On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 17:44:51 +0900, Scott Reynolds <sar@gol.com>
wrote:

>On 11/25/2003 10:00 AM, Raj Feridun wrote:
>
>> Not everyone does. When I'm fishing other fishermen often strike up
>> conversations with me, for example. No, strangers do not say "hi,
>> how're you doing?" when they pass each other in the street except for
>> the single exception of passing each other on narrow mountain hiking
>> trails. I was completely broken of that good habit inside one year of
>> living here in Japan and I do regret that. 
>
>You know, that reminds me of the complaint* you sometimes hear about 
>gaigins ignoring or refusing to acknowledge other gaigins on the street. 
>We've had a couple of good go-rounds on that one in here.
>
>* This particular complaint invariably comes from gaigins who have not 
>yet been broken of the habit you mention.

LOL. I wish I caught those threads. Yes, having been completely broken
of the habit I don't even greet the occasional gaigin I see anymore.
:-( However, I am not so cold as to not respond if said gaigin greets
ME! I've just been broken of the habit to initiate.