Being Friendly?

[ninajay]

I was with a friend the other day and a guy spoke to her saying, " hi how are you today?"  She wasn't interested and barely spoke. She just said hi and turned away. I thought he was just being friendly, but she assumed he was trying to get her number or something. I actually thought she was a little rude. When someone of the opposite sex smiles and says hi, do you think they are just being friendly or do you assume they are hitting on you?

[jcribb16]

   I guess it would depend upon the situation and the people involved.  I think, on one hand, people are very cautious to encourage friendliness not knowing who they really are.  On another hand, speaking from an incident from someone I know, a greeting was given back, a conversation started, then he started following her, creeping her out.  I don't see anything wrong with saying hi back, unless I just didn't feel right about where I was and who was around me. Most people, I've had contact with, are just being down-earth friendly!

[mommagoes]

i can usually tell where the guy's interest lies from just that initail greeting. if i can tell the guy is just creating small-talk to kill time, say waiting in line at the bank, then i respond politely and may carry a conversation with him until my wait is over. but if i can tell the buy is trying to hit on me or flirt with me, i'll reply politely but then will turn away from him or do something that will tell him i am not interested in talking, like start messing with my cell phone or going through papers in my purse.

[Lusie]

On another hand, speaking from an incident from someone I know, a greeting was given back, a conversation started, then he started following her, creeping her out. 

I actually had this happen to me when I was 18. The guy would always come into the store where I worked and would hang out till I got ready to get off work. Finally had enough of it one day and one of my guy friends met up with me and walked me out to the car. We "pretended" we were dating and the other guy finally left me alone.

I have no problem saying hi or being polite to guys. I am very cautious though. Too many jerks as BFs sort of messes with you.

[ktheodos]

I give people the benefit of the doubt and assume they're being friendly...as a guy though, the way girls respond
sometimes, you would think that I was creepy or something-in reality, the opposite is true.  The sad part is people
will then turn around and be at bar and trust people there like nothing you've ever seen......

[chickauhtree]

I tend to think it depends on the situation.  I see people being friendly I will wave or smile to show that I acknowledge them.  It is wild that when people are at a bar or where there is alcohol they seem like it is alright to be extremely friendly to strangers.  Now days you have to be extremely cautious around many places with alcohol or not.  IT is better to be save then sorry

[mrisha]

Some women arrogantly thinks that if a guy speaks to them they are coming on to them.  What has become of the world that plain old common courteously is taken for something unsavory?  Yeah there are guys who are hitting on you sometimes when they speak, but their  body language and the look in their eyes always give them away.  So you really have to take a second to determine if is just plain courtesy or a hound dog speaking to you.

[makedoughonline]

I think she is arrogant, and doesn't have even the basic social skills.

[sflynt81]

mostly I would think they are being friendly. It's not as easy to make friends nowdays like when we were kids.

[sigmapi1501]

Ummm who opens with 'hi' anymore?

"Not gonna waste a lot of you girls' time, but do you think it's still ok for a man to hold the door open for a woman... or does that cut into your independence?"

It's his fault.  Saying "Hi" triggers a defense mode. A "what does this guy want form me?" feeling. 

[jcribb16]

Ummm who opens with 'hi' anymore?

"Not gonna waste a lot of you girls' time, but do you think it's still ok for a man to hold the door open for a woman... or does that cut into your independence?"

It's his fault.  Saying "Hi" triggers a defense mode. A "what does this guy want form me?" feeling. 

I think it is very welcome and gentlemanly for a man to open the door for a woman. That happens less than it use to, but it's always nice to see and to have happen to me! 

[dirtditty]

I think she was just being rude he could have just told her to kiss his 

[kcaution]

It's a sad problem these days...seems like because of the news and stuff everyone always assumes people are out to get them 
Personally I'd like it if more people just came up to say hi for no reason 

[bigedshult]

no there not all way's hitting on you.I will some time say that someone look good even if i don't know them just because they look good .I have on other reson to say it.

[bschumacher]

Is she was not interested, she could have made a brief, polite, but unencouraging reply. Then she could have turned to you and said, "Don't forget we have to leave for ___." Being a good friend, you would have said, "Oops, we're already late." All this can be done in a civil way.