“Don’t ever walk into my house without speaking!”, my father exclaimed.
“Sorry, Mr. Riley. Hello.”, my friend responded.
I was around 12 years-old when this short, but powerful exchange happened. Growing up, my father always emphasized the importance of speaking to people when you walked into their home. And not only did you speak to the head(s) of the household, you would also acknowledge the guest(s) in the room. Even if you didn’t know anyone in the entire place, you spoke.
And this rule didn’t just apply to households.
The expectation was simple: speak whenever you enter the room.
I automatically assumed most people were raised with a similar expectation, but as I grew older, I realized people didn’t hold this small act in high regard. Even something so small as speaking to the clerk at the grocery store when checking out or asking your server how their day is going before ordering something to drink. A small acknowledgement of their presence as a human being isn’t too much to ask, right?
My college roommates would invite friends over and their guests would hardly speak, unless they knew one of us in the group. People walk into our office, look at you in the face, and walk by as if you weren’t sitting there. If I want a proper greeting, I have to go out of my way to acknowledge them first. Who raised you?
Maybe I’m being too sensitive and people just aren’t aware, but my gut tells me otherwise. Do any of you get annoyed when people don’t speak when entering your house or workplace?
Holla at me!
Mr. J