Dr. Akridge Speaks

In the past, we lived in a society where the way people greeted each other was a sign of respect, dignity, and intelligence. A simple “Good morning, sir,” or “Good evening, ma’am,” was a social cue that reflected mindfulness, manners, and even integrity. However, today we have fallen hard and extremely fast. Sadly, we see the decay of basic etiquette, and that decay can be traced to one seemingly harmless yet ignorant phrase: “Hi there.”

What was once a culture of poise has become a wasteland of lazy, detached, and, quite frankly, ignorant interactions. “Hi there” is no longer a casual throwaway. It is a symptom of a much larger sickness, which is manifested in a collective loss of respect, competence, and diplomacy.

 “Hi-There” Culture: The Evolution

The phrase “hi there” has, unfortunately, slithered its way into nearly every crevice of communication. Whether it’s professional emails, casual text messages, or face-to-face conversations, or even in situations that demand reverence or formality, we see the rise of the ‘hi-there’ mafia displaying their disrespectful, despicable, and unintelligible “hi-there” mantra. Imagine this: someone knocks on your door offering unsolicited services, and instead of a respectful “Good morning, sir/ma’am,” what do you get? A mindless and insincere “hi there.”

It seems the ‘hi-there’ mafia uses this phrase when meeting elders, superiors, or even strangers. It’s thrown around in job applications, professional inquiries, and client outreach, etc., as if it were a badge of courage and a sign of self-importance. But the mistake these individuals make is in believing that the casualness of it is somehow charming or that it displays warmth or friendliness. However, it is quite the contrary as it only demonstrates a lazy mind, disrespect, and most critically, ignorance.

In all honesty, the phrase “hi-there” is not only inappropriate but also insensitive and sounds idiotic, particularly in the professional world, when greeting an elder, or meeting someone for the first time. Simply put, the phrase lacks structure, intention, and elegance. It is the linguistic equivalent of wearing scuba gear to a black-tie event. Moreover, it makes the speaker seem unsure of him/herself, insecure, and weak in social skills.

When someone opens an email with “Hi there,” instead of a respectful “Dear Dr. Smith,” they’re broadcasting that they either don’t care who you are, or worse, they’re afraid to acknowledge your title because of their own discomfort or inferiority. It reeks of personal insecurity disguised as friendliness. And let’s face it and call it what it truly is: inhospitable, mindless communication. It’s the go-to phrase for someone who doesn’t want to or is incapable of putting in the cognitive effort to greet others properly. It screams, “I am too proud to acknowledge you,” or “I don’t believe you deserve or earned what you have,” or “I don’t know how to speak to you with dignity, so I’ll just take the wimp’s way and blurt out the easiest, inane thing I can.” In other words, it is a spineless substitute for confidence, elegance, and respect.

‘Hi-There’ Mafia: The “Self-Entitled” Sect

The most grievous aspect of the “hi-there” greeting is not the words themselves, but the mindset behind them. “Hi there” is a phrase born out of entitlement, as individuals no longer feel they need to earn or show respect for others. It seems this group believes that they are somehow entitled to informality, comfort, and social shortcuts. These individuals also fail to realize or do not care that when refusing to address an individual by name or title, they not only demonstrate ignorance but also display prideful thinking. Their behavior announces to others that “I don’t need to acknowledge your identity, status, or role. My convenience and way of thinking are more important.” However, the funny thing is, they don’t seem to carry that mindset when the script is flipped and they’re the ones being discounted. Significantly, they reflect not only poor etiquette but a lack of ethical grounding, as it is unethical to strip people of their earned identities (e.g., doctor, professor, pastor, sir, ma’am) and then reduce them to generic, vague greetings such as a “hi-there”.

The Unprofessionalism of the ‘Hi There’ Mafia

Let’s not sugarcoat it, when it comes to business, individuals starting an email or any business communication with “Hi there” appear sluggish, thoughtless, unprepared, and unprofessional. However, the ‘hi there’ clan tends to forget that first impressions are meaningful, titles matter, names matter, and your greeting sets the tone for the entire interaction. It tells the story of whether the ‘hi there’ club member is someone to be taken seriously.

 “Hi-there” greetings convey a careless, unrefined, and unintelligent attitude, and are a red flag to the recipient that you lack confidence, are crass, and incapable of critical thinking. Additionally, it says, “I couldn’t be bothered with finding your name,” or worse, “I know it and intentionally avoided using it.” And if you think people don’t notice, think again. Those with class, intelligence, and self-respect absolutely notice, and they judge you for it, silently but decisively.

So What?

We are living in a time when communication has become despicably abysmal – void of thought, devoid of sincerity, and lacking even the most basic respect. Once upon a time, we valued poise and professionalism. However, what is currently before us is the rise of ill-informed individuals who barge into your inbox or your front door and mumble a senseless, weak “hi there”, as if it qualifies as a greeting, when it absolutely does not; instead, it is a masquerading charm. The ‘hi there’ mafia alludes to social erosion, one that stinks of entitlement, questionable professionalism, and intellectual laziness.

We need to stop pretending the ‘hi-there’ clan and their “hi-there” mantra are harmless. It is not! This blatant disregard for proper etiquette signals one thing: a society that no longer knows how to show respect for others. Titles, honorifics, and formal greetings exist for a reason: they affirm identity, achievement, age, status, and earned respect. To ignore them is not modern or efficient. It is a deliberate act of disrespect, and worse, a symptom of a culture that celebrates self-importance and lacks discipline.

Understand this: Respect is not a suggestion. It is not a gratuity reserved for your peers, people you like, or your preferences. It is a standard held in the highest regard by the tactful and a requirement maintained by the sophisticated. When a person has earned a title—such as Doctor, Professor, Pastor, Mr., Mrs., or Ms.—it is not optional to use it. You are not being casual by omitting it. You are dismissive, haughty, and small. If your pride or insecurity prevents you from addressing someone properly, you show that you are irrational, rude, and intellectually underdeveloped.

Manners are not fluid, nor negotiable; instead, they are the very structure that separates the civilized from the selfish. When using proper greetings feels like too much effort, then perhaps it’s time to admit that as a member of the ‘hi-there’ mafia, it is never about genuinely connecting with others as far as you are concerned, you’re trying to control.

What We Must Return To

Fortunately, there is a better way to speak to others, and it can be learned and practiced regardless of your age. It isn’t hard. It is as simple as:

• “Good morning, Dr. Jones.”
• “Good evening, Mrs. Bridges.”
• “How are you today, sir?”
• “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Smith.”
• “God bless you, Pastor Price.”

Such greetings are not relics of the olden times; instead, they are tools of civility. They reflect humility, responsiveness, integrity, and strength. When you use someone’s title, you’re not just acknowledging them—you’re defining your character and showing who you truly are: a person of principle and intelligence.