How often do you greet perfect strangers?
I have a great bike ride from Ferney-Voltaire (where I am staying) to CERN: Here’s the route (red line):
Much of it is on little roads through fields of alfalfa, sunflowers (which are in fact purple when they first flower), poppies, and other plants I cannot identify, just skirting the suburb of Meyrin (I don’t have a camera with me, else I’d post a picture). On my way in I typically come across 5 or 6 random people out walking (usually with the dog) or running, basically just enjoying the nice morning and environs, and each of these people I greet with a “Bon jour” (although my French is terrible) and they return the greeting. That is just how it is done here – quite a departure from the “don’t make eye contact with anyone” standard in the US (at least the urban US), and much more friendly. So usually I’m in a pretty good mood when I get to work.
