When I was a kid I’d sit outside my house, watching cars go by, trying to name the correct make and model before they got too close (probably just a boy thing), but what I’d be fascinated by was how people walking in the streets would greet each other as they walked by.

One day I was sitting outside with our maid and she greeted a man as he walked by, and he in turn greeted her back. I asked her, “Ellie, is that man your friend?” And she said, “No, I’m just saying hello.”

I was probably about seven or eight years old at the time, and it’s one of those stories you never forget. I was fascinated at how total strangers could greet, smile, and continue on their way as normal.

This morning I walked to the office (about a twenty minute trek) and was greeted by, and in turn returned greetings to all but two out of I’d say fifteen passers-by, and those two were on the other side of the road. A nod, a smile, a heita. Any form worked. I can tell you this though, the walk would’ve been lank boring had I not had some form of interaction on the way, and I’m sure those folks feel the same way.

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