hi
11 months ago
hi
How to talk to one new person every day
It made me
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"It's ongoing, and sometimes you just have to smile at a person, rather than have a full conversation."
How I did it: I went to coffee shops, took more public transportation, stuck around after church more, struck up conversation at my classes with others, went to events I read about in the paper, and periodicals, and had a job where I worked at a bookstore and coffee shop.
Lessons & tips: You ALWAYS have something in common with people, so there's always something to talk about. If that advice fails, then turn to the weather. It's probably true everywhere, but definitely in New England, that there's something interesting going happening outside at any given minute.
This was a good goal, but I would have put a time frame on it if I was to make it again. I'll keep it in the back of my mind for now.
Smiling is a bonus.
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THIS IS WHAT I'M PAID TO DO!
3 years ago
I work in a call center- so I talk to strangers everyday!
It really makes me a lot more out-going outside of work. May never talk to or see you again, so I might as well be myself!
Hmmmm
3 years ago
This is a hard one since I dont actually see new people with any sort of regularity. The town I live in breeds social ugliness so saying hi to a stranger usually finds me being looked at like Im a murderer and just asked the stranger to hold still while I strangle them.
I have French class tonight so maybe I will try having a convo with someone in the class I have never spoken to.
Day 3
4 years ago
Well, I didn’t really do this the past two days. Unless you count talking to people online, and after thinking about it, I decided that no, it doesn’t count. Only face-to-face talking counts.
So, when I was walking from the bus stop to my office this morning (about 8 blocks) I said hi to a pretty girl. She seemed surprised and didn’t really respond other than looking at me. I might have waited until I was too close to say something.
Then, a half-block later, I said hi to an older man in a wheelchair. He seemed surprised, too, but it felt more like he was just surprised someone noticed him.
Then I flirted with the barista at Starbucks. Turns out she’s actually the store manager, and today is her Friday, although she might have to come in tomorrow.
I’ll hopefully have more stories later today, and of course for the rest of my week.
Problems I’ve noticed are: saying something too close to a person, not giving them time to respond, and feeling odd for interrupting people.
It helps that I’ve been in a good mood lately…
Meeting people
4 years ago
Meeting people is hard for me. So many excuses; that little voice in the back of my head often talks me out of taking a chance, or interrupting people, or tells me that I look like a slob or I’m too old or or or…
I have, in the past, set goals of talking to at least 10 people in a weekend, or 5 people a day… but, really, I should start easy. I’m going to try to talk to one new person a day.
I can make small talk, and that’s all I’m requiring here of myself. I’m not looking for phone numbers, or dates, or life-long deep friendships. Just a simple conversation with someone I’ve never met before.
I’ll report back here in a week, with hopefully at least seven new stories to tell!
