Why do we say "Good morning"

whistles

To random strangers if it's morning, but would walk past them without speaking at any other time.

I am just starting to go out when it's still morning and I am not really awake or ready for any good morning I might get.

So random question of the day. Why?

OverlyAnxious

Around here people still say hello or good afternoon in the afternoon.

Most people like social interaction and want to connect with others. This is the major flaw in being told that we should 'treat others as we want to be treated'. I don't want to have to deal with a social situation while out walking. Other people go out to get some social contact. One of us is always going to have a negative experience in that situation.

sprinkly

I like when people are willing to nod, say hello or whatever , it's uplifting especially when it's done with a smile , .can't beat that, just my humble opinion.

Bluebell21

I would always say good morning with a smile to someone if they look my way. You might be the only person they see that day.

teuchterlass

I make a point of saying with a smile, good morning, good afternoon, fine day or something as I pass people. I don't expect an answer, often it makes a person realise there are pleasant folk out there. Hello can be an icebreaker with no other intentions, it's usually up to you, just a politeness

JennieWren

Where I live we say good morning/afternoon or evening, if it’s light. I’ve noticed people don’t do it when it’s dusk or beyond, which is sensible. When I do it I’m not expecting a response as it’s usually in passing. But a smile with eye contact gives acknowledgement. Obviously if they want to chat further and I have the time that’s fine too. Horses for courses, but nice to be seen.

Banarama123

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/127776/why-do-we-say-good-morning

some people are polite. Don’t disrespect others because they say good morning. It’s up to you if you don’t want to

JennieWren

with so many people posting that they are lonely, going out for a walk in a friendly area might give a bit of a boost? I’ve found dog walkers very friendly and as they often go out at the same time of day you get to see the same people over and over.

There were 3 generations of my family and we were discussing a comment an elderly person had made about no one talking to her in the doctors waiting room. My parents in their 70’s and 80’s agreed, but my daughter (who is autistic) asked why you’d want or indeed expect people to talk to you there. I think we are becoming more isolated as a society as I remember from my childhood most people having a quiet natter in the waiting room.

Sandy_123

I speak to anyone me and always say morning etc.

Albus_Scope

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/964294#Comment_964294

I don't think there was any disrespect in asking a simple question. It's good to be inquisitive. 😊

Banarama123

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/964311#Comment_964311

not everyone is in a mood

Lindsey54

I like going out around the area that I live. I cannot walk very far without making a stop to rest, I can go on without the stops then I become immobile. When I stop I will chat to anyone as they pass me by. I have met lot of nice people this way. Remember a small quotation that I learned a few years ago. "Strangers are just friends that you have not met yet." Be positive invite people into your circle, smile and say, "We don't get many strangers around where I live."

You do not need to say much, Hello, Hi, morning, afternoon, greetings, nice day, be friendly smile when you meet someone. A way to break the ice when first meeting someone is to compliment them. You may see a person with a dog walking toward you, say Hi to both dog and the dogs walker (not all dog walk ers are owners). Always try to be positive, smile and be cheerful. Pay compliments about the dog, your dog is well behaved, looks nice, I have not seen one like that for a long time.

Being nice to people, being friendly costs little more than the time it takes to acknowledge them. Some of the people you see when you are out are lonely, have few or no friends, no one to say good morning to at home. So by not giving them a greeting of good that morning/afternoon, has been a lost opportunity for you to give out a little happiness to a fellow human being. A Hello or Good Morning maybe insignificant to you, but to the isolated folk in our society it can mean a lot.

Some elderly, lonely or disabled people see no one, have no one ,their circumstances isolate them. The ones with Free Bus Passes, may make several journeys to and fro the shops to save on heating, but often they get on the bus for company to be with people, disguise the emptiness they feel inside. On days like we have today, cold, snow covered lands, roads and pathways, temperatures showing a minus before the number, remember those in our community who have no one. Often the first and last person they have contact with is the Bus Driver or Taxi Driver that takes too and from the shops.

I will say Hi or whatever to everyone that I pass by, you ask why we say do this. I cannot speak for everyone, only me. I do it to fill the spaces in someone else's emptiness, to make them feel part of the community, no longer without a friend to greet them.

JessieJ

Said with a smile, it's a friendly & polite way to go about, whatever time of day.

Albus_Scope

If I make it out of the house, even if I'm terrified, I'll always try and smile as I go past people. Even tiny gestures like that can really brighten someone's day. 😊

whistles

It's something new for me as I am not usually out before midday.

Change of circumstances means that currently I am.