It's helpful to read your audience, though. If people are visibly annoyed or showing body language that says, "go away," then I'm sure you don't persist. Many people have no idea when to back off.
I've rarely approached anyone who was not receptive. It's rather interesting that so many people will chat with a complete stranger who breaks the ice. Maybe I look like the harmless village idiot:
Maybe, but I knew a guy who moved to rural Georgia in 1947 and married a local woman. He was still an outsider in 1989 when I left there. His children were born and raised in the town. Southerners were very friendly toward visitors but not when you move there.
@Cody Fousnaugh - first you may like to read What Everybody is Saying by Joe Navarro. This will give you insight on how to read others. Second, work on how your being friendly. Third, take off the hat, it can be intimidating to some people. Fourth, observe more say less. Five, make sure you don't hog the conversation,especially with only one subject. Lastly, being less friendly is not the answer. Moving along little doggie
Well, Hedi, one thing is for sure, the hat isn't coming off! To a point, "once a cowboy, no matter whether it's rodeo or ranch, always a cowboy." However, during the summer months, most people wouldn't be able to tell that I'm a former rodeo cowboy, because, many times, no hat, no boots and no western shirt/Wrangler jeans. A long-sleeve shirt and jeans can get a person mighty hot in the summer. But, if we go to any rodeo or equestrian event, all of the cowboy attire goes on.
Wife and I talked to a middle-aged couple at local truck stop that are from, and live in, Canada. When we got into a short conversation about "friendliness", they told us "We can't believe how unfriendly many people are in America. Every time we come down here, it's the same old thing, nobody wants to speak to us, unless we speak first. It's terrible!" We agreed with them. They really liked that we talked to them.
As many are aware I live in a smallish country town in fact the named town where I live consists of a post office / combined deli / takeaway food / and a couple of petrol bowsers mainly for fishing boats to top up before going out fishing ….with a fully attached hotel / eating / meals place next to it ……apart from that it’s a boat ramp …lots of seagulls and other sea birds ..of and don’t forget the hoards of visitors . I live in a street of about 20 homes and it’s rare to see anyone some days , you may see someone going out ( we have to drive 4 km to do shopping or even just going out ) it’s very quiet …. I’d say 3/4 of the residents of our street are retirees and most don’t venture out of their homes much at all to chat or even do much gardening ..many have low maintenance types of gardens so next to no chatting gos on around our neighbourhood except for our neighbours whom we socialise with ( don’t live in their pockets) as we like our quiet times as well So times have changed dramatically compared to my young days where many sat out on the front verandah in the morning and evening and had a chat with passers by and more likely a gossip or two about neighbours , but now days it’s almost like people are afraid to say a word incase it’s taken wrong So that’s less friendly ….
Canadians: Those Americans sure are unfriendly. They never speak to us first. Americans: Those Canadians sure are unfriendly. They never speak to us first.
Sort of the same thing goes for the phone: "The phone can ring on either end, so you start calling me once in a while."
I love speaking with my fellow humans, Cody. I will be the first to initiate or will respond if someone else does. I've had many wonderful conversations with "strangers." I live in NYC. I can't explain it's reputation as "unfriendly." It is NOT! It is SO friendly, and now that I'm older I have to beat people off with a stick --LOL--who want to be nice to me and who offer assistance, unasked. NYC is a great place for encountering people who want to talk. Strangers are friends we haven't met yet--Who said that? If I met you and your wife, Cody, we would hit it off just fine!
Back in the 70s I was in NYC on business. The skyline in Washington DC is much lower...I think the buildings can be no taller than 10 stories (at least, that's how it used to be.) When I got to NYC I was in awe of the skyscrapers and walked around looking up at them. The people who walked past me also looked up, trying to figure out what it was I saw! Ain't nuthin' but a country boy from DC.
Move to EU, a gal on another board is saying t hat talking to a Stranger is a no no in her country of Sweden... EU people I found very unfriendly at a time when I was in London.
That's different. The obligation of each participant in a relationship has nothing to do with the way strangers may (or may not) interact.