Do you talk to strangers?

[frugal-one]

I always start conversations with folks and learn the most interesting things! Today while at the bulk bin at the grocery store I asked the woman what she planned on making with the craisins she was buying. Sconuts! Never heard of them but you can be assured I will be trying them soon. She said she does not like oats and makes these up for breakfasts on the go. She also freezes them.

What are some of the things you have gleaned from others just by starting a conversation?

Here is a recipe I found on line. I am having a friend over later in the week and will make them in my new (to me) donut pan. Should be fun!

Here is a delicious recipe for Oatmeal Sconuts that makes 13 sconuts. This is one smart mom’s combination of scones and donuts all wrapped up in one good-for-you whole-grain breakfast treat. Even if your kids don’t like oatmeal, they’ll love it this way. If there are any leftovers, pop them into freezer-weight plastic bags and freeze for up to a month.

Ingredients
2 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), cut up
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
Cinnamon sugar

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. In a food processor, combine oats, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg; pulse to blend.
3. Add butter; pulse until coarse crumbs form.
4. In a cup, beat buttermilk and egg. With the food processor running, add egg mixture and pulse until a dough forms.
5. Scoop dough by ¼ cups onto cookie sheet. Flatten each mound into a 2½-inch round. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
6. Bake 15 to 17 minutes or until golden on bottoms.

Nutrient Analysis: Per muffin – 235 calories; 9 g. total fat (5 g. sat. fat); 34 g. carbohydrate, 5 g. protein; 2 g. fiber; 37 mg. cholesterol; 315 mg. sodium.

[kally]

all the time. That is why I know so many people.

[treehugger]

It totally depends on my mood. Sometimes I feel more introverted than others. But, when I am feeling extroverted, I definitely enjoy those little moments of connection with strangers while out and about. I think it can make waiting in lines much more pleasant.

I have had more conversations with strangers when I am walking my dogs than any other time. They make quite an impression (rescued racing greyhounds) and walks so often turn into instant meet & greets, which is fun (unless I am in a hurry!).

Kara

[Mighty Frugal]

Only if they offer me candy..

[Float On]

I've been known to jump into a conversation. Like the other day a bunch of us were trying to fill our cups at Arby's and some ladies were talking about needing new tires and I jumped in and suggested my favorite local tire place. Living in a tourist town I point people in the right direction a lot.
None of these things have turned into a friendship or anything but I try to make a point to make eye-contact and smile to people.

[loosechickens]

Of course.....and since my sweetie never MET a stranger, we've had some interesting encounters....once, while passing through a town in Oregon, he went to the post office, where while standing in line, he started to talk to this man, who invited us to come to his house for supper........we went, met his wife, and have kept in touch with and met them at various places in the southwest in the winter, when they travel south to get out of the coastal Oregon winter......once we were driving down a road in the desert and saw a guy riding a bicycle, and it was this guy......they'd just arrived and hadn't yet checked where we were.....so we brought HIM home for supper.......

oh, the stories I could tell.......nope, no strangers here, just friends my husband hasn't met yet.......

[catherine]

LC, sounds like my DH... everyone just likes him on contact, and he likes them and it's amazing what they will tell him just in a brief impromptu conversation. One time, we started out asking a woman who was leaving Home Depot if she was going to be using her cart, and 15 minutes later, she and DH are crying and hugging. Of course, I wasn't unfriendly--I certainly contributed, but I just ride on his coattails when it comes to encounters with strangers. It's really one of his most endearing characteristics-and it works out well because I'm definitely introverted and shy. Hanging around him has drawn me out of my shell and now I'm much more comfortable being friendly, too!

[Mrs-M]

I do, but I usually reserve a short window for myself to access and gauge the stranger first, watching their every movement (body language) closely, before moving ahead and proceeding with the next step of countering/engaging.

Major turn-off for me, when a person (stranger) avoids eye contact, that, and when they keep nattering away in spurts and broken sentences, jumping from one thing to another while displaying no care or thought as to my reaction related to their rambling. No thanks.

P.S. Thank you for the recipe, Frugal-one!

[JaneV2.0]

I hardly talk to people I know. My beloved, on the other hand...

They say you always marry your mother, and I can see how that works.

[goldensmom]

If I find one, I live in a small community. Seriously, yes I do almost always unless they avoid me.

[mira]

It totally depends on my mood. Sometimes I feel more introverted than others. But, when I am feeling extroverted, I definitely enjoy those little moments of connection with strangers while out and about. I think it can make waiting in lines much more pleasant.

Ditto.

I have an aunt who talks to EVERYONE and is very open and warm all the time. She's so good with people. Part of me wishes I could be like that all the time, but then again I feel I also subscribe to the 'negative politeness' behavioural theory which involves assuming that other people do not want to be infringed upon (although normally I don't mind myself!).

