The Nod

Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
The Nod
9
Mon, 01-09-2006 - 6:50pm

What exactly is "the nod" supposed to mean?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
In reply to: cl_shywon
Mon, 01-09-2006 - 8:26pm

Heck - at least you get nods. I get people who stare at me as I approach, but then quickly look away when I make eye contact.

What ever happened to saying hello? Do people not talk to each other anymore?

AJ, enjoying life with C.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2005
In reply to: cl_shywon
Mon, 01-09-2006 - 11:08pm

Ah, I used to be such a sucker for "the nod". Silly, young me, I interpreted it as a sign of masculinity and thought it was cute.

Now, I don't mind it but if it doesn't come with a "hi" or, dare I say "how you doin'?" then I'd just as soon it didn't happen at all.

I don't think people really "greet" each other anymore. It's a bummer, because I talk to just about everyone and I'd say 80% of people seem uncomfortable with casual conversation with a stranger. Maybe it's just a city thing, but it is too bad. We could all learn a little something from the rural folk. :-)

Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 01-10-2006 - 7:49am

Well, I'm one of the 80% that's uncomfortable with casual conversation.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 01-10-2006 - 8:36am

***Probably because my mother talks to everyone- everyone- when she goes anywhere and gets some looks from people like "who the heck are you?" She doesn't care, but as a kid it really embarrassed me.***

I have an aunt like that but it still embarasses me. Not because she talks to everyone (I have a friendly face and am the kind of person that little old ladies strike up conversations with in line or on the bus, so I am a talker too) but because she does it to the point where people are visibly uncomfortable, annoyed, or pitying her and she can't see it. She has NO idea of how people perceive her and that really bothers me because it means that she also has no idea how her behavior makes them feel and it's extremely self centerd.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2005
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 01-10-2006 - 8:41am
Yeah, there is definitely a line that can be crossed and people feel uncomfortable. I wouldn't take it that far. Just general stuff like how busy the post office is or the weather. I've made a lot of friends and connections in causal conversation though, so sometimes it pays off.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 01-10-2006 - 12:57pm

>>Just general stuff like how busy the post office is or the weather. I've made a lot of friends and connections in causal conversation though, so sometimes it pays off.<<

I really wish more people would do that. You don't have to get personal - but it's nice to chat with people around you.

Think about it... how many times do you go into, say, a bookstore FULL of people and never talk to anyone unless you buy something and the checker says "cash or charge"?

I think it's really sad that we have so many people around us all the time and we're all scared to death of each other. Then, we complain later that we're lonely.

Ok - that's it. Starting today, I'll be the one to say hello walking down the street.

AJ, enjoying life with C.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2005
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 01-10-2006 - 3:49pm

I agree.

If you're not used to it, it takes some practice but I've found people are generally receptive. It's not that we don't like communication, I think we've just sort of lost the value of face to face conversation a little. For example, message boards. :-)

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 01-10-2006 - 6:24pm

Seriously. We can bare our souls here, but can't say hello in person. :)

AJ, enjoying life with C.

Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 01-10-2006 - 7:36pm

Honestly, I don't think my mom crossed the line with strangers, it's just that people weren't all that receptive or she didn't quite know when the conversation was over.