My methods are far from scientific, but I'm convinced my conclusion is sound. I do a lot of walking, and I've noticed, with few exceptions, that oncoming walkers who appear to be over 50 are much more likely to offer a smile or a pleasant hello than younger adults are. In fact, I'll go a step further. The older the walker, the greater the likelihood of a greeting; the younger the adult, the less likely it is that there will be any exchange of pleasantries, or even eye contact.
I don't expect people to acknowledge total strangers on a busy city street, where the pedestrian traffic is too heavy for folks to greet everyone they see. But I think the rules are different on a walking trail, where encounters are less frequent, and there is no reason to ignore the occasional walker headed in the opposite direction.
I don't expect people to acknowledge total strangers on a busy city street, where the pedestrian traffic is too heavy for folks to greet everyone they see. But I think the rules are different on a walking trail, where encounters are less frequent, and there is no reason to ignore the occasional walker headed in the opposite direction.
Will younger adults remain aloof even as they grow older, because of a generational decline in civility that they will carry with them for life? Or will they become friendlier and more outgoing over time, as a natural consequence of aging?
I'm inclined to believe the former - that greeting strangers is passé and we are seeing a permanent slippage into detachment. But I hope I'm wrong. Perhaps aging does bring with it a greater willingness to connect with people we don't know, if only through a momentary nod, a smile or a friendly "good morning."
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