Observations, thoughts and other assorted stuff.
Published on November 25, 2006 By Ravenblack In Life Journals
Last night on the bus on the way home from the city, a lady (office-attired, probably in her 40’s) sat down next me. I was playing on my PSP with ear phones on and quite engrossed. She looked over at what I was doing, tapped me on the shoulder and asked me what that was. “Is this a PDA of some sort?” she asked.

I paused the game, took my ear pieces out and told her what it was.

She was very curious, and asked more questions about it. After I explained the functions of the PSP to her, she said she found that all very fascinating but she found herself unable to catch up with all this “new technology”.

The conversation soon moved on to about what we did for a living (she worked for a law firm); then she talked about growing old and hoping that her backbone will not bend like those she saw down at Chinatown); she brought up issues about cancer, chemo and pain (she thinks that people should have the choice to stop living under the pain of cancer if they wanted to); she talked about investment in shares (just sharing her experiences, she wasn’t trying to sell me anything), etc.

Funny thing, we were talking like friends throughout the 1 hour bus trip but without going into specific details about our lives. I even waved goodbye to her after I got off the bus.

We never even exchanged names.

Comments
on Nov 25, 2006
I like blogs like this, Ravenblack. Interesting and comforting.

(And the good writing helps too)
on Nov 25, 2006

Every once in a while I will have moments like this.  You don't ever really get to "know" the person, but you converse like old friends.  I think it is often a reminder just how much good we can do by being kind and friendly to those around us.

Great blog Raven.

on Nov 25, 2006

Cool post!  it's good to read of other people's experiences,  their day to day stuff   and know that this kind of stuff still happens...

Neat!

on Nov 25, 2006
It sounds like you two covered a pretty wide range of topics. Too bad more people can't open up a bit with each other. The world just might be a little friendlier place if they did.
on Nov 25, 2006
It was certainly one of the most pleasant conversations I've had with someone I just met.
on Nov 25, 2006
I am definately one to talk to strangers. Some people just look at you like you're crazy but I like to talk to people in line at the grocery store and in elevators etc. It can be really pleasant to just have a casual conversation with someone even if you don't know their name and you're never going to see them again.
on Nov 25, 2006
Reply #6
I am definately one to talk to strangers. Some people just look at you like you're crazy but I like to talk to people in line at the grocery store and in elevators etc. It can be really pleasant to just have a casual conversation with someone even if you don't know their name and you're never going to see them again.


I am one of those people. I can and do strike up a conversation with anyone anywhere. Comes with my job I guess. I don't run into too many people who give me that look though. Maybe I just come across as likable.

Or (more likely) maybe they're afraid to insult me.
on Nov 26, 2006
I too am a person who can talk to anyone. I think a lot of people find it odd because they're so self-absorbed. IMO, if we took the time to say g'day to at least one person we don't know every day, as Mason said, the world might be a little friendlier all round.
on Nov 27, 2006
People are guarded. I know I am. But if someone talks to me, I don't mind at all. I tend not to be the conversation starter in any kind of setting though.