My social kid is constantly ignored

While my daughter sleeps on my lap, I’m ruminating over another day out where my toddler has been a sweet social little kid, and she has been ignored by literally every child in the play area. So I’m posting here to see if other parents have tips on how to not let her little social flame go out.

My partner and I were introverted kids, and grew into introverted adults. So we have been intentional about demonstrating more open behaviours to her, so that she hopefully grows up to be more self-assured than we were.

When we go out to child-centred play places, she will watch kids her age and older for a few moments, then approach them and say hello. And every time, the child will stare back for a few moments and then walk off. Today a girl of about 4 was quite nasty to her. Sometimes I let things play out without intervening, and sometimes I engage positively with the little one and their parent, so that she can see that these things take a bit of work sometimes. She doesn’t seem too bothered by it, but I can’t help but wonder how long before she stops saying hello. Or adopts that way of reacting herself.

I am going to try to plan some regular playdates with other moms to build some familiarity with other kids, especially because she is not in a school yet. But I’m wondering it there’s anything else I haven’t considered doing? I’d really love for a kid to react with the same openness that she has, at least some of the time. And is that just how little ones are at this age, or is my home town unfriendly? Lol. Please send advice or anecdotes!