Being too conscious of social performance

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Sometimes greeting people depends on the context too. I find it is easier, and more natural, to say ''hello'' or ''morning/afternoon/evening'' to a shopkeeper when you walk into a small shop. I find it much more smoother to say it then than saying it to a stranger passing in the street. Like at work, I find it easier to greet people too when I first come in. It comes so natural to me that I don't think anything of it. But when I'm walking along the street, my mindset completely changes.

I would love to be one of those people who don't eve have to do anything and they'll still get a friendly greet from a passing stranger. I remember when my bus broke down and I was the only passenger left and so I had to wait with the bus-driver (who was a female). She stood outside the bus smoking a cigarette, and I stood near the bus doors to get some fresh air, and a man happened to walk by. He looked at me and gave an awkward smile, then didn't say anything, and as he passed the bus-driver, he spewed out a ''hello'', and she kind of looked at him unexpectedly and said, ''hello'' without much emotion, so I could tell she wasn't expecting him to greet her. Also she was in a bad mood because of the bus breaking down, and almost had her back to him and so didn't see him coming, and was lighting up her cigarette too, and so didn't exactly have the friendliest expression at the time. It's like some people don't even have to do anything to get friendly attention, while I'm lucky to get a hint of a smile from someone even if I give one of my nice smiles.