In the big city..
I think its respectful to say good morning to someone passing you on the street.
Especially older people.
Its how it was done when I was a kid.
I still say morning or hello to most people I pass.
I come from a small town.
Carry On. Lol

return the gesture ?
Shocking

If you look for smiles, you will find them.

for your profundity. It really puts the perils of this World into perspective for me.

I have the same feeling when exchanging a nod or hello with a stranger.
Like you say, a little dose of humanity.
It goes along way.

When a child tries to say "oh the humanity"
thanks for reminding me of a small peep that reminds me of a previous moment. reminds me of hope.

I was in the USA on vacation and I was thrilled that even at my low cost hotel, the guests greeted each other in the hallways with “Good morning” and eye contact. Strangers. Greeting each other. It made me so happy to experience that, and also sad that Vancouver is an impersonal and generally unconnected place. The less time I spend here, the better.

To repeat the above post from Mantra, "If you look for smiles, you will find them."

Or, be the one to smile and make the change you'd like to see.

I did an experiment here in Vancouver. I made a point of smiling and saying hello to total strangers throughout the period of several months, all throughout the Lower Mainland. Guess what - 100% of the people returned my gesture. Vancouver isn't the cold place people like to label it as, it just takes a tiny bit of effort to get the ball rolling.

There’s an area along the river in Richmond where I greet people and say Hello or nod when I walk, run or bike along the road. There’s a sense of community and civility for sure. Don’t jump to conclusions that I don’t greet people, because I do. For the most part, people in Vancouver DGAF about being civil and friendly. Any weekend in town you will already know this.