What's the point of a random person telling another random person "hello"?

Question

You know like when you're walking down the street or something and as you walk past this random person, they just say, "Hello" or "How are you doing?"
Are they just being friendly or is there some other reason behind it?

EmbraceThePain · Accepted Answer

Well, there’s probably a reason behind everything we do or say, but a lot of it is not something significant. I have frequently said “hi” or “hello” to people that I’ve seen for a few seconds and will almost certainly never see again in my life. I think I do this out of habit more than anything else. I think it’s automatic in me to just be courteous and greet people despite not knowing them. Perhaps it’s a natural human thing to demonstrate your friendliness towards someone so that it’s communicated that you don’t want to harm them and they don’t want to harm you. Perhaps it’s deeply primal/evolutionary.

dolemite89 · Accepted Answer

I agree i don’t like fake chit chat with people even. It’s annoying that people say how’s it going as just a greeting to strangers. Unless i know them enough to say how it’s actually going just say hello

Ez-Bri-Z · Accepted Answer

I'm in the south in it is practically down right expected to be friendly like that. It is mostly just being social without feeling the need to be committed to engaging in small talk. A simple hello and a nod or wave is usually enough.

It is like the verbal representation of opening/holding the door for someone.

Miah02 · Accepted Answer

We are taught it's something that could brighten someone's day. Maybe they don't have a lot of people notice them or they had a rough day. That small interaction could help them feel a little better.

jennifer_bloom · Answer

A lot of people like to help others but they don’t have the time or money or skills to make a difference so saying hi to people is how they contribute to the world

OlderAndWiser · Answer

Here in the South, it is rather normal behavior.

humanearth · Answer

Look in my area, when we pass each other driving or in the farm feilds. We all wave to each other, tip our hats or take off the hats and wave back with the hat to make sure they see us wave back.

It all goes back to the horse and buggy days. People would wave to make sure they were okay. You didn't wave back. They would stop to make sure everything was okay and you were fine.

Here everyone says hello, tip their hat, and other nice things.

Here men still open the doors for the ladies, pull out a ladies chair, walk on the curbside when walking with a lady.

When men go in doors they take off their hats.

My area is still untouched by todays crazy city people. We are small town and family farmers

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

On my part, I'm just being friendly, See growing up me and my sister
went through having an abusive father and my late mother sort of took
on his ways, there was always drama in my life plus I had to deal with
bullies in school, in 7th grade-8th grade, stealing my books and the
school told me if I didn't find them that I would have to pay for the books
this is why to this day I treat all people very kind and some people would
think wow why does he seem so kind well it sticks with you when you
have to deal with emotional pain from verbal abusive parents I was
close to my mother, she was nicer than my father, he lives in high
rise remarried to a woman who he had affair with on my mother and
she is age 65 and he's age 80

AndrewMG · Answer

Because they might be in the Euro final tomorrow and have no idea how to react to the fact?
I'm sorry my answers are going to be even worse than ever for the next 24 hours... blame alcohol, blame the Euro final, blame not being able to cope with disappointment lol... all of those points are relevant... I'm usually a nice guy lol

ohshee · Answer

Cuz you're walking down the street and you see somebody approaching you first of all before you actually see that them clearly you can feel their energy and the closer you get the deeper the feeling can get and if your energy is compatible with their energy the moment you get up to each other I mean it's just intense there are many as I'm walking towards somebody I can see them I can feel them and I just smile and kind of say hi as I walked by. But there are moments as I walked by that that feeling is so intense you actually say hi and you want to chat with him I mean it's the same thing on here when you're answering questions every time I answer a question from you I feel you and each time I feel you deeper and deeper and the feeling gets more and more intense one of these days I will have balls enough to say Hi how are you and blank blank blank blank blank blank LOL

TommyMountainFigure · Answer

A smile and a hello to random people. Blokes, women, old grannies. I'm not fussed and I have no ulterior motive to it either.

Merely being friendly. Sometimes you get a smile or hello back, other times you get an evil stare, or they look right through you...

That's just who i am. I like being me and I'm not going to change.

TadCurious · Answer

Isabel I voted that some people are just that friendly. I've never been to New York City but I've heard of Southerners who've visited there and said "How y'all doin'?" and totally freaking out the native New Yorkers. So to some extent it's a regional/cultural thing. But I guess there could be other explanations for why people do it.

Lliam · Answer

People often do that when they recognize someone, even if they don't know the person. It's just being polite and friendly.
People often say that to a stranger if they happen to make eye contact. A smile and a friendly acknowledgement is better than ignoring people. Acknowledging people's existence can cheer them up.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

There have been occasions when I have said "hello" to a random person when passing them if I'm in a really good mood.
But this usually never happens, because 1) I'm an introvert, 2) I'm antisocial, 3) I have anxiety, 4) I have depression, and 5) I'm insecure.

As far the "point," there's actually no point. It's just being polite and friendly and trying to foster a sense of community.

MCheetah · Answer

To both acknowledge their existence, and to make the speaker feel good. I'm not much of a talker unless I know someone (I hate small talk at my job), but I get why other people like it. Makes them feel good, especially if they're extroverts and just like talking to people. I voted option C.

Anpu23 · Answer

I missed the "I am that person." I don't know about you, but this attitude of "ignore everyone" just tears down our society. Saying 'hello' stepping out of people's way, being polite it builds stronger communities. You never know if someone is having a bad day, and if you can just make it a little better... it's really no effort... say hi, smile tip your hat and move on. Simple enough.

naraku · Answer

I wonder this myself.

