discussion Do you get annoyed when random people smile or say "hi" to you when you're in public?

[Bitter Aging Twink]

Lately I've been on a weight-loss journey, and I've made it my mission to get at least 10k steps in per day, in order to keep my holiday love handles at bay.  I try to go for walks either in the morning, on my lunch break, or after work.  When I go in the morning or on my lunch break, it's annoying because it's bright enough outside for people to see my face on the street or on the trail, which makes me feel obligated to make eye contact with them too, even though I don't want to.  If I happen to be out in the morning, there's this one middle-aged white woman I see, and everytime she passes me by, her facial expression goes from completely neutral to a beaming smile, like this:

I don't like it when random people acknowledge my existence in public spaces in general, but I hate it even more when they smile over the top like that and then expect me to give back similar energy to them in return, like I'm supposed to be ecstatic just to see yet another stranger.  Idk.  Am I the arsehole here, or is anybody else just as annoyed when random people smile at you and/or say "hi" to you in public, begetting a similar response from yourself in return?

 

[Raphy23]

I used to because I was a very anxious person. But then I got put on SSRIs and now I love it. 

[Joyride]

lock yourself in your room

[Baby Dancer]

It's just a human, a social animal, most wont hurt you. You sound a little insecure.

[brokee]

Noooo I really love it feels so great 

[Maneater]

People annoy me 99% of the time but please a smile and hello are so harmless 

 

[Devin]

thats a common thing any human does. go seek some fckin therapy.

 

as an introvert w/ some social anxiety i dont even act like that. 

[Zeferino]

It's your username for real tho 

 

And no, I don't find it that annoying

[Revolution]

Yes, I find it strange. I'm used to the city or subway where strangers ignore each other. But when I was walking around my neighborhood for exercise, all these Karens started saying hi and good morning to me. I was very confused. And angry.

[UnusualBoy]

Girl, go check yourself pls...

 

It's a normal thing and wish I was more like that tbh, I feel like I have a serious face all the time and people tend to think I'm either grumpy or annoyed when I'm actually not lol.

[Maleficent]

It can actually brighten a bad day for me tbh.  There's something uplifting about someone you don't even know being nice to you.

[xXavril]

No I like small little interactions like that 

 

now, if someone tries to stop me and initiate a conversation I would like it a little less 

[Gesamtkunstwerk]

This does not happen in my country 

 

But I don't mind it when it does, I think it's sweet

Edited 17 hours ago by Gesamtkunstwerk

[Pikachoo]

[Reginald]

No 

[Venice B]

You could just wear sunglasses if you want to avoid this kind of interaction.

 

I usually don't mind it though, but there's this one guy who always passes by me when I'm walking my dog at the end of the day and he always compliments me and he sounds just too overly friendly and it's almost like he knows me but we never properly met. It kinda creeps me out because I don't see him doing that with anyone else so I just smile and nod.

[ChooseyLover]

If anything, it makes my day. People aren't usually that nice unless they have to be.

[dman4life]

I wouldn't say annoyed but I don't care for it lol. I'm just antisocial and don't care for unnecessary interactions but I always respond back because I'm not a jerk and understand ppl are just being friendly or polite. 

[laqqinq]

According to me, whenever I bump into, pass by, or come across anyone that I know (and they know me) in any sense, I acknowledge their presence with a smile, not too wide nor too faint. If we don't interact regularly but have in the past, or know each other through a friend or relative of theirs or mine, then I smile at them and move on or stop to talk a little bit. If I know them very well and interact with them pretty, or very, frequently, then I talk to them a little, even for just a few minutes to ask about how's it going, or to help them with something, and then proceed with myself,

[ScorpiosGroove]

only if they're ugly

 

 

[SinnerCity]

You are indeed, a bitter aging twink

[Illuminati]

Is politeness problematic now?

 

Usually I don't get inconvenienced by spontaneous positivity because people in East Europe don't smile and I'm ugly but you can always just stare into the distance if it makes you uncomfortable to make eye contact

Edited 17 hours ago by Illuminati

[MattieB]

Why should I? Thats how you end up a miserable endless soulless pit like MAGA

[Musicmajor]

I live in an apartment complex and often times I have to share an elevator, or I walk past someone when I am walking my dog. I think it's MORE awkward when you just pretend like the other person doesn't exist (especially when you have to see them multiple times a week). I understand some people have anxiety about social interactions (especially with strangers) and some people just like social skills and politeness in general. I think to each their own, but I always say hello. Sometimes people literally do not say anything back or ignore me, which does bother me, but it is what it is!

[gagacasanova]

No. I work in a very public facing environment, so I don't mind it as I'm used to it. I do the same thing, too.