I see the same people, in the same places, at the same times everyday. I’m a creature of routine habit. Apparently so are the people I run into regularly. Many of the people are see are friendly. We make eye contact. We smile, wave and greet each other.
In time, some of these “walk by” greetings grow into conversations. Sometimes it’s just small talk about the weather, a deer or bird we saw on the trail or a comment about our dogs. Occasionally, the conversations go deeper. I’ve learned about one friend’s knee surgery. Another told me his wife had to move into assisted living. One volunteers at a homeless shelter. Another rescues dogs.
It’s a neighborhood full of friendly people.
It’s not Tamaqua, but it’s my hometown now and it’s pretty good.
There are some people I see who are not interested in engaging. They won’t make eye contact. They stare at their phone or off into the distance. They might be listening to music or a podcast or talking on their phone.
Maybe they are distracted. Or focused. Or painfully shy.
If I see them regularly and have had numerous attempts to smile and say hello with no reciprocation, eventually I give up. I’ll turn my head and pay attention to my dog. Or I’ll scour the woods for deer, the treetops for birds or look past them down the street.
I think these people are kind of weird. But whatever. I’m kind of weird too.
If they want to pretend they cannot see me, it doesn’t matter. It’s none of my business.
There are plenty of us who do see each other.