One of the interesting things I have observed on my morning walks to Mooloolaba is the number of people who just will not express a friendly greeting as we pass each other.
Most of the over 50’s look up – and with a friendly nod of their grey hair – give a friendly hello or good morning.
The people who will not even acknowledge your existence are the under thirty females out for their morning jog. With a fixed glassy eyed look they stare straight ahead not daring to even acknowledge your presence. Perhaps they have been warned about old men amblng along footpaths or maybe their parents warned them they could catch something nasty if they get too close to strangers. Whatever the reason they refuse to even look up – and this is after repeated good mornngs on following days.
The other group who also will not acknowledge your existence are also the younger male joggers decked out in their Lycra jogging tights with what looks like their lunch stuffed down the front of their tights. Theirs is not just a denial that you exist but almost a protest that someone moving as slow as I – should dare to occupy their hallowed paths.
I have decided to increase the volume level as the days go by just in case it is the music they have blaring into their ears via their Ipod.
The other tactic I am employing is to give them no warning but to wait until they are right next to me and with arms waving greet them loudly as though they are still 50 metres away.
I must admit it has proven to be effective in gaining a response – but sadly not all of the responses can be categorized as friendly salutations.
Maybe their Lycra shorts are just too tight and they are unable to spare any wasted breathe.
Just a simple hello – is all I look for.
