A Question
I have a question.
Why is it so difficult for us to acknowledge each other when we meet on the streets?
You know the feeling,
you see someone that you "know" or sort-of-know, and the debate goes through your mind: do I say hi/flash a smile, or do I look at the ground/the sky/my watch and keep walking?
Is it because:
a) damnit, there are just too many people that I sort-of know - I can't say "Hi" to them all.
b) I am afraid that they will not recognize me, and that my saying "Hi" will only create awkward situation for both of us.
c) I am sick of the air of superficiality that pervades almost every aspect of life, and, frankly, do not wish to add to the mire by engaging in a meaningless round of "Hi-how-are-you," knowing that deep down, I really do not care what the answer is.
d) I am in a rush and do not want to take the time to have a real conversation.
Why is it so difficult for us to acknowledge each other when we meet on the streets?
You know the feeling,
you see someone that you "know" or sort-of-know, and the debate goes through your mind: do I say hi/flash a smile, or do I look at the ground/the sky/my watch and keep walking?
Is it because:
a) damnit, there are just too many people that I sort-of know - I can't say "Hi" to them all.
b) I am afraid that they will not recognize me, and that my saying "Hi" will only create awkward situation for both of us.
c) I am sick of the air of superficiality that pervades almost every aspect of life, and, frankly, do not wish to add to the mire by engaging in a meaningless round of "Hi-how-are-you," knowing that deep down, I really do not care what the answer is.
d) I am in a rush and do not want to take the time to have a real conversation.
posted by kris @ 11:00 p.m.
4 Comments:
At 9:08 a.m., February 12, 2005,
Anonymous said…
I don't know that it's so bad to say hi to everyone. I try to say "Hi" to pretty much everyone I make eye contact with. It's just "Hi", but it is a way of being friendly and brightening up a day. I feel better, hopefully they do too and the world is a friedlier place. The good part about saying hi to everyone is that you don't have those uncomfortable moments because there's no decision to make.
Of course there's another problem you get. I find myself saying hello to some people for so long that I forget if I ever got introduced to them. So at one point is it rude for me to ask their name?
At 8:24 p.m., February 15, 2005,
kris said…
me personally, I think I fall under category (b) and - shameful though it is - sometimes (c) to the extent that I hate superficial conversation.
but I admire all you brave ones.
I was walking by McMillan today, and I smiled at a girl who I know from my CanLit class today. She smiled back. It made me happy.
At 12:39 p.m., February 18, 2005,
Anonymous said…
Is saying hi to complete strangers not part of Trinity culture any more? A few years back I had a friend of mine from UBC brave the bus to come visit. I met him outside Matson and he said he'd been waiting only a few minutes but tons of people had already said hi and been friendly. He said it was jarring at first... but very friendly.
At 9:15 p.m., February 18, 2005,
kris said…
Andrew: I think a lot times it depends on context. For example, it's really easy to say hi to people during O-week. But I think that the majority of the time, it can be uncomfortable.
I don't know. I find that if I'm standing in line, for example, I have a really easy time making conversation with the people in the line with me.
I think everyone's level of comfort differs based on situation.
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