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Q: Are people calling out 'hallo' less?
Seems to be the case, and I hope it is; a person saying 'hello' is a friendly thing, which is why I always feel guilty that when someone barks it at me in the street, my usual reaction is to want to smack them. But it does seem to be occurring less and less, which is not to say i'm finding people less friendly, but simply that people seem to be realizing that saying' hallo' and then laughing uproarously is actually kind of twattish.
It is actually increasing in Beijing now. With the weather warming, more people are drinking outdoors, so they do this practice more. Say a long sarcastic sounding "halloooooooo" and then giggle like little girls.
My girlfriend gets very angry, and I have actually had to tell her to ignore them.
Mr_spoon:
That "hallooooOOOO" where the voice climbs to a higher pitch during the o's. God...
I am actually finding it more and more. My tolerance is getting less and less.
Nope, for me it has been increasing. When I was out shopping and at the park Sunday, I heard it 3 times in just a short couple hours! It drives me insane.
The two times I heard it the most was when I first moved to China, and right after the students returned for the second semester. It's interesting that only guys do that, regardless of the gender of the foreigner they are calling to.
For me it's constant. It is of course different from day to day, some days can be many many times and other days not at all, especially days where I stay home it usually only happens in case the phone rings.
I feel is a bit less, but still it is here around. The best is, when they say hello just right after they pass you 
Mostly, it doesn't bother me. I just say ni hao in return.
Kaiwen:
I used to do the same but now it is getting monotonous. My apartment is about ten minutes' walk from my office. I have to run the gauntlet twice a day. I would have hoped they could grow out of it but apparently not.
Traveler:
I agree, it can be monotonous, but I think of it this way. They are less educated than we are, and this whole "outside world" concept is still a novelty to them. More and more villagers are still flocking to the cities, and I think it is generally these villagers that do it.. Foreigners are still new to the villagers.
It is very childish, but in many ways, they are very childlike people. They don't have the same worldview that we have, nor the same social skills, so I make allowances for it.
Now spitting, that's one I have never really gotten used to.
I've been here for too long and I actually still like an occasional hello. It's better than when people whisper "foreigner!" in Chinese, while wearing a vague look of disgust.
GuilinRaf:
We are not talking of freindly greetings.
This is a very sarcastic sounding "hallooo" oftentimes delivered my groups of men or boys who then, regardless of whether you answer or not, break down in peals of girly giggling.
in a couple of months, you too will hate it.
Yesterday a young boy said "What's up" as he passed me, completely casual as he was walking towards the local school.
I want to make a t-shirt that reads
"Hello is not free"
"Hello 不是免费的“
NO, I don't think so. I feel it is on increasing way again. Only yesterday 2 totally unknown people bypass and "cheloooou"
I still get it all the time, especially from the motorcycle taxis outside the supermarket.... even from shoppers inside the supermarket. If they do get a response, it is just a half second glare. I know they find it amusing themselves, but they probably wouldnt if they how much contempt it makes us have for them.
