Is it strange to anyone else that we can use whatever time of day it happens to be as a greeting for others? Leighanne and I were walking to Satellite Cafe on Sunday morning and we passed a runner going the opposite direction. To be friendly, we always greet others who are out enjoying the day. We greeted this woman by saying "Morning" and she responded by saying "Morning" right back to us. At that moment it occured to me how strange this practice is. It is also acceptable/just as strange to say "Afternoon", "Evening", and "Night." It is not acceptable, however, to greet someone by saying "Noon" or "Midday." Why are these not seen as greetings?! Why can't we say "10:42" or "11:08" when we see someone? It seems like the same thing as saying "Morning" to me.
I propose we all try to throw people off/change the norm by saying "Mid-Afternoon" or "Early Evening" when we pass someone in the hall. If you pass someone in the hall around noon, say "Noon" and say it with a smile. See how they respond. See if they say it to the next day. If they do say it to you the next day, look at them like they are the weirdest person you've ever met. That will really throw them for a loop.
3 comments:
When saying goodbye..."later." So, when greeting someone, why not "now"?
Eh, eh, eh...?
You brought up "night", but I don't think you can use it as a greeting, only as a goodbye. For some reason, "evening" implies both, but "night" just means goodbye.
What good insight. I might have to do a social experiment at my work.
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