I’m Aussie and posted this in AskanAustralian, posting here cos I’m curious how it compares over there.
As in going for a leisurely walk in the suburb where you’re the only two people passing (or in a small group etc). Not in a busy area, around shops etc. I feel it’s getting rarer and rarer. I’m 37 and I try to do it most of the time, but I notice most people do not. Maybe they don’t expect younger people to as well? I’m from middle suburban Perth where it was common but now live in innerish Melbourne (Moonee Ponds), so that may play a role. When I lived in Footscray hardly anyone did. I don’t expect or mind if they dont, Im not always in the mood to myself. If theyre wearing headphones, jogging etc, dont want to engage I dont, but in general I just like to acknowledge them with a hi, g’day, morning whatever. Even just a look or a nod.
How often do others say gday/hello to you where you live and how often do you do it?
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If I’m walking the pier on a Saturday afternoon, there are dozens of people out there, I wouldn’t greet anyone. If I’m on a local trail and come upon another hiker, I’ll say hello or acknowledge the weather or something. It just depends.
Around the neighborhood folks usually wave on foot or passing a pedestrian in a car, etc… some stop to chat.
On a busier street not so much.
My area its nornal to smile at eqch other, or to say hi. Sometimes you can tell if they dont want to be bothered though so you just smile and leave them be. But i live in a wmall town in middle of nowhere upstate ny, might differ elsewhere
Here in East Tennessee you wave, nod, or say hello/thank you to pretty much anyone you interact with.
I walk every day in my neighborhood or on the trail near my house. I wear headphones, but I usually go for some kinda quick smile/nod/wave combo, and people usually do it back.
sometimes when you’re out further on the trail, people will talk more. one time on a walk I pointed out an eagle that was perched unusually low on a tree to a little family with kids & they thought it was so cool. people are always nice.
Pacific NW here. In the neighborhoods, it’s really common. What bugs me is that since the pandemic, people walking their dogs tend to avoid each other. People still greet each other, but the dogs miss out. I get that there are a lot of pandemic pets out there that may not be well socialized, but c’mon! Dogs need to say hello too. I’ve even had a few people looking at me reproachfully for not getting out of their way.
It’s not really genuine but it happens around here. It’s disappearing due to smartphones and everyone not paying attention I’m sure in NYC or something it wouldn’t be a thing. I just give a friendly nod
I do the [“white people smile”](https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/awkward-white-people-smile) a lot, but I don’t say hi to people super often.
I do it basically every time. A simple “hello!” Or “how are ya”
Howyadoin goes a long way
In my immediate area they are either my neighbors or someone from close by.
I always give a “hi.”
Right now we have a shit ton of hunters so we aren’t walking the normal trails and there’s some cars parked nearby but still always “hi” and that sometimes gets into conversation.
I live in an apartment complex, and many of my neighbors greet each other every day. It’s a pretty big complex, though, and it’s hard for me to get around most of it. So, I only really know and greet neighbors in the general vicinity of my apartment.
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Without fail, I talk with one of our upstairs neighbors every day. Other neighbors, I probably talk to at least once a week.
I’m in the suburbs. It’s very common to give a head nod, wave or a greeting like good morning, afternoon, etc. maybe a few sentences conversation (nice weather, cute dog, etc).
Walking around my building or my neighborhood most people will at least nod and give a little smile. Walking through downtown though…we all got shot to do. I rarely get a nod or hello from a random.
Very often
It differs regionally. In the South most people you see.
Very common and pleasant where I’m from in San Diego, very very uncommon and unpleasant where I live in NH now, unfortunately.
Depending on where you are in Honolulu you might get punched in the face for making eye contact with a stranger. Knowing this I just walk on by people without acknowledging them.
All the time.
I walk over four kilometers a day. My route takes me through neighborhoods as well as the neighborhood business district.
I say hello or good morning to many as we pass. They respond in kind.
I greet pretty much everyone I meet in some way, usually verbally. About half respond likewise, maybe a quarter respond with a smile or nod or the like, and the last quarter is apparently having a bad day. Of course, if it’s crowded, it’s generally just people who make eye contact.
It is common to smile, nod, say hi to people you pass by in my area (small town Kansas). Not everyone does it but most people will acknowledge and greet others.
I say a quick “good morning” or “how are you” when passing neighbors, but not most strangers.
It’s quite normal where I’m from, depending how crowded the street or trail is.
I avoid other people perceiving me at all costs while walking my dog.
I’ll say hi to anyone if I encounter them on the sidewalk while I’m walking my dog. My daughter takes a school bus to school, so I talk to the other parents at our bus stop on the corner every morning. When I’m in the office at work, I’ll say hi whenever I pass someone in the hallway or encounter them in the kitchen.
I have never once said “gday” to someone.
In the suburbs going for a walk or on a known walking trail? A smile and a wave. Sometimes folks will stop and talk especially if it’s not the first time we have seen each other.
Totally depends. If I’m taking a walk around my block, I’ll probably only pass a person or two, and I normally give them the head nod and a smile since I’m usually wearing earbuds/listening to a podcast. If I’m walking through downtown, it’s a lot more crowded, so I don’t greet/acknowledge anyone.
My wife and I walk or ride our bikes around our neighborhood almost everyday and most people will acknowledge us in some way. I’ve noticed if there’s an elderly woman who is walking a dog they might not. Same with teenagers.
If we go for a walk on the beach it’s hit or miss. Some will wave and some won’t.
What’s interesting, in our old neighborhood almost nobody would even acknowledge us or anyone. Most people would just pull into their garages and disappear. It was totally strange to me at the time.
All the time, at least out in the neighborhoods. It’s different in commercial and touristy areas.
This is a very normal thing where I live. Obviously not going to greet everyone if I’m walking on a busy street, but a street with fewer people, of course! And if I run into a friend or neighbor I’ll always greet them regardless.
In Oklahoma, where I’m from, this is practically an everyday occurrence. In Washington, where I live now, you’ll get sideways glances from most people for doing that.