Saying salam.

[Shahi]

Assalamu Alaikum warahmathullah.
Telling salam is the way of muslims who see a known or either unknown brother/sister to spread peace on earth and way of sunnah.
I can see between family members it is common to say salam. But when a strange man meeting a women or unknown or even a nonmahram man meets a known but ajnabi women they say salam.
In classrooms and workplaces it is common to see here ,and the other person also reply to the person who tells salam.

But recently I saw a (should be muslim) man seeing at me when I pass him he greet me with salam. But I didn't reply or did'nt show any reply. I am not arrogant , but I have a fear about becoming a fitna ( they can be, easily ,attracted by my appearance and character)

Brothers and sisters I like to know the ruling of Islam on this topic.

[AabiruSabeel]

Please see http://seekershub.org/ans-blog/2009/...reeting-salam/

It says:

A young un-related woman and a man do not have to reply to the other’s salams out loud (many scholars say they actually shouldn’t salam in the first place if they are only addressing each other without necessity, as a way to prevent unnecessary interaction).