Just keep on walking...
How quickly we adapt in new surroundings. I walked downtown to the post office this morning and even though I passed probably a dozen people, I barely uttered "hello." Even though it's with polite disinterest, people in the South usually call out a greeting and look a person straight in the eye in passing. It doesn't matter if you they know each other or not because the odds of a conversation starting from a simple "Hi" and "How are you?" are slim to none. On the other hand, I smiled and greeted a few people on the street here on my first days and they looked at me like I'd grown a second head. You actually see the wheels turning in their heads - trying to figure out where they know me from. That, or they get ready to launch into their life story. So after less than three weeks in California, I'm already avoiding eye contact and unless they look shady, I might mutter hello. I know I shouldn't give in so easily, but when in Rome... right?
posted by Tasha @ 1:59 PM
3 Comments:
Every time I go home I have to remember that Northerners don't talk to strangers, and usually end up getting some odd looks from people I randomly smile at and say "Hi" too.
I have to disagree with the big vs. little argument. That has a bit to do with it, but I grew up in a small town in the North, and we didn't talk to strangers. But I live in Charlotte now, and still say "Hi" to people I don't know.
I thought for awhile that it was a generational thing because people in that generation with my grandmother are more likely to return a greeting than someone my age. But I think that depends on location too because college campuses tend to be friendly in general.
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