Headphones - greeting people

[abstibus]

I live in a part of the country where people, even strangers, would make eye contact and greet each other in passing.
Now almost everyone is wearing headphones and listening to I-pods or whatever.
This casual way of greeting is disappearing - I think it's changing our society, and making us more insular.
Does anyone else feel like this?

[HowardKennitby]

Personally I would it put it the other way round. Certainly round here it seems the growth in ipods etc. is due to the fact that people no longer want to interact. It seems to be an attempt to preserve some personal space in an increasingly overcrowded situation.

[Maydup]

It is a great shame anne and a sign that your part of the country is catching the same disease as the towns and cities, although the headphones there protect people form the noise and interference of the busy world.

[albaqwerty]

I can understand people wearing headphones on a bus/train to pass the time on the journey but for pedestrians I think it is stupid.
Where I live, it's a joy to say good morning or whatever but I do find they are of a 'certain' age.

[abstibus]

Yes, maid
I have lived in very large cities where anonymity and personal privacy are quite rightly guarded, and always looked forward to returning to the pleasure of eye contact and everyday greetings.
I miss these.

[waterboatman]

We still smile and greet each other here in Gloucestershire, the bit I'm in anyway!
It makes the day just that little bit more pleasant.

[ojread2]

After living in Scotland for 7 years, the only thing I miss is the 'Good Mornings' and 'Hello's' as you walk along the street

I have found though, that if you make the effort here 'darn sarf', you just looked at as if you're the Devil in disguise. The only ones who return a smile or greeting are little old ladies and men - sad, but true