Part of the way people inaertct seems to be influenced by social class, culture and income. On the street in Charlottesville blacks are much more likely than white people to make eye contact and offer or respond to a greeting. White folks, especially educated ones seem to find it very difficult to look others in the eye and acknowledge their existence. Many of them seem to be terrifed of strangers. I've spoken to black friends about this and they are often not aware that white people on the street ignore each other just as much as they do black people. When a white person refuses to make eye contact and looks right through them or away, they feel disrespected. They don't know that the white folks act the same way to each other. I do believe that lower income folks, of all races, tend to be friendleir and less suspicous of others than educated people of all races with money. Some of the most socially impaired, unfriendly people are outspoken proponents of community but they can't even look their neighbor in the eye and say hello. If you want to build a friendly community then start by realizing that most people are decent human beings who deserve a certain amount of respect.

by Ankujatt 03:37:15 PM 2012.07.26