Regarding politeness, I am one of those who generally seeks to remain anonymous on the street or Metro, but if someone greets me, I’ll respond. Just be warned, though, that when I have my “city blinders” on I have been known to not notice my own roommate (he’s 6′4″) on the street! I understand that one becomes jaded living in a city of this size, but at the same time when one is in a relatively safe social setting such as a bar, I think it’s ok to drop the defenses a little. After all, if you only wanted a drink by yourself, you could just stay home.

By the time I was 5, my mother had instructed me to stand when a person entered a room, especially a lady,and to stand when left the person left.This was my first introduction to acknowledgment.
By the age of 12 a shop teacher taught us that when we gave a hand shake upon introduction, that it be firm and look the person in the eye. In 1986 at the age of 27,my arm began to raise and offer the peace sign.(I have no idea how that manifested itself.) All of these gestures I carry to this day,regardless if it is with an Ambassador’s wife or our nurse’s aid.
I was humbled to see film footage from 1913 of the Tecentenary Procession of the Romanov Dynasty, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxYmU_RTjqM
and see Czarina Alexandra bowing her head in gracious acknowledgment to her people. (Remember the footage is at fast speed.)Why should such a powerful woman be bowing to people; the grand-daughter of Queen Victoria and Czarina of all the Russias?
Another powerful representation of acknowledgment is in a scene from the first film Elizabeth with Cate Blanchete.
As Princess Elizabeth enters a inner courtyard filled with politically divided subjects,she stops at the entrance and the subjects settle to her presence. She acknowledges them with a respectful and sustained curtsy, bowing her head,the subjects part to the sides, she walks to the other end of the courtyard, turns around and curtsies to them in respectful gratitude.
Why all of this talk of standing upon the entrance of a lady to a room or royals bowing and curtsying? I feel that acknowledgment first is initiated by self-respect, dignity and most importantly humility.
As a result of my humbling experience at Tia Sophia, I now, more personally acknowledge the people who are servicing me; whether a grocery clerk, or a receptionist on the phone.
I think their name tags are there for more than reporting unsatisfactory service. Could there be anther reason for name tags? When I get coffee at Starbucks I will say, “Thank you David.” or “Good morning, Mr. Johnson.”
And the same goes for the phone. When I call for service and the receptionist says,”Hello, this is Shirika. How may I help you today?”
I respond with,”Good afternoon Shirika. My name is Steven Kijek.”
and I proceed.

Acknowledgment requires us to take ourselves off “auto-pilot” and be in the moment of now, and employ all of our 5 senses with sincere and good intention.
When a friend found his love I would always greet his new lover with the gentleness of a boobie; a hug, a soft caress of my thumb at his temples, close eye contact, with softly spoken words of acknowledgment into his ear, and a kiss to the cheek.
After a few of these encounters, my friend told me to back off, quite frankly.
I felt it was my responsibility as his friend to acknowledge his new love with great welcome and purity of heart. His demand of ceasing these warm welcoming gestures caused pain and confusion, but I realized that my intentions were not superficial,or full of ulterior motives. So I have stopped.
I have become more personable with people. I am far from a lolly-pop. I can still be glazed with imperious attitude, be on auto-pilot, or stuck in the past or expectations of the future. What I think is important is that we are reintroducing the art of acknowledgment, and that takes practice. Practice I hope continues for the rest of my life.
Thank you for letting me share and thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. I hope it was worth it.
Sincerely, F.Steven

Of course she says it best, of course.

I just got back from small-town Ohio, where not only do you say hello to everyone, but you also offer to get them drunk later that night. How about we start that philosophy in dc, as well?

this is why i have little to no gay friends. i feel like if i approach dudes they will naturally assume that im hitting on them. sucks.

This only works for me in a bar though, since I get annoyed when anyone tries to engage me in conversation on the metro or airplanes.

well, let’s put it to rest–i do want something: a social interaction.