Just say Hi

I go for a walk every day along the banks of the Fraser and the Pitt River, and this is my view as I walk. I have a weekly routine as I walk. On the first day I walk for 6 km, the next I walk 9 km and then I walk 11 km and go back to the 6 km walk. I enjoy the walk and seeing the changes that occur along the river. Depending on the time of day, I see many other people out, walking their dogs, riding bikes, as well as running. Whenever I pass someone, I smile and say "hi", or good morning or good afternoon.

What surprises me is the response I get, some people say "hi",  back, others nod, some look surprised, and some do not acknowledge that I have spoken to them. But about 95% of the people respond and smile back. I recently went for a walk along the Burrard inlet in an adjoining community.  I saw just as many people walking, running and walking their dogs, and I smiled and said "hi". To my surprise, 95% of the people did not respond at all.  Perhaps there is a difference in the community that makes some people so uptight that they do not acknowledge others.

When I  posed the question to my friends, each of them talked about areas in their own communities where when walking people would not respond or acknowledge you if you said "hi". My friends also talked about other areas within a few km, where everyone responded and gave acknowledgement back.

I wonder why people have lost sight of the idea that when another person says "hi" that the other person is not out to do you harm, so take the time and when someone says "hi", say hello or "hi" back. At this time of year, when someone takes the time to say  "hi" just say hello,  "hi" and acknowledge the other person.