JUST A THOUGHT - ON TAKING A CHANCE ON GREETING STRANGERS, AND BEING REBUFFED. THE END...

Because we are all 'strangers' whenever we find ourselves somewhere where we are 'not know by the locals.' 

And then, there are times when people will have to do business, interactions with 'strangers', like when you visit a shop in a town where the shop owner does not know you, or you them. 

Or we might be on holiday in 'a foreign country', where we need to interact with the 'locals.'  

At such times, we are required to assume a position of heightened vigilance, or allow our situational feeling of euphoria to guide us; we lower our feelings of distrust.

Of course, being 'polite' towards a fellow 'stranger' human who, at times, have summon up the courage or foolhardiness to greet you with a 'good morning', or 'good evening', or a 'hi, nice day.' 

Does not have to mean a lowering of ones vigilance. It is something which nurtures civility and expresses our shared humanity.

Conversely, being the optimist and initiating a greeting, only to be met by the disinterested and haughty averted gaze of our fellow human. 

Can be enough to momentarily become a pessimist about the natural state of the human condition. 

At least, until you meet the next person, 'stranger', and, is amazed that, this time, it is he/she who takes the initiative and greets you. 

A situation which can sometimes lead to young children asking mummy or daddy, 'do you know him/her?'

So, the next time you are out and somebody greets you, try to avoid it becoming a shock, by not having expected them to greet you. Think ahead and be prepared to take a chance on greeting your fellow human. 

It should leave you with a humble feeling and add some pleasure to your day, if you accept their greeting and/or they, yours.

It is not fitting that society and its modus operandi should be defined by the vices of the predatory minority, as to do so, would be to disrespect the majority. 

Neither should the impoliteness of our fellow human, ignoring the innocent greeting of his fellow, be allowed to become virtuous or excusable on the basis of the nurtured 'fear of the stranger.'
May you succeed in having a satisfying day