I’m asking because it’s a very normal thing to do here.
When you enter a room, but also things like a hairdresser or say a small cafe, you say hello to the people there and say goodbye when leaving. Or when taking a bus, you say hello to the driver and goodbye or thank him when getting off.
I was only recently told by some online friends of mine that this is pretty weird in other places. So I’m wondering if I’m (or my country) is the weird one or them
No. I am not.
I am surprised that anyone would equate a simple greeting with requiring a conversation or asking someone out.
All I ask is a same or similar Hello, tiny smile, whatever simple human acknowledhement you care to give. One does not even have to slow their pace to do this.
Ignoring someone that just wished you a good day is rude.
You just said “no” and then proceeded to explain exactly how you are doing it and again assume negative things about people.
You have no idea what they’re experiencing at the moment though. Maybe they’ve just been served divorce papers or pulled the plug on their mother. Or maybe they were just sold to/hit on by someone with the exact same approach. People live in too high a density in most places to expect patience from strangers, because it will be taken advantage of and used up.