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Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)

12. That's one thing that bothers me about living in Japan

Reply to Jamaal510 (Original post)

Sun Jan 19, 2014, 04:18 AM

Jan 2014

Back in Arkansas, people will often say "Hi" or "How're you doing?" to me on the street, even if they don't know me, but here (in the Kanto/Tokyo area at least, I've heard it may be different in other regions of the country) people will go out of their way to avoid looking at me as they pass me on the sidewalk or wherever.

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How often do you say "hi" to stangers when walking around? [View all] Jamaal510 Jan 2014 OP

I am happy to say hello to people on line.. AsahinaKimi Jan 2014 #1

the midwest - I have always said Hi and smiled at people rurallib Jan 2014 #2

I always do.................... mrmpa Jan 2014 #3

I do too. It's a very Pittsburgh thing! femmocrat Jan 2014 #18

yes, we Southerners are tought to be polite from birth nt arely staircase Jan 2014 #4

Always. 840high Jan 2014 #5

Largely depends on population size, imo. elleng Jan 2014 #6

I'm one of those annoying people Cadfael Jan 2014 #7

Me too! redwitch Jan 2014 #15

A kindred spirit! Cadfael Jan 2014 #27

I just go through my life chatting away with anyone I see. Walk away Jan 2014 #26

I usually try to get a smile or a chuckle Cadfael Jan 2014 #28

That's the up and down side of living in NJ....people are generally nuts... Walk away Jan 2014 #30

I often say hi to people who look like they need a pick me up. I often say hello to older people. applegrove Jan 2014 #8

All the time unless they actively avoid eye contact. nolabear Jan 2014 #9

Never unless they say hello first. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #10

Sometimes Ron Obvious Jan 2014 #11

Young women often get an aggressive "Hey -- smile!" thrown at them. Arugula Latte Jan 2014 #22

That's one thing that bothers me about living in Japan Art_from_Ark Jan 2014 #12

Definitely a small town custom. Can't imagine saying 'hi' to every stranger on the street in NY. mnhtnbb Jan 2014 #13

Often, Joe Shlabotnik Jan 2014 #14

always. I am Canadian, need I say more? auntAgonist Jan 2014 #16

Ditto nt laundry_queen Jan 2014 #25

Whenever I catch eye-contact with a passerby. Iggo Jan 2014 #17

Depends on my mood LadyHawkAZ Jan 2014 #19

No...and I avoid all eye contact too.. HipChick Jan 2014 #20

It depends on the situation. Arugula Latte Jan 2014 #21

I spent a lot of my youth in Europe and my mother is French aint_no_life_nowhere Jan 2014 #23

Not nearly often enough, in all probability..... (nt) Paladin Jan 2014 #24

Pretty often, actually. It's not unusual in this part of the country Arkansas Granny Jan 2014 #29

Up here, being polite to strangers is a matter of survival... MrScorpio Jan 2014 #31

Howdy or Hi, almost always. I spent 4 years at Texas A&M HereSince1628 Jan 2014 #32

I voted always - "almost always" would be more accurate ConcernedCanuk Jan 2014 #33

I have social anxiety JonLP24 Jan 2014 #34

Anyone who's look I catch... rppper Jan 2014 #35

I'm southern, its a rule. Everyone gets a courteous greeting... ms liberty Jan 2014 #36

I generally do a head bob/bow to everyone I pass by. Xyzse Jan 2014 #37

It's pretty much second nature here Sissyk Jan 2014 #38

It depends on cultural setting. I was raised in big-city north-east, where struggle4progress Jan 2014 #39