@TheDINO 12 October 2020 edited

Saying "Good Morning" to a Stanger or Neighbor

An observation from Gen X POV I usually go for my morning workout at the park at 7am - a time when the sun is just coming up and people are jogging, walking dogs or just getting outside to get some fresh air.

I want to set the proper tone here - at this time in the morning there is less traffic of all types (cyclists, pedestrians, etc) - Therefore when you pass a person, you are likely to make eye contact or have some type of interaction vs a typical "busy" time when the park is packed. I'm an 80's Kid (I get that we all grew up differently) - but I was TOTALLY in trouble if I did not "speak" to other humans or acknowledge their presence - Especially in the Morning. I was raised to say "Good Morning" or similar salutation when coming across another individual first thing in the morning. Obviously as I write this post - this is a practice I still do to this day (pre- Covid breath, ha). It is nice to start my day off in a positive manner and I enjoy saying "hello" to my fellow humans. I have 2 observations and would like to know your thoughts as well First one is - people in certain demographic regions (think "NYC Manhattan vs. San Antonio TX ) have Totally different reactions to strangers addressing them. I learned this the first time I drove from California to New York (United States). Seriously, just getting gas was vastly different as I drove from a West Coast City - Through the South - to an East Coast City. I do think a certain level of general "friendly hospitality" does exist in smaller/rural areas, I mean - you PROBABLY know that person (or their Mom, cousin, etc) And in a Major City it's just not practical to yell "GOOD MORNING" to 1000 people on the street. I usually say "Good Morning/Hi" when there is light traffic and I make eye contact with another human. Is this an "Old School" Habit? (hmmm) Second - I live in a populated city made up of various demographics - Is "No Eye Contact" a new (younger adult) thing? Most - again I know this changes depending on Where you are and Who you are dealing with - people I encounter in their 20s don't even make eye contact. Usually eyes are on a phone/device or "straight stare" with no peripheral interference . Usually the park has everything from "hard core" athletes to "Moms with strollers" and everything in between so it's a decent case study environment I get it - We ALL have crap on our minds and NOBODY Owes me a "Hello" LMAO My personal thought though is - I'm not going to look RIGHT at a person and not acknowledge them - it seems so... Rude Is my thinking typical Gen X? I Love seeing the faces of my fellow neighbors and usually a quick "Good Morning" is met with the same or better yet - a BIG SMILE - #WORTHit Either way, I hate that communication is so impersonal and I wish people would consider reinstating basic human manners - I don't communicate only via Emoji Thanks for the look and I'll end with - "Hi :) Have a Wonderful Day"

Thank you for the Photos https://www.pexels.com/@fecundap6 https://www.pexels.com/@ece-ak-1635690