Sometimes I like to start the day with a little exercise. I take the dog for a walk down by the river. Most of the time, I am trying to stop the dog from eating radioactive garbage (the alpha particles are particularly tasty) or picking fights with larger dogs that he will clearly lose.
I also greet everyone that I meet. Nothing too invasive or over-familiar. I don’t attempt to hug anyone or inquire as to their finances or sexual activities. I look at them, say “morning”, if they have headphones on I give them a wave, and then I continue onward unless they initiate further discussion.
I get a range of responses. Some simply ignore me. A few look actively violated. Some reply back with a similar greeting or a nod. A vanishingly small number will strike up a conversation. One Portuguese man involved me in a discussion on 90s grunge - we both agreed that Smashing Pumpkins were underrated. Older people are more likely to respond than younger people but apart from that there isn’t much in the way of demographic trends.
One thing this activity reminds me is that it’s not necessarily about me. I am repeating the same act again and again to wildly different responses. Some people are wrapped up in their own worlds. Some people think I look dodgy*. Some people respond to be polite. Some people greet others as part of their sense of community. And these are all valid choices.
We cannot control the reactions of others. We can only control our own actions. And then see what happens.
*They’re not wrong. The Jackson Lamb Charm School made me the man I am today.
The Bonjour Game is always fun; when out with friend/s, take turns to say hello to passing strangers, and get points when someone returns the greeting. Your dog's always going to win, mind...