Wow!

Nice post.

I was thinking the same thing.
Maybe this guy IS the guy on #4, Destin, Bonifay.
:ohdear:

I guess I’m used to the fact that no one owes you anything. If they give something like being friendly, it’s a bonus. Friendliness is more about giving and less about receiving.

When driving my cart I wave to everyone. Those that ignore me I honk my horn and wave again and always get a 100% wave back with a smile.

Impressive group. Always easiest for the woman to make the 1st move. Men often question themselves and wonder if they can impress some visually spectacular woman. That IS why bars and alcohol were invented.

Walking I see most people saying hello in retirement communities. On the west coast there are certain recent Asian cultures where it is not acceptable to greet strangers. So many people get upset when they wave and get no response here. In the villages I notice 99 percent smile and wave.

Most Are Friendly!!
 

Barb & I like people and always smile & wave in our cart & pleasantly greet people in the squares & restaurants.
I think a lot of people are kind of shy & then you have the naturally grouchy people who always walk around like they hate everybody.
Barb & I just view those as inherently unhappy people. It’s kind of sad because they miss out on the best part of The Villages. We have met so many great people here. That’s one of the best parts of The Villages!

How friendly are you to strangers
 

Where possible I always say "hello" and don't worry if they reply. Good statement, don't let them live in your head if they don't acknowledge. Life is too short.

I do a lot of walking on "multi-use" (?) paths and make it a point to smile and wave at everyone I meet. Nearly everyone responds in kind. I also make it a point to step off the pavement and walk on the grass when a cart or a bicycle is coming my way. Seems to be appreciated.

Regarding what our parents taught regarding talking to strangers.
I could never understand why I could not take sweets from 'strange men.'
Most of my family were totaly wierd and strange compared to 'strange men.' and they didn't even offer sweets.
For years I thought "because" was some sort of disease!
And if I was spotted speaking to a neighbor, the first thing I was asked was, "What did you say? What did you tell them?"
Our house was like the Spanish Inquisition, only tougher.
We had more secrets than MI5, but as no one told me what they were, how the b****y heck was I supposed to tell them to others.
80 odd years later, I still don't know what the £$%*&! secrets were! :shrug:

Ya Never Know
 

As a retired high school teacher, I've had years of mandatory "suicide training" that included a true story of a suicidal teen who dropped his books while walking home (where he planned to end it all), and was surprised when a friendly classmate smiled and helped him pick up the books. He aborted the planned suicide. I believe that we never know when our expression of kindness & caring - whether a smile, a compliment, helping with coins or a door held open - may have made a difference in someone's life for a moment, a day or even longer.
When in The Villages, I've experienced a hefty dose of friendliness through smiles, waves & friendly conversations with strangers who often quickly become friends. Genuine smiles always lift my spirits! Wave and smile away!! But as others have stated, if not returned, don't assume it's because someone is hateful and rude - I'm sure we all miss opportunities! Just continue enjoying your day - who knows, you may have made a difference to someone along the way! :)

We call people that don’t waive back or say hi, the unfriendlies.

Many people who spent years in corporate america, especially those who spent a vertain amount of time in HQ and Regional HQ offices, were "trained" by example to develop the "hallway stare". That is, en route from one meeting to another, they could pass a gaggle of people along a hallway and NEVER make eye contact with any of them. They then digressed to passing a single person in that hallway and looked straight through them, but never at them. A well meaning Hi, How's it going, were never returned.

It is incredibly refreshing to quickly develop greeters / wavers wrist problem by waving to nearly everyone you pass by in the Villages. I would say the people that still practice the hallway stare are less than 5% here.

:1rotfl: :1rotfl: :1rotfl: :1rotfl: That's a pretty aggressive way to go about being nice!!! :1rotfl::1rotfl: