General Discussion

MadHound

(34,179 posts)

3. I find that to be the attitude of both coasts, and large cities,

Reply to undergroundpanther (Original post)

Thu Apr 4, 2013, 03:29 PM

Apr 2013

However here in the Midwest, at least in my neck of the woods, we still say hello to each other, get into conversations with complete strangers, with no problem whatsoever. However I have found that when I go to large coastal cities, NYC, LA, people tend to look askance at me with that "he's crazy" look when I say hello, much less try to engage them in a random conversation. I guess it is a regional thing.

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why do we ignore our lonliness? [View all] undergroundpanther Apr 2013 OP

Wow. That is an incredibly powerful piece with a profound message. _/|\_ WheelWalker Apr 2013 #1

Talk to the other person in line with you Duer 157099 Apr 2013 #2

When I am out and about I always look a person in the eye and say hello and even give a smile. southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #27

I find that to be the attitude of both coasts, and large cities, MadHound Apr 2013 #3

I found the opposite Trajan Apr 2013 #26

Love this! redstatebluegirl Apr 2013 #4

Some of us want to be left alone. darkangel218 Apr 2013 #5

Totally agree. LancetChick Apr 2013 #7

Same here. I have been labeled a hermit. n/t RebelOne Apr 2013 #8

Well, we're surronded by pets. Not complete hermits darkangel218 Apr 2013 #9

Yep TygrBright Apr 2013 #10

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2013 #21

Introverted, eh? YoungDemCA Apr 2013 #28

I like to be left alone sometimes, not always, and I can be RKP5637 Apr 2013 #29

Another introvert checking in MadrasT Apr 2013 #43

The individual pursuit of an individual happiness is the pursuit of loneliness. WheelWalker Apr 2013 #6

and loneliness undergroundpanther Apr 2013 #11

Sounds like you've read Phillip Slater WheelWalker Apr 2013 #13

It is our continuing evolution into becoming just like machines. Rex Apr 2013 #12

... eventually synaptically connected into the internet ... and eventually, "The Matrix." n/t RKP5637 Apr 2013 #30

I run into people who start ranting about Obama, when I have said nothing to set them off. Manifestor_of_Light Apr 2013 #14

I went in a U Haul recently and all the clerk did was rant and rave about taxes ... it was RKP5637 Apr 2013 #31

You realize some people hate everybody else all the time. Manifestor_of_Light Apr 2013 #34

Yep, exactly! n/t RKP5637 Apr 2013 #42

NYC rule #3: Energy attracts like energy KurtNYC Apr 2013 #15

Love it, Kurt! Can I ask..... bettyellen Apr 2013 #24

They're not rules so much as something like the laws of physics KurtNYC Apr 2013 #32

Thank you! All true, but #3 is so important to keep in mind. bettyellen Apr 2013 #35

That was awesome ismnotwasm Apr 2013 #16

One sidenote about eye contact: Long ago I developed the habit of mostly avoiding it with men Arugula Latte Apr 2013 #17

I just came across this article talking about this very thing: Arugula Latte Apr 2013 #20

Same here. treestar Apr 2013 #39

All my life I have conversed with strangers SoCalDem Apr 2013 #18

Thats not how I was raised in Kentucky. William769 Apr 2013 #19

I embrace my loneliness. Apophis Apr 2013 #22

People have different personalities but we all need some form of interaction or we wouldn't be liberal_at_heart Apr 2013 #23

I am guilty of that Urban solitude. I love it. pink-o Apr 2013 #25

don't you mean 'buy *less* shit'? HiPointDem Apr 2013 #33

Thanx! Edited. pink-o Apr 2013 #40

It's a breakdown in our Social Structure and Fragmentation of us KoKo Apr 2013 #36

I chat with stranger all the time. MineralMan Apr 2013 #37

I think it is just mere numbers treestar Apr 2013 #38

I believe that the bigger the population the more lonlieness there is . olddots Apr 2013 #41

This is an ironic post for me about how I feel about DU GiveMeFreedom Apr 2013 #44

We're taught to mistrust each other. That keeps us weak. :-| K&R n/t DeSwiss Apr 2013 #45

I'm very shy IrishEyes Apr 2013 #46

You did the right thing, although at the risk of Ron Green Apr 2013 #47