Today as I walked toward Harvard alone, I decided to say hello to everyone I walked past.

After 42 of these encounters, I stopped counting.

I said hi to an ancient Chinese man, an old woman with a cane, a couple holding hands, a homeless man with Mardi Gras beads and a hat with a shark fin, a construction crew, a man in a suit, a foreign family, and many, many more.

Here’s my unscientific report of the reactions:

• About 75% of my new friends appeared startled when I said hi
• About 10% wouldn’t make eye contact or say anything in response
• 1 lady’s eyes bugged out and she actually looked scared
• A few of the men acted really nonchalant and just said ‘hi’ back like it was normal
• The women seemed more uncomfortable than the men
• The construction workers were by far the friendliest

Don’t ask me why I felt compelled to do it, but I guess it wasn’t until I spent the bulk of a couple days alone in a strange city that it really occurred to me that people hibernate, even in broad daylight in the city.

I don’t know if I had the nerve to be so chatty with strangers because I am in a different city, and why it has never occurred to me to do this at home?

It was fun though. I’m going to do it again.

One more thing – I wouldn’t recommend actually making verbal content with bikers. I waved at a couple, and that was pretty successful.

Do it! Next time you’re out alone, say hi the people that you meet when you’re walking down the street! (Just be careful, and stay safe.)

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