A common greeting in some tribal areas in Africa is "I see you."

[MineralMan]

It's a greeting that is far more significant than most people recognize. Here in the United States, we often fail to "see" others. When you say, "I see you," you are saying far more than "Hi," or "Hello." You are saying that you recognize the existence of someone other than yourself. By "seeing" someone, you acknowledge that person's presence without any judgment at all.

I would like it very much if we started "seeing" the people we encounter and letting them know they have been "seen." Seeing is not the same as "looking at." It implies recognition. When you begin "seeing" the people around you, it is much harder to hate them or fear them.

That is why the makers of the film "Avatar" incorporated that greeting into the language of the people of Pandora.

[SticksnStones]

1. Namaste

The spirit in me sees the spirit in you ~

[MineralMan]

2. There you go!

I suspect it's a more common greeting in many languages than we actually realize.

[SticksnStones]

3. That's probably true!

And I really like the tone and where you went with this post ~

[bunnies]

4. That would creep me right the fuck out.

I can't say exactly what my response would be if some strange guy said "I see you" to me out of nowhere. But I guarantee that he'd get stone-cold silence and I'd have pepper spray at the ready.

[MineralMan]

5. That's really unfortunate.

Makes me sad, really. However, it's not a common greeting in this country, so you're unlikely to encounter that fearsome situation. More's the pity.

[bunnies]

7. I lived for years dealing with a stalker who would send me notes with similar phrasing.

I'm sure that has something to do with how I perceive such statements these days.

[MineralMan]

8. Hmm. I'm sorry about that. However, "I see you" is not the same as

"I am watching you." Very different intent.

[MineralMan]

6. The response to "I see you" is "I am here" in those languages.

I'm learning a little Hmong, since about a third of my block's homes are owned by Hmong families. The standard greeting in the Hmong language translates literally to "Live well." If you ask how someone is, the Hmong phrase translates to "How do you live?" The polite response translates to, "I live well, and you?"

English is not so different. "Hello" is really just a shortened version of "Hail to you." Most people don't know that, but our standard greeting is also a recognition and acceptance of another.

[Bayard]

9. Interesting

I thought it was original to Avatar. That's how I greet all my animals in the morning when I go out to feed. Love that movie. I agree, it conveys so much more than a simple hello, but don't see it gaining ground with the general populace here. We are so superficial.

[Blue_Tires]

10. Hmmm... Interesting...