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The Power of Saying “Hello”
I like to say hello to strangers. I know that might sound weird (or dangerous), but I’m amused by it. Of course, I practice my best judgment (I’m not greeting people in dark alleyways or anything like that) and I do so in settings where I see people in passing — at work, in coffee shops, on the street, in the elevator. It’s my philosophy that if I make eye contact with someone in close enough proximity, I might as well say “hi”. Why? Well here are a few reasons:
Be a human
We live in an age where it’s hard not to find everyone’s face buried in their phone. Get in an elevator and see what activity people default to — pulling out their phone to browse, scroll and click just long enough to avoid eye contact or conversation. Why is this? I like to get on with a “Good morning” (if the mood is right), look up at the electronic ads or face forward (instead of looking down at my phone), and then leave with a “Have a nice day”. It doesn’t really take much effort, and sometimes it sparks a light and pleasant conversation. Human interaction — it’s just a nice thing to engage in now and again. The elevator is a good way to do that without long-term commitment. Say “Hi” to the janitor, the mail lady or someone who you might otherwise overlook. We’re all human and deserve acknowledgment.
