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I say hello and smile to everyone. Try not to internalize other people's reactions. Be the first to initiate the smile and hello, make sure you are looking them in the eyes.
It disarms people, and if it is genuine, they will know it by the look in your eyes.
After all, the eyes are the only part of the human body that is outwardly connected to the brain...hence 'the window to the soul'
On the trail? No, I don't greet anyone, and other people rarely do either. I used to, thinking I was being polite, but after a while I could tell it just made most people uncomfortable.
There's plenty of reasons that have nothing to do with you that they don't say hello. It could be that: 1)They see news stories about people getting mugged/killed/raped in the woods and are on guard. 2) You have to figure people are on a nature trail (instead of being on a treadmill or track next to people) because they just want to be with nature.
3) Most people just aren't polite anymore.
Nothing to take personally. You're taking your walk for yourself anyway, right? Enjoy nature.
LOL. If they're that paranoid than don't go walking in the woods.
Your number 3 is the only one that makes sense.
On number 2, how much effort does it take to say "hello", you don't have to stop and have a talk about politics.
Also smarter to say hello and be pleasant, if you end up twisting your ankle while on your walk people tend to be more helpful when you're friendly.
Not too many people rushing to the help the person who has walked past them every morning for 3 months and never said "hello" back.
Our neighborhood here in Pensacola has a mix of retirees, military personnel, transplants that still work (like me) and a few locals. There a couple of people on our street that aren't all that friendly but overall everyone waves, walks over to talk, and interacts like neighbors in general. Our neighborhood is also racially diverse with whites, blacks, Palestinians and Indians (from India, not Native American).
We have lived in other states where the neighbors didn't wave or even acknowledge our presence. Meh
On the trail? A token nod of the head with a noncommittal half-smile is about the most to expect.
In my immediate neighborhood people say Hello and may even stop and chat.
On a nearby trail, most people nod and 60-70% say hello. Many people are preoccupied with their dogs or by walking fast or running or by biking so it is rare that people say very much more than hello.
You mentioned that you are a different race than most of the residents. My area is probably 95% Caucasian so I suspect that someone who is not may be viewed as someone who may not be a neighbor.
I grew up in Brooklyn. Now live in Boston. Only greeting I get is from neighbors that I know. I wouldn't call it a warm and fuzzy place 'round here. People don't even greet one another in the parking lot (common lot shared by surrounding buildings).
Even those I've met before - many of them don't greet me. Whatev...I'm sure the sticks up their arses hurt more than my feelings.
Not being greeted on a trail? I don't think that's unusual at all.
Best of luck, and just to make you feel better:
Hi there!
Last edited by G-fused; 01-14-2016 at 02:27 PM..
Reason: spelling
It depends on where you live. I lived in NJ in a wonderful neighborhood where we all helped each other and spoke to one another. Loved it. Same with PA.
I now live in Texas and no one talks in my neighborhood, drives me nuts! We moved in and not a single neighbor came over to introduce themselves. I have introduced myself to almost everyone I see outside, invited neighbors to any party we have, nothing is reciprocated.
That said, the neighborhood next to ours is completely the opposite. It's really the luck of the draw.
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