strangers in waiting situations. Not sure if I or the other person initiates it most often.

I smile at women I dont know if I pass closely or in a barren sort of space like a car park for example.

Men I never engage with.

I don’t talk to randoms in the supermarket but when I’m walking the dog I always say hello or nod to people I don’t know - everyone else seems to as well . I’m an ex nurse so happy to talk to anyone

I used to be super chatty in my 20s and the older people around me on buses, in shops etc loved it as probably most young people didn’t bother as much. I’d also respond very positively to anyone who opened a conversation with me.

A few times it ended quite badly, weird men stalking me, feeling entitled to share their racist views etc, so the older I get I'm a bit more wary especially of men.

On a recent train journey which was badly delayed and lead to passengers having to add an additional connection to our journey, it was nice to chat to others around you about where they were coming from and where they were going etc. I’ve had that a few times on public transport where something’s gone wrong, even helped others figure out bus routes where a train has dumped us in the middle of nowhere and been individually thanked by them when they reach their destination. So yeah it depends.

I’ll always say hi back though but I can understand it might be overwhelming to someone.

I find I only say "hello" or "morning" to people when I'm on my dog walks. I don't speak to everyone but if someone makes eye contact or smiles or something I'll say "morning" and they will say it back or sometimes they will say it first. You can just tell who to greet. Obviously the dog walkers you see most days always say hello.

If I see or hear a cyclist or jogger I'll move to the side and call my dog to walk next to me to keep out of the way and 90% of the time they say thanks as they pass but I do find it rude when they don't.

I wouldn't walk round the town centre or supermarket smiling or saying hello though. 😂

I'm a northerner

Yeah I talk to anyone and say hello to anyone who either catches my eye or who is clearly just out for a walk, like me.

DH used to think it was weird but now he does it too.

I do since moving out of London. Just a “good morning” when we pass. I hadn’t realised it had happened until my son visited from London and walked to the shop with me. He asked if I actually knew all these people. lol

I just read his post as saying he didn't want to potentially worry women by speaking to them. He might be right he might be wrong but I thought his concerns were valid.

Give it a rest its an open forum and you conveniently didn't reply to my experiences growing up. I swore at you solely because of your personal attacks on me. Your one very nasty person.

I agree.

Ah, but who’s to say you wouldn’t feel he was ‘entitled?’ Honestly, who knew passing the time of day was such a minefield! Come to Glasgow, everyone speaks to you! We can strike up a conversation out of nowhere! As for the PP who think people are entitled if they speak to you (🤷‍♀️) they’d soon tell you who was the entitled one!

I talk to strangers most times that I'm out but I don't often initiate it myself. I wouldn't want to intrude if someone wants to be left alone. I do smile at most people that I pass though and must look approachable because lots of people do.

On a hike or whatever I say hello to everyone and find it pretty uncommon people don't reciprocate

I half nod/ smile and occasionally 'alright?' but only to people I vaguely recognise in my local area. If in an unfamiliar area then usually not. I don't think it's necessarily harmful for kids to say hello to people, I suppose I might meet the gaze of a little kid on the bus and say hello in a cutesy voice. I suppose I'd be a bit wary about kids talking to strange men though.

Here in Hampshire we say hello and chat.

Rural, yes, I greet most people I pass with a good morning or at least a polite nod (if they don’t seem inclined or able to talk).

When I’m in towns / cities, I don’t greet people on the street. Too many people.

Round here, the men engage in polite conversation (whether that’s just a greeting, or more) just the same as the women. No dramatics or self-indulgent nonsense involved.

Only if they speak to me first.

Yes! And I love to give people little compliments if it's obvious they've made an effort with something/are wearing something a bit different. It makes me so happy to see people's faces brighten 😊

I do,I'm irish though its common here,to speak to everyone and their baby

Somebody saying a friendly hello to you feels 'entitled' ?!?!?! WTAF