why a person is not responding to your greeting

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I learned a social lesson (it took a few times to sink in), but hopefully this can help those who are making the mistake.

If you are in an area with other people, and you shout "Hey", you probably aren't going to get a response from the person you want. Not because they are ignoring you, but because they have no idea it was for them. Especially if their back is facing the other way or they are occupied with something.

You should try saying their name audibly and/or tap them on the shoulder, so its unequivocal that its intended for them. A person may suspect a general greeting is for them, but might not respond in fear of being embarrassed that it was intended for someone else.

This applies especially if you are trying to meet a stranger.

in my case...I generally AM ignoring them because I don't really know them, or I repeal my response until they get closer... because I honestly would never "shout out" in any public place... I am already full of anxiety by just BEING there... but aside from that... good advice!

i don't respond fast enough to people, i am always several beats behind, and by the time i do respond they've already long ago moved on. i'm just too effing slow, in general.

Or wave and smile...even if they don't know you...they might wave back.

the problem with that is it is just as general as yelling "Hey."

the person would not know if the wave and smile is for them if theres other people in the room, and if its a stranger, they would likely assume its not for them.

Hmm, no...because there is an amount of eye contact involved.

but you would have to be close to a person, and the person would have to know for sure there isn't a person behind them, especially a stranger.

Good lesson, minervx.

thanks

thats what we are here for. we all learn from each other