I held the door behind me when I went through the door by the Market East subway this morning.
“Thank you,” said the woman coming though the door.
That made my day.
Politeness is so sadly missing in everyday actions. I don’t need to be thanked for holding a door — I learned to do that in First Grade at Immaculate Conception — but it’s nice. It makes me happy.
I was thinking about this as I walked Snickers the Wonder Dog this morning. I saw three different neighbors who were out picking up their newspapers and putting out trash cans. I said hello to each of them. And thought about how I rarely say a word to anyone once I’m in Philly.
I’m going to try it today. I’m going to say hello to 10 random people in Old City. Just hello.
All thanks to the lady who said “Thank you” in Market East. No, thank you.
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I think things like a smile, hello or thank you are some of the nicest yet simplest things you can offer a stranger — especially in the city. I’m a wallflower in public most of the time, but I *try* to use “thank you” as often as possible when a door is held or some other kindness is offered. Everyone likes to be appreciated.
Howard, I like that a lot. Everyone likes to be appreciated. So true.
Perhaps it’s the city atmosphere – a sort of, “watch your back” mentality – or just the human nature of our increasingly self-absorbed lifestyle, but it seems that we don’t encourage communication. People walk around with headphones, cell phones or their head down texting and it seems as though they are discouraging a greeting rather than expecting it.
Even in what seem like social situations (like the gym) nine out of ten are immersed in their music or something. It’s difficult to catch someone’s eye, let alone their ear, to even wave ‘hello,’ let alone say anything. They have to pull their headphones off and ask us to repeat whatever we just said.
Then, there’s the agonizing social pressure of having to repeat something and hope that it bore repeating. Mostly, it’s just “hi, how’s it going?” and I get the feeling that I have inconvenienced someone by expecting acknowledgment. Suddenly, being sociable is a burden. That isn’t right, is it? Is that where we’re headed?
Who needs noise in their heads all day?
Hi Anthony…I was having that very conversation the other day. A friend was saying she never meets people on the street….because she always wears headphones. I like the idea of being open to new things…and people.
LOL…who does need noise all day? I like the hustle and bustle of town…and hearing how it goes.
Thanks a lot for stopping by and saying hi.
I say hi to strangers all the time. Most respond, some ignore. Sometimes you find yourself in really cool conversations. Other times, really awkward ones.
But it makes life so much better. New connections, even short-lived, are the things that make life worth living!
Chris, I do the same. And now I’m making a particular effort. I talked to a woman this morning in Rittenhouse as we were taking photos of the snow in the trees. Just a nice, one-minute connection. That makes the day go nicely.
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