Do I owe a greeting here ?

[Doug]

I walk to my mailbox to get my mail ( gang mailbox for like 65 unit condo complex).

This old guy ( like 70) is pulled up in his car, with Florida plates ( in CT). I'm aware that he lives here, a couple of buildings over, but I've never spoken to him before.

I pass him ( on foot), as he's exiting his car, don't say anything to him ( don't know him).

He gives me.... "Hello, to you too !". I say Hello, how ya doin ! ?.... no response !

I guess I could have said Hello, but I just didn't.

I'd acknowledge his Hello if he initiated it, maybe even talk to him for 5 minutes.

I would never say .... Hello, to you too ! .... like I was obligated to greet the guy to the mailboxes.

Am I wrong ?

I could have said Hello as I passed by him, I'll admit that.

 

[whalewager]

I always wish I would try and greet people that I pass more. It depends on the mood I am in...I think you probably should have said hello but f him...he didnt have to be an asshole to you...

 

[barman]

Drive the SheBar crazy for 12 years now when we go out because I say some form of greeting to almost anyone with who I make eye contact.

 

[barman]

I like where DOUG draws the line for "Old" guy. (70)

 

[Doug]

I always wish I would try and greet people that I pass more. It depends on the mood I am in...I think you probably should have said hello but f him...he didnt have to be an asshole to you...

I wasn't in a particulary good or bad mood, but I felt his comment was kind of snotty ! He could just have easily greeted me, and I'd have been polite.

He didn't talk to me... after my Hello, how ya doin' ?

I'm not a badass about it, I'll make sure I say Hello to this guy first, next time.

Reminds me of a Seinfeld episode, actually.

It's just a weird thing, like he got pissed because I didn't greet him first. :think2:

 

[MikeB]

You should have kicked his walker out from under him.

That would have taught him not to be a smartass.

 

[GasMan]

At least he knows where he fucking stands and you dont have to be fake nice to him from here on out.

If you really feel bad take him a batch of biscuits.

 

[viking611]

i smile and say something to almost anyone i come across on the sidewalk or at a mailbox, etc., as a kind gesture. But we here in the midwest are a little friendlier than most, for the most part!

Not saying you were obligated to say anything to him but he certainly didn't have to say something back like an asshole.

 

[Buster]

don't worry about it...typical yankee **** that seasons in florida and when people down there get tired of him telling them how "they do it up north"....he goes back up there and tries to impress everyone with everything he really learned in the south,such as being halfway nice to people....

**** that old man and if he were on here i'd show him...

 

[Doug]

I'd have been more likely to be chatty, if we were both sticking our keys in the boxes ( so to speak), at the same time.

It was weird... I'm over it. I'll say Hello, next to old bastard next time. I usually do say Hello, and crap like that to the old folks that live here, when I meet them at the mailbox,etc.

This guy just didn't look like the type that wanted it.

 

[barman]

I'll say Hello, next to old bastard next time

He's much more likely to notice and for sure to offer some kind of response if you do yours in song....maybe with a little soft shoe to go with it

 

[Doug]

maybe I'll break dance for him ?

 

[barman]

oh no...none of that urban stuff

Two words


Show Tunes

Learn a few and bust out on him

You might make a new friend

 

[Thomas]

Doug I guess you answered your own question here or you wouldn't have asked in the first place, regardless the guy I think is a little bit of an asshole with his comeback line so I wouldn't lose sleep over him. I know that look you speak of from the ol guy though, disinterested I call it.

I walk 10k every day in a beautiful park here where I live and I see a lot of people on my trips, I always smile and say hello or wave, whatever, some people just don't respond. Older retired people always reciprocate and most women as well but the rock hard runners seldom acknowledge me as well as the bitter 50 + guys working off a heart attack, strange.
I think you should treat people as you expect to be treated by others, simple rule.

 

[BCTTWR]

Doug, Tell the old fart to fuck off. You don't owe him a hello.

 

[Presto]

Let me get this straight. As a reward for his passive-aggressive behavior, you are now obligated to kiss his ass? This stupid hick didn't even realize you went out of your way to not intrude on his time and privacy. That is the way it should be in most circumstances, especially in a large city. That is showing respect.

So stupid hick decided to open fire across your bow. Next time show him how important he is with a big loud and unceremonious "what up neighbor"? Make sure you show a large and obnoxious smile to show how much you value his presence.

 

[Doug]

It would be one thing if I knew the guy at all... I don't

There was a Seinfeld episode like this, with Elaine.

It is small town,here.

I would never say "Hello, to you too ! ", if some neighbor I didn't know walked by me. Way different if I know the person, and just walk by them.

I'm the type that would help an unknown neighbor move furniture, for the asking, give a jump start, loan tools, etc. I'm not a bad neighbor, at all.

 

[Uno]

wow doug is a cock... seriously i get tired of people i don't know saying stuff to me. i have enough people i know i don't wanna talk to.

 

[Willie99]

You live in CT, fuck him

tell him to fly south with the other snow birds if he wants people to be outwardly polite.

we don't have time for that in the northeast corridor