It's one human saying to another 'we are united by the fact that we're both humans, both outside/inside/trapped in this deadly labyrinth, and in this spirit I wish you well'.
But it doesn't always happen seamlessly. I have decided that there are really three groups into which stranger greetings fit:
1. The Warm Greeting - this is the friendly, genuine, greeting. It can occur in any of the following places, though this listing is by no means exhaustive: parks, residential streets, otherwise nearly empty corridors in buildings, stairs, lifts, doorways (though these are usually much briefer). The greeter will usually bestow a smile, eye contact, and a "hey". They will usually maintain eye contact, allowing for the recipient of the Warm Greeting to respond. Both parties then disengage amiably, and continue on their ways, each feeling a little lighter.
2. The 'Let's Do This' Greeting - almost always, a male greeter delivers this particular form of stranger greeting. It begins as soon as the two have identified each other. Their paths will intersect. The greeter and greetee mentally steel themselves, preparing their lines. But not too early! NEVER too early, because then a conversation has been opened, and it may be several seconds before they pass one another. Instead, at the last moment, a 'Morning' is thrown out, reciprocated, and a shared sigh of relief is exhaled as they pass one another, their civil duty done.
3. The 'AVOID GREETING AT ANY COST' - this occurs when one party has an aversion to any kind of stranger greeting, and so will completely avoid eye contact, staring straight ahead, or at a watch, or mobile, or impromptu newspaper fashioned from some leafy detritus on the footpath. This works well if neither parties wish to engage in a greeting, but can cause hurt and embarrassment if one party does not recognise the intentions of the other, and either attempts eye contact, or volunteers a nod and 'Hello' automatically. The other person will usually pretend not to have noticed, and continue walking.
I am so tired that I can't even fully comprehend how boring a topic this was. But I have thought this when I go for a walk in my local park. I wanted to draw some pictures for it, but I have decided that they don't always enhance a post, especially when they are appalling.
Sorry.
2 comments:
I think these days the anti social barrier champion is the mp3 player.
Quite true - although yesterday I encountered a man who made no attempt to be otherwise engaged, and simply avoided me absolutely.
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