[meddlepal]

A lot of it's cultural. I'm from Boston and the NYC anecdote resonates with how I operate. If you talk to me on street or on the T or really anywhere i'm not expecting you to talk to me and we don't have some business talking together then I've just been raised to assume you're crazy or asking for something. I feel like 80% of the time it's a good strategy.

[theaeolist]

In a big city "neighbours" doesn't mean random people on the street but usually other people in your apartment building. You can say 'hi' to them.