Sunday, June 03, 2007

Hi!

This is a petty observation but I've just got to flame about it.

The world is divided into two types of people; the people who say "hi" first and the people who don't.

I've spent my life always saying hi to someone the minute I recognize them. I can't help it.

Today I bumped into a dad at my son's baseball game. I don't know him well but he seems like a nice person. Every time we cross pathes I ALWAYS say hello first and then he immediately responds. I can tell he's just waiting for me to acknowledge him. Because this behavior confuses me, I try to keep our exchanges pleasant and brief.

Being a "hi" first person isn't always as easy at it looks. Maybe it's wiser to be more reserved - then you're not vulnerable. Unfortunately, that's not a world I can live in. It would make me too depressed to start screening people at this point in my life.

So I guess I'll just keep saying it.

Hi!

10 comments:

Michael said...

Even worse are the people who ignore your hello altogether. I sometimes fall into this category for one reason or another (surprise, preoccupation, etc.) and feel like a real schmuck afterward.

east village idiot said...

Michael - let's face it! It's a jungle out there!

ellesu said...

I'm sitting here laughing. I'm a Hi! first person myself. Although I admit that I find myself more and more just tentatively smiling in acknowledgement. People are changing around here.

Kranki said...

I had to think about this post and begin to notice whether I was a HI first person. I'd say that I am about 75% of the time.

So HI!

nejyerf said...

just coming out of the woodwork to say "Hi"

i like to say good morning too.

especially to the lady who walks her beagle dog down our road in the mornings.

and have you noticed that in general, dogs have NO issues about being the first one to say hello?

and even less of a problem if they don't get a response?

ah, the happy-go-lucky life of a dog

east village idiot said...

ellesu - i'd hate to think that the south is going the way of the rest of the not hi first nation. that's what i like best about it.

kranki - i'm surprised you're a hi first type. you seem far too wise!

nejyerf - thanks for coming out of the blogisphere to say hi :)

Rice said...

As much as I want to be "cool" enough to wait it out, I can't help myself. It comes blurting out without a second thought. Then I get pissed if someone ignores me.

JT said...

I'm glad you do! I wish I were more of a "hi" person--it is hard for some of us.

Dr. Deb said...

Oh, that is SO true.

I'm a hi person as well.

Anonymous said...

i'm southern. i MUST say 'hi' ... sometimes people say hi back, and sometimes they don't. whatever - I like saying hi and making an effort to connect ... to brighten my day as well as someone else's. some folks just dont seem to *want* their day brightened.

nejyerf is right. my dog is *so* happy when she sees everybody. she wants them to be happy to see her too. but, if they're not, no biggie, their loss ... the next person will definitely say hi. and might even have a treat.

oh, and, hi!