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No, it is not a rule it is a courtesy, which means you are being polite by doing something you don't need to do. It can be likened to doing them a favor.
In response to the opening question, despite this being a ridiculous thread: I would always say "Good Morning" when walking in to the office, even when I didn't mean it at all, just to validate that they were breathing sacks of meat. When I said it, I also didn't expect anyone to say it in return, it's just a courtesy. To get upset because someone doesn't respond is being desperate for attention or validation. It's normal to get upset at someone who blows you off every chance they get while pretending to be your friend, I hate liars too, but getting upset at someone who once does not say "Good Morning" back is ridiculous. Lastly, we are all our own individuals, and as such shouldn't expect anyone other than us to respond in our specific way of choosing.
I agree with the bolded but then I am not sure how you likened it to doing them a favor. When doing favors, don't you expect something in return?
I think it is common (in other words pretty rare sometimes) courtesy to reply in kind but I admit to being silly at work. We had a rather grouchy guy who'd often just grunt when told 'good morning' - unless the person was higher up the employee food chain. He wasn't always grunty but if he grunted at me I'd walk back to his office, stand in the doorway and repeat myself (maybe 'annoying' is more the word to describe me ). Sometimes I'd answer myself too "Mornin' Jacq, how YOU doin?" Once I told someone 'ah shut up' when they wished me good morning...luckily they knew my weird sense of humor and could have a giggle about it.
Yes, it's a courtesy but nothing to get one's panties in a twist about, IMO.
Funny because I grew up somewhere where you always responded back. Never once did I see people just blatantly ignore (that was Minnesota). My MIL and I both have noted some people now on the west coast will just ignore you. To ignore someone is outright rude but I also realize sometimes I need to tone down my nearly sickening happy happy morning self.
it's also rude to expect somebody to answer back , maybe they dont want to talk to you?
especially small town people that act like they know everybody, I once stopped at a gas station in a small rural town to get some gas and they asked why Im here? and what Im doing ? I just said Im passing through and didnt explain why I was there and he took it as an insult and he got mad about it, even though it's none of his business, some people dont like being talked to like your their friend, when your a stranger
In many larger cities, people do not interact with a good morning, etc. They are very standoffish, and are not used to having to answer every good morning.
In small towns in many parts of the US, people say good morning and mean it or answer back to everyone. It really depends on the part of the country you are living in, to expect or not expect everyone to answer back with a good morning.
That you had to respond with so many insults, all in the sames sentence, to people who don't conform to your expectations was proof of your tantrum.
Simply expressing what I would internally and passingly feel at my polite greeting being ignored is not evidence of a tantrum which is defined as, "an uncontrolled outburst of anger and frustration, typically in a young child". Neither was my choice of adjectives "insulting" since none were leveled at you personally in context. Obviously if the shoe fits ... Generally speaking, it's usually best not to use words whose meaning you don't understand.
Common courtesy is something I find optional, and this wasn't a response to to the opening question, it was a response to your tantrum.
I'm so sorry you were raised so poorly as to consider common courtesy as "optional". This is another phrase which you should maybe look up to see what it means.
I wouldn't know, you tell me.
I'm afraid I can't tell you as I tend not to wallow in pessimism but find getting through every day is so much easier working with positive energy and optimism. Oh and by the way, Good Morning!
Gift is probably a more appropriate word for what I ment, favor is just the best word that I thought of at that moment.
I was thinking that expecting somebody to say "Good morning," in return is similar to somebody expecting to get what they want just because they say "please!"
Just because it is a "Good Morning" for you does not mean it is the same for me.
Which is a good example of how such greetings came about historically and are apparently being misinterpreted by several. When you wish someone a Good Morning/Day/Afternoon/Evening/Night, the person extending that greeting to you is wishing you the best. I'm at a loss to understand how someone wishing you well would be viewed as an irritant.
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). Sometimes I'd answer myself too "Mornin' Jacq, how YOU doin?" Once I told someone 'ah shut up' when they wished me good morning...luckily they knew my weird sense of humor and could have a giggle about it. 
