Now, I'm a bit of a shy person (anyone who knows me will probably laugh incredulously at this point), so I have to force myself to perform some of the "social niceties", and one of them is saying "Happy New Year" or "Frohes Neues Jahr" to people as you pass by them in the street.
The streets were fairly empty on New Year's Day, and yet, everyone I passed didn't say a word, not even "Hello", not even a nod in acknowledgement of seeing a fellow human being on such a quiet day. And on 2 January, walking in a greener area, things were no better. I said "Frohes Neues Jahr" to people and they just stared at me. Not even a grunt in return.
This is just so puzzling. I've never encountered such rudeness before. Normally, it's me who has to reply to others. I mentioned this to a German journalist this morning and she said she had also had the same experience. She thinks that people may think that the innocuous phrase "Frohes Neues Jahr" is much too personal to say to any Tom, Dick or Harry you may encounter. Personally, I am not convinced by that. I believe that such unfriendliness may have two causes: 1) the increasing amount of time people spend online at home - especially since the pandemic and 2) the media that stirs up mistrust of other people.
It's been years, probably a couple of decades, since I watched the news. These days, I don't much listen to the news either. No, what I prefer to do is to trawl through the newspapers - online or in the library - because they offer two advantages. Firstly, you can read different slants on news events by reading more than one paper with different political views. Secondly, even the most morose newspaper includes a few upbeat articles, a few snippets of good news, a line or two that might raise a smile.
We need to remember that even though the TV news programmes want to stir up our fear and despair by showing us the worst of humanity, all humans are not inherently wicked and that there is more good than bad in the world.
Having said that, may I wish everyone a Happy New Year! Onwards and upwards! Never give up - never surrender!
"Personally, I am not convinced by that. I believe that such unfriendliness may have two causes: 1) the increasing amount of time people spend online at home - especially since the pandemic and 2) the media that stirs up mistrust of other people."
ReplyDeleteYou have hit the nail on the head here. Flipping good article, too. I do believe you are shy, but can "pretend to be extrovert," if that makes sense.
Frohes Neues!