Whenever I accidentally bump into someone or try to pass someone on the sidewalk, (definitely a New York thing), I say, “Excuse me,” and people turn to me, as if I want to talk to them or have a request.

The proper term used in England in this situation is “Pardon” so I am always surprised when people turn to look at me when I say “Excuse me,” as if they are thinking, “Did that woman want something.”

Paul Berger, a self-described Englishman In New York, seems somewhat surprised by, as he calls it, The Greeting:I have spent the past month doing research work in the city. It’s the longest I have spent in an office environment since…

Re: the greeting – try some highbred version like “Fine-you?”, or you could just stop them with “hold on a minute now, sloooow down… what’s your name?”