One of my long-term aspirations is to be more open and warm with strangers... making everyday face-to-face interactions more 'human', I suppose? Being less inhibited in that sense. It's not like I'm lacking in confidence, so I don't know what it is.

[Gregg]

I'm an introvert by nature. It would not be my choice, but it is what it is. My dad was a master at talking to anyone anywhere. He was one of those guys that just makes everyone feel at ease. It's something I've actually been working very hard at being able to do. For years I would stand in line at the grocery store, for example, and think of compliments I could pay to someone else in line or questions I could ask about what was in their basket (just like frugal-one did), but I usually just stood there waiting my turn. Heck, there were times I went to parties and only talked to the couple people I knew. In the past few years I've started to force myself to be more outgoing. Fortunately it gets a little easier. That, and as I get a little more gray on top I think I'm less threatening so people are more inclined to drop their guard a little bit. I know I will probably never be one of those guys that walks into a store and walks out knowing everyone there, but it is fun to see what you can learn about your fellow humans.

[Charity]

I live in a small community, but it's a historic tourism attraction so there's all sorts of strangers that I talk to. Sometimes I just like to inflict myself into their fun.

We have very long sets of city stairways that go up from Main Street to the streets above. Visitors are fascinated that people actually use them. I was on Main Street a couple of weeks ago and there were a couple of fathers watching the kids while they moms were in shops and they were staring up at one of the stairways. As I was walking by one of the dads yelled to the kids that the first one to the top would get $50. He then quickly added "Just kidding". I said "Thank God because I was just about to start running up them."

I love to talk to stangers in restaurants here as well because they come from all over the place. It's fun to hear about where they live and it's interesting to hear about what made them want to visit our community. When I travel I like to talk to locals as well. It always makes my trip more interesting.

[happy with less]

All the time.... most people are receptive to starting a conversation, about anything or sometimes nothing. Yesterday afternoon I was approaching the entrance to a grocery store where a lady was waiting for her husband to bring round the car so they could load the Christmas feast into it. She said to me as she handed me a warm potato wedge "you look like you need a snack". How did she know? LOL! I was hungry at that point, told her so and then she opened her bag and urged me to have another. By then her husband came with the car and we joked that I was eating their dinner. During our conversation we discovered that we were both going to the same holiday concert in the evening where our grandkids would be performing. Was a special few moments.

I enjoy talking to strangers, even if it's for a couple of moments at a time. I quickly assess the situation to see if a word might be appropriate or not.... like turning to the gal in the checkout lineup last night and saying "somebody's getting a new pillow for Christmas" to which she replied "yeah and he'd better stop complaining so I can get some sleep". That one cracked us both up. :)

[Sissy]

I am actually more apt to talk to a stranger than someone I marginally know. That is because I don't have to remember their kid, grandkids, dogs, remember whens, etc .

Strangers can be very enlightening,tho. Fun.

[dado potato]

I don't talk t'strangers... But I palaver wid friends I ain't met yet.

[ljevtich]

Yes, I talk to strangers. I work as a park ranger, and volunteer in National Parks. I meet strangers every day. I both listen and talk to them, and usually learn something new from every encounter I have. Some good things, some not so good things. But in the circle of life, learning new things and getting to know others is the way I roll. However, I used to be an introvert too. But I got over that once I started public speaking.

[pony mom]

Oh Treehugger, I'd DEFINITELY stop to talk to you. I LOVE greyhounds!!!

As a child I was very shy, especially around strangers. Now, because of my work, (massage therapist, as if most of you didn't know already), I find that I can talk to anyone about anything. Some clients are a bit nervous before a session, so it's easy for me to chat and make them feel at ease. My sense of humor usually helps a lot, as does comiserating about the changes in our aging bodies.

Talking to strangers makes you realize just how small the world is. Turns out that I grew up a few houses away from my boss's childhood home; her parents divorced, she moved away with her dad. I walked to school with her brother and sister--this I found out after working for her for 2 years. A salon client mentioned the town she was from, which was near my old town. I told her I had an aunt and uncle from that town. Turns out, she was best friends with my cousin 40 years ago! I exchanged their phone numbers and they've met and caught up. It seems that there is someone unknown to you who knows someone who knows someone that you know.

Strangers are just people you don't know yet. There is something interesting about everyone and I feel lucky to have met so many fascinating people. Just making a witty comment in passing can cheer someone up.

My mom is one of those people that other people gravitate to. She can just 'run into the store for something' and take forever, talking to strangers.

[redfox]

My mom describes me as never having met a stranger. High extrovert for sure, so, yes, I talk to almost everyone. In fact, one of my favorite social outings is going to the Goodwill! I've become acquainted with the resellers who frequent our GW; in fact I believe they think I am also a reseller as I am there so frequently... Often just hanging out.

[Jemima]

Only if they offer me candy..

