LOL! So true!

That's been my experience. I find most people say "hi" back and we just keep going on our merry way. Sometimes we actually engage in a quick conversation. Seems like people who do respond appreciate the kindness (not enough of it these days). If they don't respond, that's no big deal either. Certainly their prerogative and has no bearing on my life either way.

I teach, so I'm constantly greeting kids and other staff members, some I know, many I don't (big school). I find the kids (high schoolers) seem to enjoy a little interaction with a friendly adult and they find me approachable because I give them a quick smile.

I don't think I've always been this way. When I was more depressed, I tended to want to fade into the woodwork, but by not looking up and smiling, I was also creating a very isolated world for myself. Felt safe I guess, but in reality it was just keeping me lonely and certainly not helping me in the long run. But I've been pretty healthy and stable for a few years now and with feeling better came that confidence to just look up and be pleasant. Interestingly enough, the people who tend to respond with the most relief and genuine thanks are the people who seem to really need a kind greeting at the time. Can't hurt to spread it around, right?

I think I've turned into my parents which isn't a bad thing. They are the kind of people who have never met a stranger. They demonstrated to us how to simply be pleasant and kind to others, even people we don't know. Some of it is a small town Texas trait I guess (I'm not in a small town anymore though, but it becomes a part of you.) My husband and I went on vacation in another part of the country a few years ago and found people to be not nearly as openly friendly; rather put-offish actually. Oh well, glad we live where we do. I do think certain areas even within the U.S. have a culture about them regarding how friendly a person "should" be with people they don't know. Seems rather unfriendly and isolated coming from my area though.