What ever happened to "Good Evening"? rant

Dionysus · #1 12-09-2004, 08:32 PM

I don't know why this bothered me....As I was walking into a grocery store yesterday, a guy from the Salvation Army collecting donations said something like "Good Evening!". There were about six people entering the store at the same time as me...only two of us replied "Good Evening!" back. The rest pretended like they didn't even see him. Now I can see why some people don't want to START a conversation or greeting with a stranger. It can be scary. But if someone speaks first I think it is totally rude not to reply. Gosh why must some people have a stick so far up their ass that they can't acknowledge someone for a few seconds?

Pink_Bug · #2 12-09-2004, 08:47 PM

This is one of my pet peeves as well!
But the thing I hate more than this is when you go through a drive through at a fast food restaurant and the person just hands you your order without saying a word. I always try to make a point to be as polite as I can and always say thank you when they hand me my food and it drives me mad when they don't respond with "you're welcome" or anything else. Sorry to change the subject but your topic just reminded me of that!

tinydancer · #3 12-09-2004, 08:49 PM

Pink_Bug, I'm right there with you. I'm sure working at Mickey D's is not an exciting job, but at least the workers could try to be pleasant.

navane · #4 12-09-2004, 10:17 PM

To be fair, I don't think you're considering the fact that the person who was doing the greeting (Salvation Army worker) was someone who was collecting money. Sometimes people don't feel like donating, are broke, or have already put money into another kettle. They don't want to respond because they know they will be asked to chip in some change and they don't want to feel obligated. I mean, I would at least say hello in return as I walked past, but many people will stay silent out of feelings of embarassment or guilt for not putting any money in the kettle.

.....Kelly

Kevlar281 · #5 12-09-2004, 10:26 PM

I say Good Evening. Well actually it's just evenin, the g always gets dropped.

bluefish81 · #6 12-09-2004, 10:48 PM

In a situation like this where someone else has greeted me, I'd respond, even if I didn't give them money. I think it's just a part of being decent. That or it's my small-town Iowa raising coming out. This is just my opinion, but I think I'd think less of the people that didn't acknowledge me than the ones who at least acted like I existed.