My lot in life

So, people like talking to me. And by people, I mean strangers. If there’s an awkward, random and/or unsolicited conversation to be had out there, it will be struck up with me. And I’m not the initiator.

After 36 years of life, I’ve learned to accept this phenomenon, but it’s always alarming to new people in my life. I’ve always wondered what it is about me that invites strangers to approach me. Do I look nice? Do I look lonely? I don’t make excessive eye contact in hopes of quashing moments like these. But even after all this soul searching and wondering, I still thought maybe I somehow give the subliminal green light to these interactions.

Today, my coworker exonerated me of all personal responsibility for people suddenly verbally expressing themselves to me. I trust his opinion because he is a no-nonsense kind of guy. He’s very direct and is adamant about his personal space. You get on the bus with him, he will tell you, “I don’t talk on the bus,” and return to his book or headphones without a tinge of guilt. With his directness comes honesty, and on occasion has told me I am too nice or has pointed out other personality quirks, so I know he means what he says.

So, when he told me that he has no idea why strange people like talking to me so much (but that they certainly DO talk to me), I felt relieved. He’s witnessed it in action, and can see no clear reason why it happens, nor any sign from me inviting it to happen.

So, if I’m not egging people to talk to me, what can it be? I am really curious about this. Am I more in touch with people? Do I look friendly? Do I look like a sucker? Am I overly approachable? I don’t think I am any more so than anyone else. Am I cursed? Help! Because the one thing I know is, once the conversations start, it’s hard for me to just turn away, no matter how much I’d like to.

It’s just weird.

October 19, 2007. Uncategorized. 7 Comments.

7 Comments

  1. LD replied:

    You have goodlisteneritus….there’s no cure, sorry.

    Unless you wanna take Strangerignoradryl, twice daily, that might work, or one dose of Aloofe which you can get over the counter.

    October 21st, 2007 at 10:45 am. Permalink.

  2. Collene replied:

    hahahhahaa! LD, that is hysterically sound advice. Thanks! Now, does that come in a non-drowsy formula?

    October 21st, 2007 at 12:15 pm. Permalink.

  3. MJ replied:

    Consider getting a skull tattooed on your face with the word “you” written underneath. It worked for my mom.

    October 22nd, 2007 at 10:13 am. Permalink.

  4. Elana replied:

    Maybe it’s because they know you are a good hugger ;)

    October 23rd, 2007 at 1:47 pm. Permalink.

  5. Elana replied:

    Emoticons are starting to bug me because I can’t seem to stop them from appearing in my e-mails. I know I am responsible for them being there, but I can’t stop myself!…and nothing bugs me more than the emoticon that appears like a yellow smiley face (see comment above), when I have cleary written a parenthesis and a semi-colon…but I digress.

    October 23rd, 2007 at 1:52 pm. Permalink.

  6. kp replied:

    two words…

    doe eyes

    October 23rd, 2007 at 6:18 pm. Permalink.

  7. the little one replied:

    That must be why I liked you right away — I’m one of the STRANGE ones! Ah, it is all making sense to me now.

    October 23rd, 2007 at 10:05 pm. Permalink.

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