Not individually of course just a general hello or good afternoon out loud. It funny though because everyone in the room replies with the same. Such a polite culture.

Yes, very polite.

That is very polite.

in Austria we say hello and good bye to ppl in the waiting room and we greet strangers on the street. i'm so used to it, that i never thought about it, but now that you mention it, it's actually pretty nice!

The other day when we were talking about culture people were saying that the American habit of being friendly in a shop is fake and forced. But saying hello to a room full of strangers is polite. Splain it to me please? Genuinely curious to understand as I find cultural practices super interesting

personally I think it is always lovely when people smile and greet each other, even if we are strangers. In a shop, on the street, in an office, whatever. Its kind to smile and say hello to each other

This weekend when we were back in my mom's village and I walked into a supermarket two men walking out at the same time said hi. For a split second I was wondering if I knew them and just didn't recognise them, but then I realised, no, it's just a village.

I always do that. But I always say good-morning -with a smile-. Even in the afternoon or at night.

sjonsvenson: That's the nice thing about "Howdy." It's a good all-purpose greeting.

is absolutely polite .

I feel like this happens in lifts only in the UK

Chestnut: I think it’s because when the US cashier does it, it’s because they have to. It’s required as part of the job. Here it’s a matter of acknowledging that there are other people in the room and people matter. I do it on the street as well. I smile, nod and say goedemiddag or dag, meaning good afternoon .

mthorkveld: howdy works too but they don’t really know that word here. LOL

IzzieButton: exactly, I feel it’s just common courtesy.

Chestnut: on 2nd thought I have to think about this a little bit more. I’m not exactly sure why it’s different. I think it’s just the whole waiting room hello thing. I’d never think to do that in the states. I’d nod and smile but not say a general hello to everyone. Hmmmm....I’ll get back to you on this one.

But I too absolutely love cultural differences. I find them interesting especially if you can learn how it came to be. So fascinating to me. Always has been. You know what I think that’s a big part of what I love about the Euro terrace culture. I just love sitting with a coffee or something and just watching the people.

I literally can sit for hours watching what people do and how they act. I guess this made me a good int auditor. The whole job is observe & report. I loved it! LOL
That’s the other nice thing about the terras sitting, the servers don’t bother you, or rush you out. If anything they ignore you unless you need something. LOL They get paid the same either way.