There\u2019s lots of things I don\u2019t understand. One thing I\u2019ve never understood was why some people find it difficult, or refuse, to say \u201chi.\u201d I grew up in Maysville, Oklahoma \u2014 a small town where everyone knew each other and everyone spoke to each other. As soon as I moved away from Maysville, I noticed that very often people would just stare at me when I greeted them \u2014 or \u2014 just ignore me completely. I didn\u2019t get it then, and I don\u2019t get it now. Seems to me that\u2019s just common courtesy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I never thought about it until more recently, but we really don\u2019t have much eye contact with strangers \u2014 or some people that aren\u2019t even strangers.\u00a0
How come? Are they afraid of us, or are we afraid of them? Why would you not look at someone and exchange greetings?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Obviously, I don\u2019t know the answer to those questions. I used to go to work in the morning, get in the elevator, and if there was someone already in the elevator, I\u2019d say, \u201cgood morning,\u201d or \u201chow ya doing\u201d or something like that. A very high percentage of the time, they\u2019d grumble, or say nothing and would invariably look at the floor or turn away from me.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I will readily admit I have my own set of problems right now and probably shouldn\u2019t be analyzing other people, but I\u2019d be willing to bet that people\u2019s attitude toward strangers is somehow related to their overall level of happiness. I can\u2019t believe that someone that keeps their head down, frowns, or looks away from people would fall into the \u201cjoyful person\u201d category. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Again, I don\u2019t want to sound like I\u2019m giving advice, but whether someone is an introvert or extrovert, it doesn\u2019t take much energy to look at someone and even say hello. That\u2019s just being kind and respectful to others. I realize everyone has troubles, concerns, likes, dislikes, fears, etc. but making eye contact and speaking takes so little effort \u2014 and I\u2019d bet that one little act would make most people feel better.\u00a0
Someone once said (or at least should have) that eye contact is the best way of communication. Who knows \u2014 it might even be the best way to happiness\u2026..
\u2014 30 \u2014<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
There\u2019s lots of things I don\u2019t understand. One thing I\u2019ve never understood was why some people find it difficult, or refuse, to say \u201chi.\u201d I grew up in Maysville, Oklahoma \u2014 a small town where everyone knew each other and … Continue reading