Have you ever said hello or greeting to a stranger?
When I was abroad, people were very friendly even say hello or good morning to me. I was very surprised and happy that they were greeting to me. Later I said hello to people in this country, some people were very happy too, but some were shocked showed likely " do I know you?" That was very interesting to see people how they reacted.
I am very openminded when it come to that. Because, in my country there aren't many Japanese people, so whenever I see someone who could be Japanese I come to them, and say hello, ask how they are and such. Afterwards I ask where do you come from, it may be a bit strange and weird because I do it. But so far, many people have been very happy that I approached them, because they wanted to talk to natives more.
In my country , its normal to say hello to every body, even if you do not know him, I like it.
I would say in the UK that you generally don't say hello to everyone you meet walking down the street - especially in the cities, it would be crazy! However, if you're out walking your dog and you see someone else walking their dog, then most people would acknowledge each other if they are on a quiet street. If you go into a small shop then generally teh people working there will say hello to you and then you should reply - it's rude not to. One thing I do like is that motorbike riders will often wave to each other, even if they don't know each other :)
In France, or at least where I was, you don't say hello to people on the street but you do say hello when you get on a bus and go into a store or up to the till. If you don't then you are very rude.
Where I am in Spain, if you say hello to someone on the street then they will most likely stop and talk to you for half an hour, even if they don't know you! So if you have the time and want to improve your Spanish then that's a great way to do it :)
From my experience, foreign people will often appreciate itt if you go up to them and start speaking to them in their language. It makes teh world around them seem a little scary. I was often doing this in France - even if it was just to ask tehm if they wanted their photo taken in front of the Eiffel Tower! It's very rare that you meet tourists who aren't happy to speak to you :)
But I have to say that I have had days like M_rk_s where I have been in a really bad mood and sometimes people try to force me to say hello. But I can give really evil looks so they generally back off. If they don't, I'll just start speaking to them in another language and smile as I walk off insulting them. I don't think you should force anyone to say hello if they don't want to.
In my country, we often say hello, how are you to every one. Especially, the children always do it because their parents want them to be polite
Here you can say hello, sometimes it is appropriate, sometimes not, depending on how you do it and when.
If somebody is rushing by evidently in a rush... they have other things on their mind, so let them go!
But if someone looks like they are strolling for a walk, or walking their dog, in my neighbourhood it is quite polite to say Good Morning, or to nod the head in acknowledgment. : ) They often smile back as if you just made their day!
However I have sadly learned that with some immigrants this is not ok to do if they are of the opposite sex, as they seem to take it as an advance and not just a greeting! Some of them take it as an advance even if you just look in their direction! So I have to use discernment, but I love to smile and say hello to a passerby if it seems likely to me that the individual will not misunderstand it.
: )
