hi

so is saying "hi" a hard thing to do? or just SIMPLY acknowledging other people's existence? i ask because it has occurred to me that people i say "hi" to at work seem oddly pleased and confused that i acknowledge their presence. for instance, i see the guy-that-takes-my-trash on a daily basis, therefore, i feel i see him enough to say "hello, how are you?" and he almost took a second look today (i usually just say hi, but now that i've noticed it's a regular thing, i decided to ask how the guy's doing), startled (i could tell by the shocked look in the eyes and the fidgeting eyebrows) that i even cared to ask, he smiled, and responded "i'm doing good, [with emphasis on] thanks for asking. how are you?"

and then there's the security guard that i see every morning and i say "hi" to her EVERY time i see her and NOTICE that no one else around me EVER does. do people just think they're better than EVERYBODY else? i mean, it's not hard to say "hi." it takes all of a half a second. and besides, it makes people smile to know that you cared to give them your half a second of a breath. and don't you like to just "feel good" in general? i don't know about you, but i sure as hell do. i like knowing that i possibly made someone smile for half a second. it's better than no second at all. and what if you saying "hi" just put halt on what a bad day that person was having. wouldn't you want to have that kind of effect on people?

maybe i'm just crazy for thinking people could actually give a shit about someone other than themselves... one can only hope i guess.