Clearly I have had time's when someone has just said hi as we pass each other and it's a friendly gesture.
Other time's, I can't work out of it's friendly or something else to it especially when I am waiting for my train. Nothing recently, so I guess if it was something more then I missed it.

Ghostykill3r · Answer

There's really no telling, he may have just been having a good day and wanted to say hi to people, you may have been looking extra good that day, it may have been a combination or neither one. There are a lot of people who say hi just to be friendly, usually you find it in smaller towns but not always. There are also those who say it to strike up a conversation because they think the other person is attractive and they're trying to shoot their shot.

Smoke-n-Growls · Answer

It might be because I'm Canadian, but greeting others is quite common. It's become less common as more people become unfriendly, but it's still 7-8/10 (depending on the weather).

Impromptu friendly conversations are also common.

Lionman95 · Answer

I don´t why other people do it by I do it when I´m in good mood to give other people the feeling they are recognized and seen. I´m sometimes too much in a rush to do it but I try to do it everytime I see someone else.

SheerKiss3 · Answer

We are too used to not be polite and nice with strangers. That when we meet someone so nice and friendly we are like..: What is wrong with that person?

45Fstraight · Answer

I am that person (usually). I'll wave to you if you're walking when I drive by too. Yes, people are that friendly! I'm not always the first to smile and say hi.

hughmathews · Answer

i do it all the time, its just my way of being friendly to a stranger! if theyre trying to shoot their shot, chances are theyre catcalling you like an asshole

loves2learn · Answer

I am a friendly, smiley, bubbly person. I do this a lot. Would it rub you the wrong way?

Smashingdoozy · Answer

Just being polite... I don't know I smile and say hi to people, never know it could make that person's day.

morecow · Answer

It's just to be kind. You never know how that person's day is going, sometimes a little kindness from a stranger is nice

Surely · Answer

Before people walked around looking at their phones all of the time. People used to make eye contact with other people and say hello or just flash a friendly smile. Friendlier times for sure!

LonelyDeer · Answer

It can be any of the above answers. For some, it's just a formality. For others, a formality as a means to an end. There's no reason that applies to all scenarios

Leavesbound · Answer

It's called being polite and civil. That is what one does in civilization. I am perplexed that this is even a question. Do they not teach etiquette in your country?

RoyalGuy_PRO · Answer

acknowledging their existence and that they stood out to them in an otherwise drab environment

exitseven · Answer

Just being friendly. Where i go for vacation everyone says hello to everyone. I find it a little annoying at times.

ChrisMaster69 · Answer

Just being friendly. walking in town, I likely say good morning, hello etc easy 100 times

BareNecessary · Answer

Different for each person. Sometimes if I find someone somewhat attractive and more of an approachable mood I'll say something like that. Some hit on you like that which is so lame but yeah might have to deal with your vibe you have going

Shamalien · Answer

You see, once upon a time us humans used to actually acknowledge each others existence. It was a magical time

mrkdvsn · Answer

In these troubling times, we need a lot MORE of these random greetings.

ArrowheadSW · Answer

Probably just being friendly. I personally don't do that, but some people do.

Realvisionary · Answer

Sometimes I'm just in the mood to be friendly but usually it's just something people say to each other as they walk but just to make it feel less awkward lol

TessCasie · Answer

I used to be like that but ever since pandemic can’t do it anymore.

Anonymous · Answer

He probably remembered you and enjoyed having you as a frequent customer.

Phoenix98 · Answer

Just being friendly and polite, you know common courtesy.

monstertruckgamer393 · Answer

''a friendly gesture of peace and happines'' ~probably me

Juxtapose · Answer

It's just to be friendly, it's a very American thing to do and we are known throughout the world for doing that.

kellytheman · Answer

I like to believe there is still nice people out there and just being friendly. I might say hi or what's up pasding by if we make contact.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

It's called, being civil or, trying to make friends! What do YOU think of someone saying hello and the other person ignoring the fuck out of them? How hard can it be to respond, likewise?

SuhRaw · Answer

They could be being friendly or they may be attracted to you and could have been trying to break the ice. My motto is" Do I Stare or Speak" As attractive as you are I would speak to you too. Sometimes it's a sign of interest.

Wise4myage · Answer

A. Some people are just that friendly, or perhaps they are having a really good day.

Anonymous · Answer

I say it to people when I am in a good mood. It doesn't usually mean that I am attracted to them but it could

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

Most times I'm just being friendly but there are times I start conversations that way

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

It's just common courtesy of greeting someone. It's our culture here in the U. S. to do that.

najekim · Answer

I acknowledge everyone who makes eye contact with me with a greetings of some sort.

ALewis30 · Answer

Some people are caring and want to spread kindness.

Still-alive · Answer

Yeah just a courteous thing really

Nik1hil · Answer

Point is to exhale Air in mouth and Nose of other person and spread COVID!

Scottty2hottty · Answer

I don't know but I bet it would stop if they tried talking your head off.

WowwGirl · Answer

Friendly where I live everyone does that

ChefPapiChulo · Answer

lmao you can't be serious

spartan55 · Answer

Another reason? Smh... no

stuntbrain · Answer

Some people are friendly/psychotic

Iron_Man · Answer

It’s a courtesy call and maybe even to meet

Marhaban-1 · Answer

It's a good way to make friends

Dinosaursandanime65 · Answer

I do think it’s weird. Right now it seems annoying

Anonymous · Answer

Because we’re not robots…

Static_In_The_Attic · Answer

Hello.

JesseJayNeak · Answer

It's called politeness

What's the point of a random person telling another random person "hello"?

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