Yes, You Can Talk to Strangers
“Oh, that’s what I’m looking for!” the voice said. Although we were in front of a rack full of shoes on sale for the holiday, the woman speaking was pointing down at the shoes I was wearing. I laughed and agreed that I love my NAOT sandals and actually own two pairs of the same shoe in different colors. 
Turns out we both have long, very skinny feet with no instep and agreed on how hard it is to find sandals that:
a) fit comfortably, b) stay on, c) look good (shoes are so ugly now!) and d) last forever. (I’ve re-soled mine.)
I told her where she could find them as her friend joined us. Their names were Ruth Ann and Gina and I don’t remember how the next bit of the conversation went, but we discovered that two of us are doing some sewing again. After she gave me a tip for where to buy patterns at a discount, I told her about a new fabric shop I had found in the area.
That led to the discovery that we all live 5 miles apart even though we were about 25 miles away from home. It was an easy, comfortable conversation and we were laughing it up and just enjoying ourselves and I noticed other women nearby listening in, smiling and nodding.
I finally said that I would use this encounter as the basis for a blog and explained that I teach a workshop on retirement. Ruth Ann laughed and said that she was about to retire and was scared to death. We chatted a little about why that is and I explained that fear is not a bad thing in this case. It means she will make the effort to plan ahead. She asked where I taught and I encouraged her to sign up for one of my fall classes when she gets the catalog.
That’s it – nothing earth shattering, but we all three learned something new in the encounter. And we connected as human beings in a public place full of strangers. I love when that happens!
I know that I do this more easily than a lot of folks, but most of the time it starts with just a smile and an easy question like, “Where did you find those shoes?” People are always willing to help someone else and that is an easy way to start a conversation – ask a question.
It won’t always work but when it does, you experience the kind of personal exchanges that are harder and harder to have in this busy world. I see so many people sitting in crowded coffee shops surrounded by others and yet alone. As a single, I have learned the value of connecting with others and I never sit there without speaking to at least one person. I’ve made more than a few friends, heard many interesting stories and learned lots of things that way.
You’re old enough now to know the bad people. It is ok to talk to strangers and you will often be very glad you did.
PS – The shoe is by NAOT and is the Kayla design that is available in a zillion colors. They are sold at better shoe stores like Benjamin Lovell and Nordstrom. I think I’m going to add a red pair to this year’s summer wardrobe…
