What happens after "hello?"
Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 1:24PM More than once in your life, you may have taken a chance to speak with a stranger. It may have been just outside a hotel. You may have asked a shopkeeper for change. You may have stood at a bus stop or at some other venue, and something inside compelled you to open your mouth and comment on the weather. You may have offered to help an over-loaded person carry parcels. Perhaps you kindly offered directions or inquired about the time. Maybe you simply had had a bad day and desired to get a few things off your chest. But then, what happens after "hello?"
Of course, there's also the chance you have thought about talking to strangers, but always held yourself back. You may feel tongue-tied, be worried about what you would say, or how your words would be peceived by others. You may lack self-confidence to take such an initiative or, you may have always been told its just not the thing to do. I've met some people who learned it could be dangerous to speak with strangers and other people who simply think it really isn't polite.
My own experience has been varied. I've learned that taking the risk to talk to a stranger isn't wise in some circumstances. I've also learned that taking a risk to talk to a stranger can open doors of opportunity which have truly enriched my life. I suppose that as you build confidence and learn to trust your intuition, you'll learn where and when taking a risk to speak to people works or doesn't work for you.
A positive example of where I took a risk was outside of a hotel in Sydney, Australia. I had a flexible schedule for part of that day, and I struck up a conversation with a Chinese family who was waiting for a change in pedestrian light beside me. I had a map and asked if I could assist them with directions. Two of the men were living in Brisbane, and one man was accompanied by his visiting parents from Beijing. Not only was I able to offer them directions, but I ended up walking with them into the city, showing them some venues I knew, and we discovered other venues together.
As the morning went on, I showed them Hyde Park, Phillip and Cook Parks as well as Botanic Gardens. We read and laughed about foreign vegetation, and chose to watch and cheer on the competitors of tail-end of the local triathalon. I was available to take photos of strangers and they even took some with me. The Chinese visitors shared a fruit picnic with me. We watched cockatoos, ducks and other native birds beg to share. These people discovered places they may not have otherwise seen in part because I was took the time to be with them. I also learned from them as we walked along. Much to my pleasant surprise, I found I had a lot in common with one of them and sense we'll be able to assist each other more in the future. They were surprised that a stranger like me would help and also seem so friendly. They now have a different idea of possibilities.
About lunchtime, I left them to continue to discover the harbour and other local areas without me. Though, what a marvelous time I had had! All this happened after I chose to say "hello." I went on with the rest of my day, reminding myself that you never know who you might meet or where, and how you might be in a position to help. Risk-taking can be a blessing, if you choose to believe in yourself and all the positive experiences waiting for you around the corner.
Reader Comments (2)
I think you've made yet another fan of Australia. Good on ya!