Me and my wife go hiking everyday through the metroparks.
My wife suffers from anxiety and has a moment of panic whenever we cross someone else on the path.
It *is* and awkward situation. You kind of look at each other and there is an expectation of having to say "hi" or "hello" and it all feels very forced you know?
To try and help her relax I made a game out of it and instead of simply walking by and saying "hello" I always shout out my best Obi-Wan "HELLO THERE!". She thinks the entire thing is ridiculous and laughs and doesn't get so nervous.

After a while she told me that if anyone ever responded with "GENERAL KENOBI" she would buy me lunch.
Tomorrow she is buying me sushi :D