A stranger walked up to me smiling and said "you look like the kind of person I should say hello to"! So we chatted awhile. Her name was Debe and she was very energetic/lively/interesting. Now I have smiled at folks and struck up a conversation in line or selecting the same veggies but I've never been drawn into a conversation like that! Have you?
I have noticed more women smile at me while in the food store. I've been told I look sorta like Ted Turner the billionaire. Although I am married, I never wear a ring. (I dislike wearing jewelry) Oh, and I am not a billionaire.
Yes, sort of. I make it a point to say nice things to people I don't know. I like the smile that comes after the initial shock of "what does this guy really want".
You don't ever know the impact a simple, "you look nice today" can have on somebody's day.
Yes.
I remember this like it was yesterday and it was 10 years ago at least now. All of a sudden I could not stop feeling intense love for young children. FINALLY. They never did all that much for me and all of a sudden I became aware of just how wonderful kids are. That same week, for no reason, a man came up to me and asked me to sit with his daughter in the Barnes & Noble while he went to the rest room. That same week a man who was terribly crippled up, approached me out of the blue and asked me to stand by his car and make sure his kids were safe while he hobbled up to a currency exchange to cash some check. Then I was asked to volunteer as a Sunday School Teacher. It was kind of magical. All kinds of doors opened through that experience and the best door is how much I totally love and appreciate kids. I never really did before.
So they approach you and speak to you bh or just smile hoping you will make a move? Thank you for your reply and Happy Monday! :) Jim doesn't wear a ring either. He does wear his watch though. I wear two rings when we go out but I remove all jewelry the minute we get home. I don't like wearing anything on my hands or wrists when I'm cooking and I cook a lot! I have a glass swan candy dish, rather small, that my kid gave to me when he was 5. That's where I put my watch and two rings and a chain I wear around my neck with a miniature unicorn, a sparkly heart and a pearl.
I have a true story to share with you m'dear. This was years ago. In a supermarket. I saw a woman who was so beautifully dressed. A gorgeous blouse especially caught my eye. I dress very casually but I do admire those who are "well turned out" so to speak. I approached her and said "what a lovely blouse. It is so becoming to you". Her reaction was quite unexpected. She teared up and told me that day was going to be her first day of chemo and she wanted to look nice. Well of course then I teared up and we hugged. She thanked me for telling her that she looked so lovely. She said that made her feel better. So you never know when a kind word to a stranger will make his/her day. This was maybe 20 years ago. I still remember what she wore, what she looked like and that hug. You are definitely
my kinda person m'dear! Thank you for your reply NHP! :) ((hugs)) That's for being a kind and caring person! :)
Thanx gc
.
That is awesome Sharonna!
Thank you for sharing that with us. A memorable set of circumstances that has enhanced your life and made it all the richer! :)
Of course.
:):):)
I saw a woman behind me in a grocery store line check me out up and down then smiled at me.
Give her a break RD...she is Rosie.
She checked you out? Was she cute? Thank you for your reply Ele! :)
((hugs)) :):):) Thanks Ele! 
Never Rosie. But then I don't look like 'the kind of person (anyone) should say 'hello' to'. :)
You don't? Why? You mean if we crossed paths in a market I would never think to approach you? Do you scowl? Do you never smile at strangers? I always smile at everyone MrWitch and I've been rewarded for that by some very splendid conversations from complete strangers. We only meet once but we hug as we leave each other. I'm not kidding! There are so many nifty people out there just waiting for someone to smile at them . Thank you for your reply m'dear! I'd feel so bad if I smiled at you and you just passed
by with smiling back! :)
I think that's rather sweet Rosie, but we are as life has made us. I'm a very difficult person to get to know and carry an aura of 'leave me alone'. It's not deliberate, at least not anymore, but has become my default setting - a bit more than a habit.
If someone I didn't know smiled at me I would be in mild shock, but simple politeness would dictate that I don't simply ignore it. People do approach when I'm out with the dogs, but I also observe people who think they might like to, but swerve when they notice I'm holding the leads. :) I'm saved from a life of 'swerves' by the wife, who carries an aura of being approachable, friendly and sociable and provides a balance to my eremitic nature.
That is really surprising MrWitch. From the very first time we chatted many years ago on Answerbag I found you to be always thoughtful, knowledgeable, polite and approachable! I'm not kidding you! There was never a time when that hasn't been true. Now I am the exact same person in real life as I am here. But you aren't or are you different with other people on an internet social site? I know people bring out different things in us. I like to spend time with people who bring out the best in me and I frantically avoid spending any time at all with those who bring out the worst in me. There is a worst which I do not enjoy so I try to keep her hidden. The best way to do that is to not get her infuriated. So I guess I have to digest what you just said. It will take some getting used to m'dear . Different strokes. Now Jim is the social one and he is always up for socializing. He goes to the clubhouse in our re tirement community for breakfasts and plays golf weekly and shows up for holiday celebrations. I NEVER do. I prefer being at home than being among strangers. I always have been that way. He totally understands that and has never made me feel lacking or inadequate. At a large gathering if I'm obligated to be there I do not leave his side. If I'm alone I am always by the nearest exit. I was a painfully shy child and I still have those tendencies. Okay. I guess I told you what you might already know about
me. People are like onions aren't they? Layer after layer after layer is peeled away and eventually you get to the core! Thank you for your thoughtful answer m'dear! :)
The onion thing is pretty much accurate Rosie. What started as a defence mechanism many decades ago when I needed it is now fairly useless - I no longer need any defence, but the outward 'me' is sort of stuck like it. :)
I don't mind in the slightest. I've never been gregarious and have never felt a need to socialise but am perfectly friendly once people realise I'm not an ogre. :)
Me too neither MrWitch. Gregarious I'm not in real life. Now I always smile at strangers and strike up conversations with likely prospects at the market . But I CHOOSE whom/when/where. I am a Foodie so a market is a comfortable place for me to be. I am always so happy surrounded by food. I can feel lousy and if I go to the market I always perk up so maybe I am my best self there. I never thought of that but maybe that's true. Insight, no matter how
late it comes, is always useful! :)
I've given this a little more thought Rosie and have come to the conclusion that it's down to body language. I think I may have hinted at this earlier but I was not specific (because I hadn't thought about it for more than a few minutes).
My body language is very off putting for many. Unfortunately, I can and often do appear more than a little threatening and misanthropic and that naturally has an effect on how others react to me.
Online I don't have to overcome that and can avoid the pitfalls of 'first impressions' based solely on visuals. Once again you've given me pause for thought and something I've traditionally accepted is now a little more clear. :)
