As one who hikes frequently, I often encounter other individuals along the trail; many have their dog, some are talking into their cell phone and a few, like me, are paying attention to the landscape, fauna and flora. Most of these persons are friendly, smiling, nodding or offering a brief greeting in response to my own comment.
However, a small but significant percentage of those encountered (usually males) offer no sign that they are aware of my presence and do not respond to my greeting; some stare at me but neither speak nor smile, seeming to express that they resent my presence. Of course, some of these unfriendly people are socially awkward due to extreme shyness, autism or other psycho-social malady but I suspect most are just plain anti-social people.
It is the later group that worries me. What percentage of mankind has no interest in or civility toward persons they do not know? One doubts that they are capable of kindness and one suspects that they would never come to the aid of a stranger in distress. One hopes that these anti-social traits are recognized by family and friends who will encourage the individual to seek counseling before their apparent disdain for strangers leads to violence.
However, a small but significant percentage of those encountered (usually males) offer no sign that they are aware of my presence and do not respond to my greeting; some stare at me but neither speak nor smile, seeming to express that they resent my presence. Of course, some of these unfriendly people are socially awkward due to extreme shyness, autism or other psycho-social malady but I suspect most are just plain anti-social people.
It is the later group that worries me. What percentage of mankind has no interest in or civility toward persons they do not know? One doubts that they are capable of kindness and one suspects that they would never come to the aid of a stranger in distress. One hopes that these anti-social traits are recognized by family and friends who will encourage the individual to seek counseling before their apparent disdain for strangers leads to violence.
