What do people get from ignoring you when you greet them? Is it a control issue? This can't be a cultural thing, can it? I'm thinking of work environments and school when specific people all of a sudden turn sour for absolutely no reason. Even if you don't like the person, does it not take more effort not to greet back someone than a simple hello?

I know there are a million reasons. Maybe they didn't see you, maybe they were in deep thought. I'm talking about repeated incidents, when they establish eye contact yet refuse to acknowledge you. After a while you get tired and stop looking at them passing by and most of the time, then they start greeting you again when you give them the cold shoulder.

I greet everyone. My neighbors, the homeless guy around the corner, the ice cream man.... Just trying to understand.

This drives me crazy. I think it is rude not to return a greeting. How hard is it to say hello or what's up dude? I moved down south and they were supposed to be so friendly. People in Ohio are alot friendlier......

It's very much a cultural thing and unfortunately I see this mainly with women when I am out in public, most men, even grizzled and angry will give you a nod or an acknowledgement at the very least.

I dont want to get into an in depth psycho/social explanation but there are a few obvious factors at play in our society.

For example, at the gym I go to, and this is a pretty mainstream, large scale establishment, all the male receptionists, trainers and salesmen are for the most part cordial but the women, and Ive watched this, very rarely smile or return greetings.

I've also noticed that some of the big businesses around here, Vons, Rite Aid, Starbucks, etc. FORCE their employees to greet people so you hear these amazingly templated, robotic greetings and salutations. They must have had lots of complaints and realized they couldn't count on their employees to think for themselves (My favorite is @ Vons, "Would you like help with that to your car??" Even when its a 6'1" 190lb man who's just bought a bag of grapes...It's hard not to laugh).

I don't take it too personal but Ive almost complained to the gym manager myself, just because it's so unprofessional and tacky.

But yeah, I see it a lot and I don't remember things being like this 10 years ago.

Humm don't know have not really ran into that problem myself.

i've been known to not respond to greetings.
muh bad.
>.<
it's not that i'm ignoring you.
it's just that it's unexpected.
i don't know if you're talking to me or someone else.
i'd rather not look like an idiot by responding to something that wasn't meant for me.
also, it's really unnecessary.
if you want to talk,
then talk.
it's not as if the word hi is going to lead to a conversation.
if you look directly at me and say hey,
then of course i'll respond.
i still find it quite superfluous.

Yeah...that's a lot more cultural issue too.Not necessary they are up to ignoring you but in some cultures saying hi / hello to everyone is considered as over smartness too!!!May sound strange,but its a fact.At least you ppl will agree that we greet & expect greetings from ppl for our proving / ensuring / building self importance but there are few societies which are away from these SELF issues

The best example is I guess Japanese.

Japanese are so much into their own & their work, that seldom they give u a smile or say hello or establishes an eye contact,but it do not mean that they are ignoring you,rather they are very much careful for everyone around them with all time concern over their minds as if their existence is disturbance.
They are so polite,gentle & busy with their work all the time that they keep running all the time with their eyes almost always on ground & so they never greets you.In fact if you need some help on japanese streets then only your acting / gestures of being helpless or into trouble will not help you,you will have to directly stop the fast running japanese & ask them openly for help.

Unlike most of the european countries,many socities in india too are kind of shy to greet everyone they meet,but it surely dont mean everytime that they are upto ignoring you.

that's another thing.
i'm a negative person i suppose.
but more likely than not,
i'm not glad you're here.
i'm indifferent.
i try not to be rude,
and i will greet people.
but honestly,
i'm just doing it because people get their feelings hurt if i don't.

I never ignore people who smile and say hi to me. I just hiss at them.

I try to say Hi to everyone but that doesnt mean Im gonna be your buddy, its just a simple greeting!!

Hi Ruth!

Hisssssssssssssssssssssss!

Mikey...I dont remember u ever TRIED to say me Hi.

you do live in California, right ?

OMG yeah...she is so true..!!


(Ruth,where were u been friend?Not seen u since a long time!)

I've been here! Where have YOU been?

I don't think I have either.

I'm daily sucking mingle2.I guess u must be on mingle3 then.

Then I guess u r that problem creator!!

Many who come on the net suffer issues of fear and discloser,,so many won't speak to YOU if ya sent them 50 emails,,,lol,,
me,,I like to send a hug,,or a wink,,and IF they want to talk to me more,,they can send me an email,,or just return my wink,,and I'll at least know their not speachless on here,,w/o doing that long email to find that out?
Me personally on here,,I try and return all emails,,,

In real life, everyone says hello to me. But, I have no idea who they are. I sometimes say hello back.

On the internet, nobody says hello, but I say Hi to everyone.

How strange ^_^

1000th post GET!!! :D!!!