[shakespeare47]

My 7 yr old son frequently refuses to acknowledge a stranger's presence. Should I insist that he does?

I don't think it's a big deal. And people tend to understand... I don't think he's ever offended anyone. And I wouldn't be offended if a child didn't acknowledge my presence.

I bring it up because people say hello to him at church, and he rarely, if ever, replies.

[Trippin2.0]

As a parent, and someone's daughter, I believe its only good manners to return a greeting, and that good manners are an important lesson while growing up.


My daughter has never been keen on new people, so I've never forced her to interact, but she has been well aware from an early age (about 3 or 4) that she's at least expected to partake in pleasantries, such as greeting and answering the "how are you?" questions...


After that she is excused from conversing.


Idk, that's just my take on it, maybe its partly cultural, my upbringing etc, but that's how I view it, and everyone I know shares the same view.

So it is kind of expected where we live.

[TishaBuv]

Is he being rude, or just painfully shy?

I'd say to him when he meets the person "Say hello to xx, xxx" and if he wouldn''t say anything, I'd just ignore it. Like you do with a younger kid. He'll grow out of it and eventually speak.

[shakespeare47]

Ive never interpreted it as his being rude. But I do sometimes compulsively apologize. I think im going to just ignore it and let him decide how and when to respond.

[technigal]

My son is autistic and I try and say that x said hello and then he responds. He is 10 and I am trying to teach how social interaction goes. He will talk to anyone but he seems to miss when someone says "hi" to him.

[Yoda]

I don't think it is any big deal as a seven year old.

I recall when I was seventeen years old my dad was taking me to Berea College for a summer program for disadvantaged Appalachian youth and when we got to the dorm one of the other students said hello to me and my dad had to tap me on the arm and told me to say hello.

[Patagonia]

I think kids sometimes live in their own little bubble. I don't think it's bad.
I always hated when my parents would stop & talk to someone. Basically it took my parents attention away from me! Lol.

But for respect, yeah for like gparents I'd ask my kids to acknowledge them.

He's 7. He's not being rude yet. It's up to parents to teach good manners and I see no reason NOT to, frankly. Unless of course there is a condition that makes it difficult.

I am not offended by what children say either, but you wouldn't be teaching him manners because of what others think, but more so that he learns how to interact better when he becomes older.