Comments on: Just Say Hi

By: Billy

Billy — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:45:45 +0000

Well I think in general the Asheville area is friendlier, but that might be the homey in me talking, although the Denver area does score well in the friendly category. We actually lived in Golden and before that Flagstaff, two similar, small towns with a mix of people and cultures. Both are very friendly places and hard to compare to the general populations of Colorado and Arizona.

The Denver area ranks as one of the best places we have lived and it seems to have a very healthy, active population. I believe it always ranks at or near the top in it’s residents being a healthy, fit bunch with the lowest incidence of obesity. And the Denver area, although a big city, never seemed crowded to me. It is well laid out with lots of walking and biking trails and open space. Surely there’s a connection with being healthy, active, and uncrowded and being friendly.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:18:51 +0000

Billy,
Hi to Audrey too!
Just curious, since you recently moved across the country: do you feel there’s any difference in friendliness between people in the Denver area and people in the Asheville area?

By: Billy

Billy — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:22:23 +0000

I am enjoying this. It’s a way of life for me…I do it without even thinking. All the best and see you this summer. Audrey says Hi to Carolyn and Jay.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:20:26 +0000

Awesome, Steve! My grocery store uses lots of differently abled people for baggers. It is hard to be patient with them sometimes, even though my own son might be there someday. Giving them a high five when they complete their task is such a great idea.

Sally, or anyone else: here’s an easy link to this post, which you could put on facebook or wherever:

bit.ly/justsayhi

“Hey”, “hi”, or a high five: it’s all good!
thanks for everyone’s comments!

The huge volume of texting that goes on these days is frightening. It’s clearly keeping people from face-to-face interaction. I often see 2 people sitting in silence at a table at a restaurant, both of them texting on their phones and not interacting with each other at all.

By: steve

steve — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:21:35 +0000

variations… Certainly a smile and a hello would be excellent here, but …

I was at a local store that supports a program that teachers young retarded people work skills. They try to be so helpful – some of them have figured out what to do well and some get very confused. Customers mostly look away so it can be sad.

Anyway one guy who has been having problems managed to bag my stuff almost right. I found myself smiling and thought why not … “do you know what a high five is?” he did. It took three attempts, but we got it! Two of the others saw this and ran up for theirs and then they started giving them to each other.

It was a completely beautiful moment

By: Maria

Maria — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:24:25 +0000

Hi, Wendy. Love the t-shirt. What a great look for you. I have to say that although it is a Southern city, Charlotte is not as friendly as it used to be. Many people are too wrapped up in cell phones, iPods and texting to say, “Hi” or “Hey”. I think, though, it is because too many damn yankees moved down here (LOL).

By: bill

bill — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:19:52 +0000

HI! (hey) Wendy Good luck with your crusade. Smaller towns are generally friendlier than big cities. Southerners are certainly more courteous, and have no hesitation in saying ” HEY” to a total stranger. Newcomers may take awhile to adjust to this unexpected warmth. you soon realize though, that being friendly is a way of life, and easy and rewarding . keep up the good work!

BSL bill

By: steve

steve — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 02:19:50 +0000

Someone I emailed this link as well as Colleen’s high five link to responded with this variation of what to do in NYC:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMQk8Uncl9k

By: Sally/Mom

Sally/Mom — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:21:35 +0000

Hi Wendy…I just posted your picture on my facebook. So cute!
I would like to publish your link…when I figure out how to do it!
I attended two colleges in the south…At each one we always greeted everybody with a Hi or Hey.
One of my colleges moved to our town…Now students from the North are in the majority. When I walk on the campus, I always
say Hi and am greeted with a surprised/startled look! Maybe they think I want something from them. I do…just a reply…Hi!

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 04:05:46 +0000

Hi Nancy,
Good to hear from you! It’s common knowledge that a cute puppy is a “chick magnet” for a man. I’m glad to hear there are social benefits for a woman with a cute puppy as well. But I agree, it’s sad that the puppy is necessary for someone to notice you in the halls.

Margaret,
you’re my rural connection. I’m glad to hear that this sort of acknowledgment is still going on, even within a hunk of steel. I find it kind of endearing too to be called “honey” in the South– please don’t tell my friends out in Berkeley, CA.