Let’s say you enter an elevator and there’s someone there, do you say good morning/evening or anything similar?
Or when you walk pass the reception at your job, when you enter a classroom at university, etc.
It’s a thing in my culture and it’s considered rude if you don’t do it. I was wondering if it’s a common thing in the US?
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“Haya doin’?” if I say anything at all.
I do not.
This is all highly dependent on the scenario.
> Let’s say you enter an elevator and there’s someone there
If we make eye contact, maybe a smile or quick “Good morning”
> Or when you walk pass the reception at your job
Yes, that person is my coworker and the last few receptionists I’ve worked with were my friends. Unless they’re on the phone, I’m always going to say good morning or whatever.
> when you enter a classroom at university, etc.
>
Probably not “when entering”, I’m not announcing myself to the room. I would say hello to the person I sit down next to, making pleasantries with classmates is usually a good idea, you will end up needed each other over the course.
> It’s a thing in my culture and it’s considered rude if you don’t do it. I was wondering if it’s a common thing in the US?
I thought the trope was that we talked to strangers *too often*? Where are you from?
In my limited experience in San Diego and Las Vegas, it definitely depends on how many people there are. Crowded huge elevator where there are a few different groups of people and there’s always someone coming in and out? No, you don’t acknowledge them. Somewhere not crowded at all where you go in and there’s only one other couple there? Yes, just a simple “hello”, “good evening”, or a slight smile. Pretty much the same as here.
> Let’s say you enter an elevator and there’s someone there, do you say good morning/evening or anything similar?
Assuming I do not know the person, I would probably say “Good Morning” or “Hey, how’s it going?” or something similar and leave it at that. If they reply, or if a conversation develops as a result, that’s fine, but I wouldn’t push it.
Someone I know? I would absolutely talk to that person.
> Or when you walk pass the reception at your job, when you enter a classroom at university, etc.
These would be people I know and I would absolutely say “hello” or some other greeting.
Mostly, only if I’m unfortunate enough to make eye contact. If I don’t know you and you don’t know me and we have no other reason to interact I see no reason to bother you.
Very situational. If I get into an elevator at work with people I don’t know, there’s no expectation that we acknowledge each other. If I get into an elevator in my apartment building, it would be a little weird to not at least give a nod or something.
I don’t.
Public place etiquette. Elevator scenarios.
Generally: a good morning/afternoon is always acceptable.
Read the room. If a person is waiting for the elevator as you approach, greet them and ask ‘if you mind if I hop on with you?’. Engaging a favor always helps break ice and ease concerns. Please be prepared for a no, and catch the next one.
If the buttons are on your side walking on, ask ‘what floor?’ And punch theirs first. The elevator is going to go in order anyway, but again, in short, burst interactions, it’s key to set tone and quality.
If a person is immersed in their phone and do not reciprocate, that’s fine and leave it at that. If not, avoid an awkward silence with a standard ‘how is today going for you’ or weather comment. You will get a short answer, and keep yours the same. You’re not there for your life story, just say ‘going well’ or ‘rough, but soon over’.
Also be mindful of positioning. There’s limited room and you need to make an effort to respect personal space. If your a big guy like me, I make a point of staying to the front, facing slightly away.
In any considered space, announce yourself and let the persons therein make a decision to invite you further in. Don’t be loud, in case they are on a conference call. If you get waved off, then bugger off.
It depends where you are in the US to some extent. Friendly conversations with random people are common in the Midwest, but I think if you did that in the Northeast people would think you were weird.
yeah most of the time. i always give a little nod and will often will say something like “how’s it goin?” or “mornin’”.
Entering an elevator in the northeast, I probably wouldn’t greet anyone unless there’s someone I know.
The only reception at my job that I recall was at a very large facility, where it was wave a badge and keep going.
Entering a classroom – only to the people I know or would like to know.
Elevator, no, unless you know them. Busses the same, except the driver. Transit is a weird exception.
Everywhere else, it’s polite to greet people but not particularly impolite to not do so, as long as you’re not ignoring them.
It’s situational.
I always greet a person if I know them or at least are acquainted with them. I generally do if I’m in a confined space with one or a small number of people who aren’t doing something. I wouldn’t if I entered a room with a lot of people who I didn’t know.
i usually nod or say hello
I greet the bus driver but not the other passengers (unless it’s someone I know).
I greet the security guards in the lobby of my office building as I pass through, since they work there and I see them all the time, but not any random other people who might be there.
I don’t usually say anything to strangers in the elevator unless they say something to me first.
When I first get to my desk in the morning, I say good morning to the people I sit near, but I don’t usually say anything to the other people I pass by on the way. It’s a big office and would be disruptive to people’s work if everyone greeted everyone all the time.
If I walk into a small shop or other small business with few people, I will greet the clerk or owner or whoever is working there, but leave any other customers alone.
I do. Then again, I’m in the South.
Hi, how ya doin?
I don’t, I hate small talk.
yea I do. Its not necessarily considered rude to not greet people as you go about your business though.
I fart loudly to announce my arrival and also to establish dominance.
I never thought this was strange until work took me to Europe. You would’ve thought I killed someone’s dog.
Most of the time.
I’ll move my mouth a a fraction of an inch. Enough.
It’s common in my region (the southeast / Deep South). I’m fully aware of the various attitudes towards small talk around the country, but this time around I’m only commenting on where I live.
It’s prominent enough here that when my friend and I were vacationing in Las Vegas, which is ~ 2,000 miles / 3,200km away, people actively identified us as being from the south by these sorts of actions. “Here, let me get that door for you…” “Oh…uh…thanks…Say, where are you from?” “Georgia.” “I knew it!” It was like that on and off for the whole trip.