People who never say hello back

Housesearching2022

I consider myself a friendly, approachable bloke and would always acknowledge people with a nod or a smile and a hello when passing on the street or in the park, if there are only a few people around. If im walking down a street or a quiet area and its only me and one other person, i would always greet that person. Most people reciprocate, but of late there have been a good few people who not only not respond, but actually look at you like you are nuts just for recognising a fellow human.

The worst of this is when you see someone who looks approachable and seems friendly but then when you say hi, they actually stare straight ahead as if you werent even there! I get it, some people are rude, some are pre-occupied etc but personally i could never walk right by someone without some form of acknowledgment or eye contact, it seems unnatural otherwise. But there are a sizeable group of people who have perfected that peculiar skill of completely and utterly blanking you as if you dont exist. And this is all ages too not just youngsters.

Have you come across this much? Did Covid kill off basic manners or were people always like this?

Donald Trump

I already bleedin' told ya bud, I don't have any change for you for your bus

Pwindedd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058328374/people-who-never-say-hello-back

People don’t always react the way you expect them to - in all types of situations. It’s never about you. Accept and move on.

People are much friendlier and chatty here with relative strangers than in the UK where I’m from, so it could always be worse.

Pauliedragon

I do think Covid did have a negative effect on interpersonal skills. Factor in a lot people are rushing all the time. Also with all the stories in the news lately about strangers attacking for what appears like no reason.

Hello by the way 😉

maninasia

Huge amount of immigrants as well, may be a factor depending where you are.

apache

It might come across as rude but it could be a confidence/anxiety issue.

Sam Quentin

Don't let it change you. Remember it's them that have the problem,

You don't know what is going on in peoples minds. They could be depressed or anything.

pgj2015

when it happens I nearly always say, "whats the craic, you good ya? im not too bad" fcuk them they are just odd soulless people, especially the ones who were staring at you before you even said hello.

elperello

I find that in urban situations people tend to be more guarded.

A bit less so in Ireland than the UK.

On the other hand out hill walking in both countries the majority would acknowledge a greeting.

Rubberchikken

Definitely depends where walking. Out in the countryside hills etc more likely to. In town wouldn't bother. In our park walking our dog if someone says hello I'll respond but I just can't be bothered otherwise (being honest here🥴😄

Kaybaykwah

I usually smile in a coy manner when crossing paths with anyone. If I happen to recognize someone on the other side of the street, I wave forcefully with a matching grin that often leaves me exhausted, since I carry on gesticulating way past the encounter.

Quitelife

Ireland is definitely less friendly than it used to be , many people are looking at their phones 24/7 or have AirPods in their ears ensuring there’s no engagement with other people .

Jim_Hodge

There was a thread here a few months ago where somebody was bemoaning the fact that people greeted them when passing on the street.

Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

freshpopcorn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121537532#Comment_121537532

I was thinking somebody was trying to bait the issue again.

Ash.J.Williams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058328374/people-who-never-say-hello-back

I don't mean to be a Debbie downer however I'm old enough to know nowadays that everyone is different and there are millions of personalities and some people are so crippled with anxiety etc that they may have over thought replying to a hello to the point they don't actually respond and it hurts them more than it hurts you

Aside from that, what's up with ignorant unfriendly people with really friendly dogs ? I'd always say hello to a lovely dog but sometimes their owners can be utter cnts.

Also I once said hello to a guy carrying a unicycle and he blanked me ....wtf like

nachouser

Talk to the hand, OP.

ruth...less

Hello.

tikka16751

Whip out your Mickey

Astral Nav

I spend a lot of time down the country and the rest in Dublin. In the former you greet most people whether walking, on the bike or driving slowly, sometimes start conversations with total strangers. In Dublin generally none of the above or people think you're weird and dare you say hello to a female under 40. My parents's generation were not like that.

Sometimes the brain doesn't flick the town/country switch and hilarity ensues.

Mongfinder General

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121537714#Comment_121537714

I think a lot has changed in recent years. There is an assumption that humans are social creatures and want to be around other humans. I see this where I work. We’re constantly being told about the value of working together onsite. But to be honest - there probably isn’t more than one person from work who’d call or text me outside of work situations. And vice versa.

I try to swerve interaction with females - I certainly don’t like to initiate it unless it’s necessary (can’t really be avoided in work). Unless you’re viewed as being in the top 5 or 10% of men, a careless remark could land you in a lot of trouble. If a woman is pleasant and engaging with me, I reciprocate.

I find that most of us are in love with our phones. They offer escape. Reading a book or even engaging in a stimulating conversation is just lost on some people.

ruth...less

I can't see so I just wave to everyone lol

Hyperbollix

It's funny. If I'm on the street of my local small town, I wouldn't think of passing someone on the footpath without at least of a nod of the head. But If I'm basically anywhere else, ie big county town/city, Dublin or abroad, I wouldn't even see the other person, cos I kind of subconsciously accept that it's not required or would seem odd.

