<i>&gt;The degree to which people in cars notice me, recognize me and feel not only free but compelled to speak to me is downright creepy.</i><p>If you are in a public location they have every right to attempt to speak to you. Likewise, you have every right to ignore them. At that point - they&#x27;re being dicks if they do this - but they have the right to continue to try and speak to you. I believe there is a legal extent where this can be deemed harassment but until that point - they have the right to speak to you. I think the legal point is you explicitly telling them to leave you alone, at which point you can contact authorities. Acting uninterested or ignoring them is an implicit message but is not enough, AFAIK. (IANAL)<p><i>&gt;This is bizarre and noteworthy behavior in the U.S.</i><p>You answered why people feel compelled to speak to you and I&#x27;m sure you&#x27;re aware of this. You follow a bizarre behavior. Want to be ignored? Don&#x27;t stand out. People who stand out get noticed.<p>Also, legitimate question, how do you expect people to make new friends? Let&#x27;s go under the following assumptions:<p><pre><code>  1) Nobody has a goddamn right to speak to you.

  2) Likewise, you have no goddamn right to speak to anyone else
</code></pre>
You can see how that would be problematic for meeting new people and doesn&#x27;t really jive with most humans (and most cultures) being social?<p>I&#x27;m all for being anti-social and wanting people to leave you alone, especially if you&#x27;re doing lawful-even-if-bizarre behavior. But to have an expectation that in a social culture in a public place that people will leave you alone seems a little out of touch.