Why say "Hello"?

[Moros]

I enjoy being in large crowds. Its almost like being alone. You can lose yourself surrounded by strangers. The anonymity of irrelevance.

Oh yes. That's what I always do in big cities. Getting lost in the crowd like a drop of water in the rain. I like the feeling. But then again even looking at a tree dancing in the wind can make me smile. Or rain, everybody always search for shelters. While, I'll just enjoy it.

I always say hello or nod when I cross somebody unless there are to many people to say hello too.

[Aenlic]

Perhaps the ability of a culture to greet and welcome strangers should be considered a sign of civilization.

In spite of what the dictionary says about the origins of the word hello, I think it actually descends from the Latin spoken greeting of Salve, or be in good health, along with the written greeting of salutem.

[L'Impresario]

In spite of what the dictionary says about the origins of the word hello, I think it actually descends from the Latin spoken greeting of Salve, or be in good health, along with the written greeting of salutem.

Most etymological dictionaries (if not all;)) don't agree with such a notion, but the concept of wishing the recipient of the greeting "good health" or something equivalent -or inquiring about his health- passed on in English through "salute".
Many languages use similar greetings: salut (French/ Romanian + Catalan toast), ní hǎo (Mandarin), geia (Greek) etc.

The Latin greeting ave is also related to health.

[Aenlic]

Most etymological dictionaries (if not all;)) don't agree with such a notion, but the concept of wishing the recipient of the greeting "good health" or something equivalent -or inquiring about his health- passed on in English through "salute".
Many languages use similar greetings: salut (French/ Romanian + Catalan toast), ní hǎo (Mandarin), geia (Greek) etc.

The Latin greeting ave is also related to health.

Exactly my point. Ave Maria is translated as Hail, Mary. And yet etymologists insist that hail derives from the Middle English heilen which in turn comes from the Old English hæil, which means - oddly enough - good health!

Clearly, at least to me, hæil and salve/ave all have the same Indo-European root. Yet no mention is given in the etymology of hail or hello of the Latin greeting.

[L'Impresario]

Yes, in German esp., heil retains the same meaning and from since many hundred years.
But even if looking or sounding the same, a word related to another does not make;)
(hello and kailo~ derived words I mean)

Clearly, at least to me, hæil and salve/ave all have the same Indo-European root. Yet no mention is given in the etymology of hail or hello of the Latin greeting.

The IE root for hæil (and by extension hail) is kailo~, while for hello the dominant theory is that it's a version of the 16th cent. interjection holla (halt, stop) and its father is the Latin illac.

[Moros]

Hmm heil also exist in dutch but then it means something along the lines of something that saves something/somebody. (Can't find the proper English word.)

[L'Impresario]

Dutch is a germanic language, what did you expect ;)
If you mean something close to "saviour", then it's due to the Old Norse helge (sacred) branch of the IE root kailo~, which lead to halig, hailig, heilig etc.

[Byzantine Prince]

I have a problem saying hello to anyone, even people I know. I don't know why, it just seems too automatic(which makes it meaningless). If I don't have a need to say anything I won't say it.