In the last few months, I've been on the west coast, the mountain states, the midwest, etc. I've gone for many runs in all these locations and in general it's common for runners (or even bikers and walkers) to acknowledge you, either nod, smile, say hi, etc.
At the very minimum people nod, but it's not uncommon for a smile, a wave, etc. The only exception is places that are very crowded but I don't run in those places very often.
Anyway, here I am in Boston. I go for a run along the Charles and do my usual nod/smile, etc. at the runners that go by (or even walkers/bikers). There actually aren't that many people running out on the Charles so you don't pass people with that much frequency. But.. almost NO ONE gives any sign of acknowledgement, no nod, nothing.
The only person who said anything ("good morning") turned out to be a Californian who was just visiting Boston.
What gives? This is so weird. I thought it was like the runner's creed to give some acknowledgement (except in really crowded places, but like I said, I rarely run in those types of places and the Charles River is not crowded at all). Somehow Boston seems to have missed the memo.
P.S. They don't lie about Boston drivers...