civil inattention

Civil inattention is a social behavior where individuals acknowledge each other's presence with brief, respectful glances or minimal interaction, especially in public spaces. This mutual non-intrusiveness signals recognition without implying familiarity or interest in engaging further. It helps maintain personal boundaries and social harmony, allowing people to coexist peacefully without the pressure of full interaction. Essentially, civil inattention is a polite way of acknowledging others nearby while respecting their privacy, facilitating smooth and unobtrusive social interactions in shared environments.