Do you remember your first trip to a large city where you found out that smiling politely at strangers is completely unacceptable?

I was born/grew up in a big city so I always was closed off with strangers,I struggled more to do the opposite when I would visit family or go on vacation in smaller parts and everyone was more friendly /chatty or knew me but I didn't know them lmao so I think I came across as antisocial

Meh, thats city people

Thinking about it. I did not smile a lot when I was younger. I had vampire teeth and after braces, I made up for it. I make a point to interact, yes I'm that person!
Sometimes people seem surprised by that.

I don't think I ever smiled at strangers in my life. I always saw them as a threat. 😅

My daughter used to stand on our porch and wave at the cars going down the street lol

Exactly the same place. I prefer catching the bus to the Tube 😐

I happen to live in one of the most highly-populated cities in my country, but people are very mellow here. In fact, my city (Mesa, Arizona) is also one of the safest cities in the country. I like to think it's because it's always so fucking hot, we don't got the energy to be uptight with each other here, lol.

London
Being friendly at all is an act of terrorism

I go ahead and smile regardless.

I always found that myth of unfriendly Londoners to be without basis. Until I hit 30 I had spent half of my life in Greater London and the other half in what's now Liverpool City Region.

meh, city slickers...

the animals inside the city zoo's are more interesting/entertaining than all the primitive plebs walking around on the streets...

I grew up in the city.

But I remember people most kids wave at trains, I wave back.

I grew up in NYC, so our trips always were to smaller places.

My first trip into my city with my friends at 12yrs old I got mugged at knifepoint. That was quite the welcome 🤔

Londoner here...