Greeting

Most animals, wild or mild, And birds, too, tend to Recognize you After a few encounters. The dog is an excellent example. It gets chummy Invariably after a first meeting. Even an ‘unreclaimed’ cat, Suspicious by nature, May try to be friendly with you, Unless otherwise you are positively hostile. But some animals, fortunately very few, Show no signs of recognition whatever. The donkey is an egregious example. Will not care to greet anyone, Not even its master, Though it has lived with him for life. Not so much as a look, No sign or gesture—of familiarity. Some humans behave so, Like total strangers, Even though greeting happens to be A key communicative function— In a civilized society. Could you explain the deviance? ***