Non-wavers

thatjeffsmith

What's up with dog-walkers, walkers, runners, bikers not returning a wave or at least a head-nod?

Am I just too Southern for my own good?

I don't stop to shave everyone's hand while waving, but a quick hand gesture/wave is most times not returned.

Am I a weirdo?

suppakana

Nah, I wave too. I guess they're just extremely "focused."

They're probably just butts.

ironanimal

Is stopping to shave people's hands socially acceptable?

trail_rnr

No, you aren't a weirdo. I am not southern :-) and pretty much always say hello to anyone I pass (coming or going) when I am running. I will also aways at least nod while on the bike. I think it's rare if they choose to not say hi or nod/wave back. I'm shy but pretty friendly and communicating with my fellow humans makes me happy and it often makes people smile, so I will keep doing it regardless of whether they say hi back. We all have to share the planet, so I like to add as much positive "energy" (for lack of a better descriptor) as I can.

People might not acknowledge you for many reasons--they could be focused, or shy, or having a bad day, or spacing out, or just not a nice person. Keep doing it, and keep working on the planet's cohesiveness :-)

beachlover317

I have no problem with saying hello in passing, however, I'm always confused when running on a local track. Do you have to acknowledge the person every time you pass them? It's very awkward. After several laps, you either head nod or ignore? I think I'm too southern, too. :noway:

BrianSharpe

Where I live it's customary to acknowledge other runners (a wave, a nod or a good morning/bonjour), there are also walkers & cyclists I see regularly during my runs that will wave or say hello.

Mokey41

Most people here will nod or wave if I'm walking or running (when I'm running it's usually a nod or a wheezed Hi) but when I first started cycling I found that the "real" cyclists wouldn't even acknowledge my existence on my granny bike. As I got better, got the "right" clothes, a new road bike and such, they now give me the nod as they blow by me. I remember coming home after the first time I got a nod so excited. My friend calls them the Spandex Nazis because they all dress the same with this look of grim determination on their faces as they ride in sequence!

usmcmp

For some of us social interactions are stressful. If we look away or ignore you don't take it personally. It just causes stress and anxiety to interact (even a nod or a wave) with complete strangers.

tibby531

I went for a run a while back on my lunch break (it was supposed to be a walk, but my feet got away from me, so my body was forced to keep up). I saw a man dressed in actual work out attire running also, so I excitedly smiled and waved. and all I got was a very confused look in return. I think it was because of the slacks and button down shirt.

people are weird.

sullus

It can go too far though ... we've got one in our neighborhood we call the Early Waver ... like to the point that you don't know if it's you that's being waved to. really awkward.

thatjeffsmith

however, I'm always confused when running on a local track. Do you have to acknowledge the person every time you pass them? It's very awkward.

That could turn into a fun game of chicken, lol.

thatjeffsmith

I also see motorcyclists wave at the risk of injury whenever they pass another fellow rider.

Maybe folks are too busy concentrating on their work-out, but I tend to think folks are just becoming more anti-social, or societal norms have changed and I'm officially old-fashioned.

shells1234

If I make eye contact I usually smile then if they wave or something then I nod or wave... I don't make the first move...

vjohn04

Is stopping to shave people's hands socially acceptable?

LOL

CharityGC

I would probably run away if anyone stopped to shave anything on me but I always wave or nod if I see someone else do it. There have probably been times I didn't notice and looked as if I was ignoring them.

randomtai

What's up with dog-walkers, walkers, runners, bikers not returning a wave or at least a head-nod?

Am I just too Southern for my own good?

Yes

I don't stop to shave everyone's hand while waving, but a quick hand gesture/wave is most times not returned.

Am I a weirdo?

Yes :flowerforyou:

Slrajr

People nearly always say good morning or wave back to me when I run. I think I read them before I say hi, so if they're the type to want to avoid a greeting I make mine extra loud and friendly. I usually get at least a grunt back from even the most reluctant recipients. So, it may be where I live, or you may want to tweak your approach OP:)

thatjeffsmith

If someone offered me a 'shave,' I think I'd just run faster - in the opposite direction!

I'm just talking about a simple nod of the head, or a hand/wrist up...

I'm the same person that gets mad if I don't get a wave after letting someone into traffic, so maybe the problem is mine.

usmcmp

If someone offered me a 'shave,' I think I'd just run faster - in the opposite direction!

I'm just talking about a simple nod of the head, or a hand/wrist up...

I'm the same person that gets mad if I don't get a wave after letting someone into traffic, so maybe the problem is mine.

Maybe you just take it personally. I commented above to say that interacting with strangers (even a wave or a nod) is stressful. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with how my brain functions. Some days it's a chore to simply leave the house. I have mild panic attacks when the phone rings and I don't recognize the number.

seed_of_wonder

i wave at everyone and if we make eye contact, im going to smile.
its so awkward when you wave and just get a blank stare back hah

jaz050465

I now live in rural Scotland where everybody talks to strangers. When I go back to visit family in London, I forget that nobody there does this and everyone looks at me like I'm mad.

jofjltncb6

I'll return a wave from anyone (if I see it in time)...

...but for initiating a wave, I usually only do to others who are doing a similar activity: when running, I wave to runners...when walking, I wave to walkers...and when biking, I wave to bikers.

Codefox

If someone doesn't wave to me when I pass then I chase them down and trip them. They always wave the next time I see them.

PikaKnight

What's up with dog-walkers, walkers, runners, bikers not returning a wave or at least a head-nod?

Am I just too Southern for my own good?

I don't stop to shave everyone's hand while waving, but a quick hand gesture/wave is most times not returned.

Am I a weirdo?

I hope that you don't shave anyone's hands. I think that would definitely be weird.

But if someone doesn't want to nod back or wave, then oh well. It's their choice. You do what you want to do and they''ll do what they want to do.

PikaKnight

Nah, I wave too. I guess they're just extremely "focused."

They're probably just butts.

DavPul

I won't shave just anyone's hands. Just the sexy people.

cmriverside

If someone offered me a 'shave,' I think I'd just run faster - in the opposite direction!

I'm just talking about a simple nod of the head, or a hand/wrist up...

I'm the same person that gets mad if I don't get a wave after letting someone into traffic, so maybe the problem is mine.

DopeItUp

Hairy knuckle crew 4 lyfe, yo.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

For some of us social interactions are stressful. If we look away or ignore you don't take it personally. It just causes stress and anxiety to interact (even a nod or a wave) with complete strangers.

this

olehcat

I usually wave or say hi back if someone greets me while running, but mostly the whole interaction thing stresses me out and I have been known to cross the street to be on the other side, just to avoid interacting with a stranger! Yes, I do have some social anxieties! Another option is that the person might very well be totally in the zone, in their own little world. I've done that before while listening to music while walking/running. Someone from work actually saw me and was trying to wave and get my attention and I did not see it at all.

BeachIron

For some of us social interactions are stressful. If we look away or ignore you don't take it personally. It just causes stress and anxiety to interact (even a nod or a wave) with complete strangers.

this

Honestly taking note of this from two truly wonderful women. I'm gregarious to say the least and I had to tone myself down for many years living outside of my home state. I almost always grumble when my "mornings" aren't acknowledged, but not enough to post about it . . .