logos999

Yes, I remeber many Texans not behaving that strange, and the were far better drivers in the south in general. In New England driving was a nighmare. They're going ultra slow, but it isn't worth passing, because you're stuck behind the next car after a few seconds.

Guenmai

Hetismij...I found your comment a bit strange when you said that basically you wouldn't try greeting people on the streets in L.A. although you've done it in Pasadena and people greet back.
First of all, when we say L.A., we're basically referring to the whole county which is 500 square miles (800 square meters) big. Now, there are some differences depending on where one is in the county. However, I've been here since the mid 60s and I don't care where I've been in the county,it's not unusual to give or receive eye contact and a greeting on the street. It's just one of those things I've always been used to experiencing.
Before movong to L.A. county in the 60s, we lived an hour north of Santa Barbara and the same was very common there.
The first time I went to Europe, Denmark for the whole summer living with a Danish family, I was 17, (I'm early 50s now) and when I came back and my parents asked me about some cultural differences, the first thing I said was that it was very strange and isolating to me that there was nearly no eye contact on the street and people hardly ever greeted or chatted with strangers on the street. The only people who would talk to me on the street were elderly people which was great.If I sat down on a bus bench, they would chat. I just chalked it up to cultural differences not rudeness. Happy Travels!

Travelnut

Why is everybody so defensive? Here, we're in OUR country, so we do what's comfortable and normal for US. Sorry if that makes Loco999 'mad'.

logos999

I all other parts of the world it's called "polite" to answer when addressed. It's as simple as that.

Guenmai

I agree Travelnut. We are in OUR country and not saying good morning is no big deal. I absolutely don't get offended if people don't say good morning to me as I don't say it a lot myself. But, I'm very big on other greetings, acknowledging people's presence in the public, saying "hi", and always saying, "Have a nice day and giving a smile". Happy Travels!

vjpblovesitaly

So you actually walk up to the table and give the greeting? I was thinking it was a general greeting upon entering.

logos999

Yep, and usually in Germany, France, Italy, England, Scotland, CZ, Switzerland, Australia, Singapore... people answer. Same thing when you leave your room in the morning and see someone. Or in the Elevator.

j_999_9

Let me make sure I have the rules straight for Americans (as noted on Fodor's).

We should say "good morning" upon encountering others at the same accommodation. But we shouldn't politely greet people on the street, nor should we smile for no good reason.

I think I'm going to need to take notes on this stuff. It's harder than I thought.

BTilke

Based on the tone of your previous posts about the U.S., I suspect the Americans were caught off guard because they weren't sure who was talking to them: You or that giant chip on your shoulder.
Subconsciously, they probably figured it was the chip talking and nothing they could say would meet with your approval anyway.

thursdaysd

I grew up in a smallish town in England, and people certainly didn't greet strangers on the street. Out hiking, yes - round town, no. Now I live in the US, and go everywhere by car, lol, so that issue doesn't arise.

In Europe, I try to remember to say a general "Good Morning" in the appropriate language when entering a breakfast room - provided I'm staying in a small place. In the US I would greet people at breakfast in a B&B, but not in a hotel.

Skyeblue_mpls

Bonjour! It is not customary to greet an entire restaurant full of people with a mass "Good Morning." in the US, unless perhaps you are with a touring group. It depends on the situation. Individual greetings are more common. It is common in the workplace as you are entering a meeting or passing people. Have to say though. I did not witness this in hotels in Europe. Please don't take it personally. It just is not the same custom that you are familiar with!

nytraveler

New Yorkers don't say "Good morniing" to everyone they meet because:

There are about 10,000 people living on my block

There are well over a hundred on the subway car I ride to work (if I cab it I say Good Morning to the driver)

My office is in a building 32 stories high with many thousands of employees

If I said Good Mornng to all those people - I'd still be saying it when I went to bed.

Life has to adapt to circumstances.

I say Good Morning if a meet a fellow tenant in the apartment elevator, and to the person I buy my coffee from, and to the receptionist at the office. Otherwise - it's every man for himself.

And that's not rude or impolite - just a numerical fact of life.

tcreath

"people answer. Same thing when you leave your room in the morning and see someone. Or in the Elevator."

That's a pretty vast generalization, not unlike, for example, saying that all French people are rude. People are different. Most of us probably are polite and do smile or acknowledge someone in an elevator, but not always. I work with people who barely muster up a smile, let alone a good morning, when I pass them in the break room. I'm personally not a morning person, so most of the time I run into the elevator and hit the "close" button right away so I won't have to ride up with someone I don't know.

I think it definitely depends on where you are at and what you are doing. I grew up in a small town in Southern Illinois and we are the type to carry on a long conversation with someone we met in line at a grocery store. But not everyone is like that, and to assume that is kind of silly. And
I would never walk into a room and announce a big "good morning" to a bunch of people sitting there eating. I say it when I pass someone on a trail or a neighbor as I'm walking my dog, but otherwise it's just not that common around here.

Tracy

Guenmai

Typing correction...800 square kilometers...not meters...to my above post. I was typing too fast. Smiles. Happy Travels!

LoveItaly

I am getting such a kick out of this thread. I am wondering what the reaction would be if I called out "Good Morning" to everyone at our local cafe. Lots of started looks I think. Of course a greeting is exchanged between the server and the customer. And very seldom do people greet each other when passing each other on the sidewalk, in the parking lot etc. Once in awhile a pleasant smile but that is about it.

Nytraveler, your post gave me a good chuckle. I don't think you would even have time to go to bed, lol!

bardo1

nytraveler,

Mamy of your points make sense.

However...

What if you go to a cafe you normally don't visit and it's just you and the coffee guy - Isn't a "good morning" in order before saying what you want?

What if you get on an elevator with only one person on it (and neither of you are plugged into an Ipod or reading a book - Wouldn't "good morning" be appropriate?

As PatrickLondon noted, it IS situational, but when the circumstances lend themselves to acknowledge others, it's nice to occasionally break the habit of ignoring strangers and to make the effort.

and to logos999,
Especially since not everyone makes the initial greeting, it is indeed rude to ignore the occasional one who does say "good morning".

Shadow

BTilke has it right:

"And finally, I do find it amusing when people say how much it bugs them the way Americans say "have a nice day" but then gush about the French and their "bonne journee" phrase."

I SO agree!!! Geesh.

Shadow

Nikki

Bardo, I would almost never say hello to someone in an elevator, even if there was only one person, unless I knew that person. It just isn't commonly done where I live. And I don't particularly think I say good morning to the cashier at a coffee shop. I don't normally give any formal greeting before asking for something in any kind of shop. I have learned it is expected in Europe, but it is not expected where I live and it is not considered rude or impolite to omit a formal greeting.

suze

logos~~ I'm not following...

You said "good morning" to who? Your waitress? Another customer? Who exactly are you talking to?

I am American & if someone said Good Morning to me, I would say Good Morning in return.

vjpblovesitaly

I think he walks up to each and every table and says "good morning"