If you don’t say hi back you’re trash!

Okay, so I totally get where you're coming from with this *hot take*. It's incredibly frustrating, and honestly, disheartening when you see someone, especially a child, put themselves out there with a friendly 'hi' and get met with a blank stare or, worse, an active ignore. As a fellow 'Momma Bear' (or just a human with empathy!), it really grinds my gears too. I’ve been there, both as the person saying hello and as an observer. There was this one time, my little niece, who’s usually quite outgoing, waved at a lady in the park, and the lady just looked right through her. My niece’s face just fell, and it broke my heart. It makes you wonder, what's going through people’s minds? Now, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt sometimes. Maybe they're genuinely distracted, lost in thought, or on an urgent call. We all have those moments, right? Or perhaps they're shy themselves, and a sudden 'hello' from a stranger, even a tiny one, catches them off guard. Social anxiety is a real thing, and not everyone is comfortable with spontaneous interactions. There might even be cultural differences where direct eye contact or unsolicited greetings aren't as common. However, I firmly believe there’s a difference between a genuine oversight and a deliberate, rude ignore. Rolling your eyes, as you mentioned, is a clear sign of the latter, and that's just unnecessary. It takes zero effort to offer a small smile or a quick nod back. It could make a child's day, reinforce their confidence in being friendly, and honestly, just brighten the atmosphere for everyone. Think about the impact. For a child, being ignored repeatedly when they try to engage can be confusing and even hurtful. It might make them hesitant to interact with others in the future, which isn't something we want to encourage. We want our kids to feel confident, friendly, and open to positive social interactions. That's why, when I see a child making an effort to say hi, I always make sure to return the greeting, even if it's just a quick wave and a smile. It's a small act of kindness that costs nothing but means everything. And for us adults, when we're the ones being ignored after extending a friendly greeting, it can sting. It makes you feel invisible or undervalued. My personal strategy is to just shrug it off. Not everyone is having a good day, and their reaction might have nothing to do with you. Keep being you, keep being friendly, and don't let one negative interaction dim your light. In conclusion, while I understand there can be various reasons for people not responding, a little bit of common courtesy goes a long way. Let's make an effort to acknowledge each other, especially the little ones who are just learning about the world and how to interact within it. It truly makes a difference. So next time a child says hi, remember the 'Momma Bear' motto: a smile and a wave are always welcomed!