Sometimes people who may attend do get offended when a priest they may often see does not acknowledge them. We need to keep something in mind as Catholics: we have no idea of the Mystery which takes place on the Altar, especially during the Consecration. "Thou art a priest forever, avoiding to the Order of Melchizedek:" time and eternity, God and man, and the prayers of the Communion of Saints come together at that moment: one can only imagine the feelings of the priest at that moment...
That aside it always makes me laugh when people get worried about going to Reconciliation. There is no way he's going to remember what you said. He's just not. I remember I was at the end of the line. I had already gone in and I was waiting for someone. A priest I know rather well comes out and says do you need me? I said well no father, thanks. I had just not more then 5 minutes before been in the room, face to face. LOL. I didn't want him to feel bad. But I found it funny.
We have been blessed with a wonderful “new” priest in our parish, recently ordained at the age of 51. He becomes so emotional at the consecration, he often weeps outright. It is so inspiring to witness, I love sitting up front so we can become swept up in the love.
Sadly there are many who complain about the time it takes for him to get through the Mass, as he truly relishes each word and weighs the spiritual significance of each moment. But I find his reverence to be beautiful. Sometimes he will make a self-effacing little joke/apology at the end along the lines of “only 10 minutes over the clock!” Such a shame that word has obviously gotten back to him and makes him have to think about it that way.
I just watch and think “I’ll have what he’s having, please!”