DEAR MISS MANNERS: I take long walks around my apartment complex every morning. So do many others.
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Everyone seems to feel obligated to greet each other with “good morning” as they pass, which happens with such great frequency that I am distracted from my pacing and my thoughts.
Most of these people are complete strangers to me, and I want to keep it that way lest I get trapped in many conversations when I am trying to exercise.
GENTLE READER: Even if Miss Manners were inclined to help you -- presumably by stamping out all attempts at casual politeness -- would you still not be distracted by the need to growl at each passerby?
A simple nod without breaking your stride will, instead, satisfy the dictates of basic politeness, and seems to run a low risk of creating deep or lasting friendships.