Nathan's post today has reminded me of a post that I've been meaning to toss out to all of you for some time now. It's a big one and, by that, I mean it's going to be frustrating at some point if you continue it. It's a challenge, really. Something to get us all thinking....and reminds us to be polite (remember that please and thank you crap that we learned in kindergarten???).
So, for today, I want you to speak to five people that you don't know.....complete with a smile and a "hello."
Okay? That's it. Simple. Not complicated. And, who knows, maybe it'll carry over into tomorrow, or even the next day too. Now, for me, the funny part is when people look at you like you're crazy and even when they don't speak back (and, believe me, in my world they don't speak back about half of the time). That's when the ugly cynical, sarcastic side of me says out loud "Oh, and you have a nice day too!" Oops.
21 comments:
Hey, I already do this. That is if I leave my house (home office).
But once I am out, I normally greet people with an appropriate "Hello" not Hi or Hey.
And then you get the occasional worker at a shop who can complete the whole transaction from my greeting to giving me the receipt without so much as a grunt of acknowledgment. That one always gets a "Wow, that was impressive. You managed to not speak at all during the whole time I was here!" from me.
Yes, there we are assholes with manners, or is with manners with a 'tude?
One thing that I love about living in North Carolina is how friendly we can be. Folks will always say hey or smile as you pass them on the sidewalk (providing you look at them and do the same), or in rural areas, people will wave as you pass them on the highway, although you don't know them.
This is a great idea, Lewis. You have such a good spirit about you.
I always make it a point to smile and to say "and you have a good one, too" (or something similar) to every clerk or service person who waits on me. It is amazing how many do NOT expect ANY response from the customer, let alone a sincere (and I am sincere) wish for them to have a good day. They have this almost shocked look on their faces.
Imagine what will happen when we do what you suggest - a random unprovoked smile and hello!
I love meeting new people. It's
kinda hard when all you're around
are teenagers that you already know
Also, I LOVE smiles. They are the
most contagious things.
You have a great one too Lewis.
Hehe, some days I don't see 5 people.
I'm a smilin', sayin'-hello type of person. On days I see people, they get my usual treatment.
I can actually leave my house each day, go to work, and go on home without seeing anyone that I don't know.
Daily.
It's hard to do this in a city like LA, but once in a while you will run into good folk who do answer back kindly or even initiate saying hello.
I try not to take it personally when someone just doesn't answer me back or clearly ignores me, but it's hard not to wanna go up to that person and sock them.
Well I just got home, and I'm not going out, but I will try it tomorrow sounds fun, did you talk to that hottie walking on the beach? What did you say?
This is so like you, Lewis. Of COURSE I'm going to do this - it'll just have to be tomorrow. I usually at least make eye contact and smile at everyone anyway, so I suppose adding a "hello" won't set me back too much. :)
You're so cool.
Look at that smile, I could just pinch those cheeks.
That's a great idea. I guess I'm with Doug in the fact that I often go days without seeing anyone besides my partner and my pets.
But there are 9 comments on here, so I guess I can say hello to all these people.
HOWDY NEIGHBORS!
I do this, too. In my building we always have new people starting, and I go over, introduce myself, show them where I sit, and then check back on them to see how they're doing. Not folks who work for me, just anyone. I'm going to take your challenge and focus on five new pople. It feels good when people acknowledge me, so I'll do that for others, too.
Here in South Carolina this is not unusual. I typically smile and greet store personnel when shopping. Sometimes if I'm out by myself I will make my typical snarky comments to some innocent bystander. I get a lot of strange stares when I do that.
yikes! I read this at 10PM
I will have to try tomorrow; i will be traveling so there will be plenty of opportunities.
I, like Jim, already do this too...it's a beach culture thang (well, for me, not so much for Jim)!
I used to live closer to L.A. & one of the things I noticed is that people on the streets don't say "hello" as much as the beach cities folk.
ok, its almost 11pm, can I start this tomorrow??? And being courteous to the person at the checkout wouldn't hurt either.
I love concept and already practice it. I do think it's more practiced here in the south and the PNW than a lot of other ares of the nation/ But, then again, it may change with some effort in the places in between too!
Great idea! Only thing is, here in Africa you don't get away with a simple hello, it always turns into a two hour conversation... People are just so much more 'human' and open to others.
Have a fruitful weekend my friend!
(Also just wanna smile back at that picture!)
I do this all the time--most think Im a nut or a weirdo..just kidding! I will be guy smiley today and tomorrow! BTW-- when you coming by to pick me up for our road trip to I-35? :-)
I do that every day in the salon with other stylist customers.
in my business of customer service at a auto dealership i encounter some of the rudest people, so when i say good morning how are you and they say fine back, sometimes if i am in a pissed off mood i will answer bck thanks i am fine also.........i love talking to strangers and striking up conversations.......
The unfortunate thing for me working in government, I have to do that 30 times a day. ;-)
It's even better when I'm donned in a suit and tie.
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