It's a very generational thing. I will always acknowledge older people in this scenario as they usually reciprocate as "in their day" it was the done thing. Anyone under 30? Shoulder charge while staring at my shoes.

Strumms

It’s depends… if I’m out for a walk on my road or adjoining park I’ll offer anyone a smile and a low key hello…. If they reciprocate or not no problem either way. Can’t recall anything not being reciprocated… haven’t noticed much of a change OP, sorry...

iniscealtra

It’s worth saying hello. I say hello on my way to work and ar first this pensionar who is often out for his early walk would look at me strangely. Now he’ll stop for a chat every once in a while. It’s nice.

GreeBo

The problem is that often the scrotes who are looking to cause trouble also start it the same way, "whats the story bud?", "are ya'll righ?"

Then whack.

canalman

I live in Clondalkin Dublin. I walk regularly on the Grand Canal. I find that if you nod or say hello 50% of people will react. Over time you will have many people who will have conversations with you.

The Phantom Jipper

Seasons greetings

BrianD3

Women under the age of about 35 think that every man wants to ride them so they avoid saying hello in case the man "gets the wrong idea". That's assuming that the man is in the bottom 95% of men in terms of attractiveness.

I have had this with acquaintances, e.g work colleagues from a different dept. We'd meet in a corridor or car park in work and she would studiously avoid making eye contact, staring up in the air or to the side instead. Other male work colleagues noticed this too, women wouldn't say hello or acknowledge their existence unless they were looking for something/a favour, then once they got it, they go back to ignoring.

I had one girl ignore me until she broke up with her boyfriend, then was all smiles. Too late, now I ignored her.

Another one ignored me all the time, I said this to another female colleague who tried to excuse the behaviour "ah she's just shy". This same "shy" girl had no qualms about dating scumbags, violent thugs and drug dealers.

NewbridgeIR

I go out walking every day and the vast majority of people will say hello back. There's one lady who I see from time to time who never says hello back. She's English which probably explains why.

MrMusician18

Some people will, some people won't. My toddler sometimes takes to enthusiastically greeting everyone on our walks, especially if she's had a positive response to the first one or two. You can see she looks confused and sad when someone doesn't respond. She doesn't do it as much now as she used to.

Packrat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121540001#Comment_121540001

Anyone who won't smile/say Hi back to a toddler is an utter privk. They unfortunately do exist though.

MrMusician18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121540066#Comment_121540066

My experience is about 1 in 5 will totally blank her. It's a bit mean tbh.

apache

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121540001#Comment_121540001

Ah God I don't even like kids but I'd definitely greet her and smile.

Hamachi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121542055#Comment_121542055

Yeah. Pretty savage to blank a toddler. I would smile and say hello.

However, as an adult male, you also need to be careful in these situations. Unfortunately, given the hypersensitivity of the world we live in, men need to be very mindful of their interactions to ensure that they are not misconstrued. Perhaps that’s why some people are ignoring your young daughter?

Wanderer2010

Looking or interacting with kids = major no in todays world!

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121542259#Comment_121542259

It depends on the context of the interaction.

If the parent/guardian is present and the kid says something to you first it's ok to say hello.

MrMusician18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121542172#Comment_121542172

I've wondered about this too. Young people are less likely to greet her than older and men less likely than women.

I get that in the current social environment that men particularly are wary around children but smiling and saying hi as you are passing is a lot different to being left alone with them. I think as people are having children at an older age, younger adults in particular do not know how to react to small children. That or many people are completely self absorbed and can't even give a toddler the cheapest thing to make their day - a smile and a wave.

It's a sad state of affairs either way.

Hamsterchops

I've never heard someone saying hello back 😕

waywill1966

One that annoys me is when you say , how are you to someone and they respond with a curt “I’m good” and never ask back in return how I am!

SharkMX

I had just got a call that my best friend had just died and i was walking from work to the train station to go out to the house. All I was thinking was what am i going to say to his family. Next thing this lad says as hes giving me a horrible look. "Well carry on being that way then"

I think he must have said hello or something to me as he was walking towards me but my mind was elsewhere.

Potatoeman

In Dublin it’s a bit odd saying hello to people as you pass far too many and anyone looking to talk is looking for something, usually money. I’ve seen people that were clearly looking for directions have people blank them, which I wouldn’t do but then I no issue saying no to beggars or junkies. There is a huge difference between places and what is acceptable.

Housesearching2022

Men are the worst offenders in my experience. The thing about getting a vibe off someone as you approach can be horribly wrong. I have passed people in my local park who approach all confident, shoulders back and open body language then when I say hi, they just walk past me as if im air. No eye contact, nothing!

Hotblack Desiato

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121539955#Comment_121539955

Can't be her accent giving her away, so...?

Also these "Was X like this before Covid?" threads are funny. You'd swear 2019 was thirty years ago or something.

Giblet

Because when you say hello, I wasn't prepared and my voice could only croak out some weird honk.

NewbridgeIR

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121575697#Comment_121575697

She’s the wife of an acquaintance.