Psycho-Babble Social Thread 13413

Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

The Kindness of Strangers

Posted by Gracie2 on November 3, 2001, at 19:23:09


I was sitting on the bench outside the pharmacy when a woman walked towards me - she was maybe about 60 - and she was looking at me so intently that I thought something was wrong, like I was bleeding or something.
She walked up and said, "You have the most beautiful head of hair!"
I really was shocked. Usually when a stranger says something to me it's like, "Move your car, lady, before I have it towed."
I mean, what a really nice thing to do, she made my whole afternoon. Usually I'm so caught up in my own troubles that I barely notice other people. I think I'll try to do the same thing every once in awhile, I could say, "I love your jacket" or something like that without it killing me.
-Gracie
On second thought, in Silence of the Lambs, didn't Hannibal Lector say that to the senator at the airport?
Or maybe it was "Love your suit".

 

Re: The Kindness of Strangers

Posted by Cass on November 3, 2001, at 19:34:49

In reply to The Kindness of Strangers, posted by Gracie2 on November 3, 2001, at 19:23:09

That's funny because I've had people give me those really intense looks too, and I've learned to make eye contact with them when they do because sometimes they say the nicest things.

 

Re: The Kindness of Strangers » Gracie2

Posted by paula on November 3, 2001, at 19:59:20

In reply to The Kindness of Strangers, posted by Gracie2 on November 3, 2001, at 19:23:09

That's so great! Recently I've started complimenting strangers on little things--or simply making idle little comments/conversation. It's a great way to "practice" being social with folks you never have to see again. Plus, it never hurts to get some good positive energy goin'.

>
> I was sitting on the bench outside the pharmacy when a woman walked towards me - she was maybe about 60 - and she was looking at me so intently that I thought something was wrong, like I was bleeding or something.
> She walked up and said, "You have the most beautiful head of hair!"
> I really was shocked. Usually when a stranger says something to me it's like, "Move your car, lady, before I have it towed."
> I mean, what a really nice thing to do, she made my whole afternoon. Usually I'm so caught up in my own troubles that I barely notice other people. I think I'll try to do the same thing every once in awhile, I could say, "I love your jacket" or something like that without it killing me.
> -Gracie
> On second thought, in Silence of the Lambs, didn't Hannibal Lector say that to the senator at the airport?
> Or maybe it was "Love your suit".

 

Re: The Kindness of Strangers

Posted by Mair on November 4, 2001, at 17:00:35

In reply to Re: The Kindness of Strangers » Gracie2, posted by paula on November 3, 2001, at 19:59:20

Maybe it's something about older women. I was standing in a line for a bathroom at a concert and a quite elderly woman looked at me and reached up suddenly as if to touch and said "oh what a beautiful necklace." I think that these encounters are unanticipated is half the treat. I also thought at the time how nice to be so unself-conscious. There are advantages to being elderly.

Mair

 

Re: The Kindness of Strangers

Posted by Kristi on November 4, 2001, at 17:05:56

In reply to Re: The Kindness of Strangers, posted by Mair on November 4, 2001, at 17:00:35


I have to agree. I was at work... and a woman approached me and told me that I was beautiful. I said "thank you".. you know, a little embarrased... and she said "you don't have to thank me, I believe people should be told when someone thinks something nice about someone"... I just thought that was so sweet!
Then again..... I go to the opposite end of the spectrum sometimes. For instance... if someone I know gets a really bad haircut, and they seem unhappy and selfconscience about it..... I'll go up and say "I like you hair"..... just to make her feel OK. Is that wrong?


> Maybe it's something about older women. I was standing in a line for a bathroom at a concert and a quite elderly woman looked at me and reached up suddenly as if to touch and said "oh what a beautiful necklace." I think that these encounters are unanticipated is half the treat. I also thought at the time how nice to be so unself-conscious. There are advantages to being elderly.
>
> Mair

 

Somehow I missed this thread! (nm)

Posted by Willow on November 5, 2001, at 8:46:00

In reply to Re: The Kindness of Strangers, posted by Kristi on November 4, 2001, at 17:05:56


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