As someone who acknowledges people when I walk into work, drive down the street or make eye contact with strangers, it is annoying when so many people fall into the group of not speaking to you unless you say something first. You know who I’m talking about. We all have friends, co-workers, neighborhood acquaintances who don’t say hello, wave or look you in the eyes on a regular basis. I get that some people are shy. But in these cases, in my opinion, it’s a deeper issue. Perhaps a control issue. Like they’re thinking I’m not going to say anything or even pretend to know this person unless he or she makes the first move. How silly and, really, immature. It’s like my husband the high school teacher. Some students won’t smile or respond back to him when he greets them in the hall. But he never waivers from his friendly approach and by the end of the year has usually won them over. So in the spirit of my husband I will continue to smile and wave and cheerfully greet all the head cases I come in contact with on a regular basis. 
Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 50
This post was written by Tara on August 1, 2012
I totally understand where you are coming from having been snubbed by people when I either speak first or am in the process of speaking.
It seems to be cool these days to act as if the person you meet is invisible. I don’t get it as I wasn’t raised to treat people that way at all. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
You go girl!! And I will say hello and smile back.
Wow….Calling people head cases? Sorry Tara, I disagree with you a bit. Continue with your positive greetings, please, but I caution you in regards to calling people silly and immature merely for not exchanging in your pleasantries.
Life is just too short; a warm smile, eye contact, and a simple but sincere hello can make all the difference in our lives and the people we meet anywhere.
So continue to go out of your way and be the big girl and make the friendly gesture first. I don’t think that it’s being immature or anything else by not racing to be the first one to say “Hello”. Some people just frankly don’t care if they greet someone or not. Even in business’s!!!! Now that’s just plain rude so I do make sure I go out of my way and say “Have a nice day”! Just to be sarcastic of course!
As for students (especially those in high school), they are very uncomfortable acknowledging a teacher – in school or outside of school. They have a hard time realizing teachers are actually PEOPLE who have a life outside of school. So when they see a teacher out in public, they don’t know how they should react….say hi, pretend they don’t see them, let the teacher talk first. In the school setting, they are often unsure of how to act as well. Good for Dave for modeling how to greet others…they will learn from his example!
I have to agree with Amy. Unless you know for sure why someone does not say hello first, then you just do not know. They may have their reasons (even if you do see them on a daily basis. To call them head cases, with what that usually implies is unfair and in poor taste.
This really offended me, not every person can be as outgoing I guess as yourself and you shouldn’t judge those because they’re not like you. As a person who is generally shy I guess I did’t realize I was coming off as immature and silly.
I’m shy, and generally am the type of person that will pretend I didn’t see someone so I don’t have to say hello. However, your post did not offend me. I know that I’m being ridiculous when I do it, and it probably is a little immature. I have worked hard over the last 10 years or so to come out of my shell more, and your post actually reminded me that I need to work on this. It bothers me to be shy, because on MANY occasions, my shyness has been translated to others at b**chiness, and that kind of hurts. Great post!