Really? Only seven out of fifteen? Really? Not even half? There is something seriously wrong with this statistic.

What am I talking about? Today, the day after Thanksgiving, I went for a run. I started out on one of my standard routes, but decided to turn down a side road that led into the Brentwood Country Club – an affluent little neighborhood that backs up to a golf course. There is about a half mile of road heading straight into the Country Club community before it dead ends and you have to turn around and come back. So, within approximately an one mile total distance and about nine minutes of running, I ran past fifteen people or groups of people. I waved to all of them and only seven out of fifteen waved back. That’s less than half!!! When I set out for my run, my plan was not to actually count all of the people I passed and see who would wave back, rather, when I first entered the Brentwood Country Club I waved to the first car that passed me and he looked right at me and didn’t even acknowledge me. What? Who does that? It’s not like I was asking for money, just a wave or a smile.

I grew up in a small town where you wave or say hello to everyone you pass whether or not you know them so I find this reaction really strange and rude. Although, I will admit that because it’s such a small town, you do tend to know everyone you pass. To me, it seems like a nice thing to do – wave to strangers and smile at them. What’s the harm in that? You’d think it might cheer them up.

Because the driver of the first car that passed me didn’t wave, I waved to the driver of the second car and the same thing happened. What the heck? Why are all of these people so rude? How difficult is it to throw your hand in the air and wave or at the very least acknowledge the fact that I just waved at you and muster up a smile? Have we become such a selfish culture that we can’t even be friendly to strangers? The whole thing really irritated me. It actually felt like some people would go out of their way NOT to smile or wave at me.

On the other hand, I am grateful that at least seven people waved. Actually, there was one joyful man that passed me, gave me a big wave and huge smile. However, most people that did “wave” would lift only one finger off of the steering wheel to acknowledge the fact that I had just waved at them, but hey, at least it was an attempt and I’ll take that.

What’s the moral of the story? Be friendly to everyone you pass in your journey of life, no matter where you are or what the setting is. Even among strangers quickly passing by on the street, a first impression is lasting. The one joyful man that threw out a big wave and smile put me in a better mood and his happiness remains in my mind. It’s amazing how another person’s response to us can affect our own thoughts and moods. Choose to be friendly. You might bring a little cheer to someone else AND yourself!

PS – Has anyone else had this happen to them? Please share your stories!