A little about my personality and why I'm like this-- I'm an introverted, socially anxious person and going to work and dealing with coworkers alone is enough to completely exhaust me. I have a couple of close friends I talk to at least once a week, and I live with my boyfriend, but other than that, socializing, especially with acquaintances, makes me anxious and tired. I find more peace and happiness being alone than I do having a million casual friends. I also really hate the whole small talk thing.   


We live in close proximity to 3 other neighbors, in a duplex facing another duplex-- the other building is maybe 30 feet across from ours. Our neighbors are fine. The people next to us and catty-corner to us pretty much keep to themselves, work a lot, and I don't really see them much. The people directly across from us are more visible and more extroverted. They're two brothers, and I often run into them (usually at least once a day) when I go out to my car.  


I generally avoid talking to them. Maybe a 'hi, how are you?' on occasion, but I always move on as quickly as possible, don't really share anything personal, and do it while actively going inside. Most of the time, I wear headphones and don't interact with them at all.   


My boyfriend, on the other hand, is very friendly and always says hi. He seems to think I'm being cold and unfriendly towards them and it makes me feel bad. I wonder if I'm being an asshole/am in the wrong for not trying to have an acquaintance/neighborly relationship with them. I don't want my neighbors to hate me or to think I don't like them in particular or something, I just don't enjoy small talk and I don't want to feel obligated to make it every time I go to my car.   


I know my preferences for being left alone aren't the norm, especially being a mid-twenties female, as I'm expected to always be smiley and warm and welcoming, so I want to know from more "normal" people-- would you find my behavior rude? 