12 Good-mornings versus six blanks stares
My observation for this week. Since when have we become a community, where a pleasant 'good morning' has been replaced with a curious blank stare? I'm watching Ted Lasso on Apple TV, and I find it hilarious in a Ned Flanders kind-of-way how the main character Ted faces the constant barrage of colourful language while still smiling and extending a cheery hello! I would have told them to stick it where the sun doesn't shine, but hey, that's just me. The thought did linger. I decided to test out the theory that faced with a 'good morning' from a stranger would compel you to adhere to social customs to respond, unless you were a psychopath and if that's the case, run for the hills!
I deduced that those who were walking opposite the same path at the same time as I must share a twinge of commonality, the fact that morning exercise is a priority and that we are on the same track – tick. Part of the social experiment required me to turn my head and make eye contact, which means, even with my mask on, I must have appeared to be an overly excited 'real morning' person. Laugh as you may, I snickered as well.
Ten minutes into my walk, two cyclists, two good mornings. One stern jogger, one grunt. I take that as a no —another set of twin-set millennials, two hesitant good mornings, one giggle, one look back. Next, a woman with Frenchie, yes. Two older Asian fellows, probably hard of hearing, so that's a no. As I rounded the bend along the river, the Aerobics instructor with ear pods was a no, yet the couple with two greyhounds responded with a hearty good morning. Man with a white beard was a hello back, as was the rotund gentleman not far behind. Angry woman, no, but I'll take the singing man as a yes; he did, after all, nod in tune with the beat. By the time I reached the café, two serious walkers had beaten me to it – they either felt the lure of my gaze or picked up on the strange vibration that they were being watched.
I concluded that my good morning project wasn't about getting a response; instead, it tested my ability to say good morning. Manners aside, it's a nice feeling, and even as my cynical self was left in bed that morning and even if those I passed became just a little curious, I can guarantee their demeanour changed the minute a stranger said good morning. And if that's what all it took to change someone's vibration, then hat's off to me!
#walkinginthemorning #lockdownexercise #observation #justsayhello #testingout #lol