My first thought, too. But I won't get into the car. :~)

[treehugger]

Yes, I talk to strangers. I work as a park ranger, and volunteer in National Parks. I meet strangers every day. I both listen and talk to them, and usually learn something new from every encounter I have.

Laura, my family and I visited a National Historic Site (John Muir House) recently, and we had a conversation about how we have never seen a park ranger who wasn't friendly, helpful, and wonderful to talk to. They all seem to thoroughly enjoy their jobs, which is so nice to see.

Kara

[Rogar]

I'm a basic introvert and not one to start up long conversations with strangers, but usually try to offer a few words to any one who looks like they might listen. It's satisfying to see how some people brighten up when a stranger actually talks to them. I travel solo a fair amount and have met a few folks who I've exchanged email messages with later on. Seems like the world would be a better place if we talked to strangers a little more. (At least the ones who don't offer candy and a ride.)

[DuraMater]

Love talking to folks in line at the grocery store, etc. I like the energy of those around me...

[Wildflower]

I'm an introvert and a pretty quiet person, but DH on the other hand talks to everyone wherever we go, and so I am often drawn into the conversation. We do balance each other well. Sometimes I want to hush him up though! LOL ;)

[Spartana]

No, I never talk to strangers unless I'm spoken to first - and then I keep it brief. Mainly it's because I'm a bit of an introvert and am uncomfortable talking to strangers, but I'm also almost completely deaf from an accident when I was younger and unless I'm wearing hearing aids (and I hate to wear them) I can't hear normal conversations. Many people think I'm being rude when I don't respond to them, but it's just that I can't hear them initiate a conversation. But I will admit that since talking to strangerrs in NOT something I enjoy anyways, playing the "Sorry I'm Deaf" card does come in handy alot :-)!

[Juicifer]

Only if they offer me candy..

haha!!

I always talk to people, no one is a stranger. You encounter people for a reason.

I stroke up conversation with an immigrant one day, he came from Congo and had a hard time here in Canada. By accident I found him a job and I built him a Wordpress blog (he provided me the content so it was only a couple of hours work).
He was always so grateful. As it turned out he was an electrician and I asked him if he could replace an electrical panel in one of our rental properties and he shook my hand, yes he would do it for free! Well, I ended up paying him a decent hourly rate and he did it. I saved myself about $1500 (the rates for normal electrician are beyond my budget). And when he finished there was balance in the universe.

[HappyHiker]

Oftentimes I strike up conversations with strangers. Especially those who look approachable or interesting. Sometimes I'll compliment someone on a scarf or jewelry. More often I speak to those of my gender--female--or older gents so my friendliness isn't mis-construed as hitting on them.

[freein05]

I am a volunteer at our local state park (Calaveras Big Trees ) and I love to talk to strangers who come to visit the park. In the thousands I have spoken to in the last 4 years only two were grumpy. The majority of the people are really friendly and happy to be at the park. Two weeks ago I had to stand at the gate and turn people away because of the wind storm damage we had. We had over 50 trees come down and it was just too dangerous for visitors to come in. I hated to do that but the people understood and I think I did a good job of explaining to strangers the reason why they could not come in.

[razz]

Strangers are fun and help each other to pass the time when waiting. Funny but when you keep seeing the same strangers over a period of time, they become friends and you start chatting more and more.
DD1 met some strangers travelling regularly on a transit run to work, they started playing cards, shared their insight on many issues and pooled some money to buy her a lovely wedding present. Humans have this amazing capacity for sharing.

[Spartana]

Well i guess I shouldn't say that I never start conversations with strangers as I did today. I will when someone or something piques my interest. But I had my hearing aids in and my (now) unemployed sister was with me to translate if couldn't hear. It was a guy I've seen down at the beach everyday (I'm currently liviing in a rental house down at the beach in SoCal) had this RV and it was so cute I had to ask him about it. A 19 ft with a slide out. Too expensive for a tent-dweller like me but very cute!

http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=602&d=1325708756

[Gregg]

http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=602&d=1325708756


My feet started to itch and my palms got a little sweaty when I saw that pic Spartana. Think its time to hit the road for a while!

[Spartana]

My feet started to itch and my palms got a little sweaty when I saw that pic Spartana. Think its time to hit the road for a while!

Welcome to the club of itchy footed people - like athletes foot, it's highly contagious :-)! I'm actually leaving again this weekend for 3 weeks - maybe as long as 6 weeks (I LOVE RETIREMENT!!!) - since my sister can watch my dog during that time. Have no idea where I'm going, just going to hop in the old truck and head out. Will be sleeping in the truck so not "quite" as luxurious as that little RV, but I figure it's saving me about $60,000 (that's what that guy paid for it - YIKES!). Will be able to pay for ALOT of campsites for that amount! Lots of beer too :-)!