Why are we anti-social monsters?

This is one of topic that I would really love to get comments about from all readers of this post. Why do we find it difficult to greet certain people that we meet in the street and we know well enough? It is a common occurence in society for us to see people that we know and quickly look away or downwards in the hope that they have not noticed that we have seen them already. The onus then rests on the other person to acknowledge us and if they do not greet us, for some totally senseless reason, we become offended! Talk about doing unto others what you would not like done unto you!


I know that at times there are issues within us or between us and the other person that stifle our social ettiquette, rendering us rude, unfriendly monsters. These could range from embarrassment, anger, jealousy, sickness, and grumpiness, all the way to bitternes. Such cases though not valid reasons to be anti-social, at least provide some explanation. What then of the instances where there is no logical reason to ignore a person and pretend not to see them? In some cases we do not habour any ill feelings towards the person that we avoid. We also do not have any "issues" but still we would rather be greeted than greet first. Why?


Could it be that people have degenerated into a state of utter self-centredness that leaves no room for kindness, humility and love for the other? I really have struggled to find an explanation since a few days ago when I walked past a restaurant and saw someone that I had last seen years ago. Instead of calling out, I walked on stiff necked. The next day I met the same individual, this time face to face. In the course of the conversation it was revealed that he had also seen me, but claimed it was only after I had gone past! Both of us had seen each other but chose not to reach out. Someone please enlighten me as to the cause of this baffling phenomenon.