Does anyone still do this? I used to smile at anyone and everyone I walked past back when I lived in Barnsley but Leeds doesn't seem a very smiley sort of place so I soon stopped. Back in the day anyone you walked past would get a 'good morning' and a smile, especially if you were both walking dogs at the time. I remember making a conscious effort to smile at old people when I was with a group of my friends as I lived next to an old people's estate and was always worried that they would be scared of us, even though none of us would have said boo to a goose. Anyway, after seeing lots of posts about depression lately since Robin Williams' death, I thought I would have a go again during my trip to Morrisons today. I planned on only smiling at one person but I ended up smiling at lots more than that. The first person I smiled at was a guy around about in his 50s/60s. He was looking a bit sad pushing his trolley across the car park so I flashed a quick smile and he looked surprised at first but then returned it. A couple of things I noticed: I smile mainly at guys - no idea why, it's not because I found any of them attractive, I think I just expect women to be more wary of my smiles. I don't smile at anyone under the age of 30. After smiling at a few people I realised I was walking around with a smile on my face - I'm usually one of those people who everyone says 'smile' or 'cheer up it might never happen' to so it felt kind of weird to not have my grumpy face on. I have no idea what the point of this post was except perhaps to find out if other people do still smile at strangers and if there's particular groups you do/don't smile at.
Over here, everyone jokes about the 'foreigner nod' that becomes second nature once you've been here a while. I'll say hello to people that I recognise and usually it gets returned. There are some that will start a conversation with anyone, just because they know they speak English.
It's one of the things that I couldn't get my head round when I started at Northern College. Everyone seems to smile, say "Good morning. How are you?" And they really mean it. It has the best atmosphere of any place I've worked. I really look forward to going to work.
I always smile and say hello when I'm out walking especially on the Tarns Pennine Trail. Everyone does don't they? However smile and say hello on the underground in London and they'll think you're a nutter.That's the difference between the North and South.
I thought it was pretty much standard procedure to smile at anyone you pass. I always give a little smile and always get one from others who pass me. Its not a huge grin but a little smile of recognition and greeting. If im out walking or somewhere with less people i always say morning or hello to people I pass.
I think your last sentence if the key thing here. In Leeds there's just so many people, especially when students are around. No-one really smiles at anyone here.
Small town culture, surely? Having said that, even here in SW London when out jogging I often get a smile or a nod from fellow joggers. Only seems to happen when you have the same looney pasttime. Probably the same with dog-walkers.
I did it all the time when I was younger, then I moved down south, and people are not exactly friendly. In fact they are down right rude, as I used to end up smiling or saying hello, and people looked at me as if I'd just told them to eff off. So I gradually stopped doing it. I've moved back to Barnsley 3 years ago and I'm finding I'm doing it more and more again. It's a culture thing isn't it? People are more friendlier up North, although as JamDrop has found out Leeds isn't. Is that to do with being a big city? Dunno ...
I normally give people a little nod and say heyup..... I do seem to get a conversation going with anybody though. My girlfriend goes mad with me for doing it but I can't help it. We went on holiday last year and we ended up sat apart on the plane and she never spoke to me for the first day because I got chatting to the man and women next to me on the plane most of the way. She has been in hospital this week having an operation and while I was waiting on her coming out (3 hour op) I got chatting to a man and his wife in the waiting room then the day after when I was wheeling her out in her wheelchair I saw them again and ended having a good ten minute chat with them again. A I must just have one of them faces because young or old people just talk to me and I really enjoy it.... It's a Yorkshire thing if you ask me.
I smile and say hello to just about everyone I walk past. Not in Barnsley town centre or in a football crowd, too many people it'd be just weird, but in the village or when I'm out walking. Almost everyone in Barnsley reciprocates or even gets their hellos in first. Different kettle of fish in other parts of the country. You say hello to people down south and they look at you like you're going to attack them.
It's at work where I find it entertaining. I get in at 5:50am and as I make my way to our department (5 minute walk) I smile and say hello/morning to everybody, usually the same folk every day. The lads/lasses finishing the night shift. It's the same routine every day. Then I get into our department and make a point of shaking most of my colleagues hands and saying good morning to them. I even greet the Polish lads with the Polish 'good morning'. I can't spell it so won't bother. Same goes for the Punjabi greeting. Might seem weird to some, but I like it. And then 2pm comes along and I'm greeted by the twilight shift and the ritual begins again.
Yeah when I walk through Barnsley town centre I smile and saying morning/afternoon to as many people as possible...
Dzień dobry (Pronounced 'jean dough-bree') One of the few Polish phrases I managed to master from my Father-in-Law.
As the mighty DIO said Don't talk to strangers,they are only there to do you harm' http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...&mid=80B6B533593A99CA60DA80B6B533593A99CA60DA