Personable Persons

Weird title, I know. It just came to me and really made me think of "Potent Potables" from the SNL Jeopardy's. Funny. But we need some more personable persons in this world. How many of you whip out your cell phone every time you get into an elevator with another person in it? Only to push a few buttons and put it right back in your purse or pocket like you were actually doing something. Then maybe thinking that it will look like you were just checking the time or a new message, when everyone knows it was just an awkward moment in your life that you couldn't pull together to have a conversation with your fellow human being. From now on, just notice the awkwardness in the other person. Don't pull out your phone anymore. Just say hi to the other person and watch them pull out theirs. It's fun, I promise. 90% of the people you come across will walk into the elevator either not knowing the time or having something just pop up on their phone. Maybe it's some type of elevator standing syndrome.

I used to have this problem until I noticed 4 of us whip out our phones in a 2 floor elevator ride. We all forgot what time it was. Now I just watch and smile while the other person stands there in discomfort. I think that is one of the most common acts of human incompetence. We all seem to be able to communicate fine with those we know. Why do our conversation skills disappear in the presence of a stranger? Start looking people in their eyes when you pass them on the street or in the hallway. Most will not look at you anyways so you should have nothing to fear. The worst thing that happens to me is I start to feel pity for the other person because they are so uncomfortable with themselves or with strangers that they have to stare at the ground or at a suddenly interesting object on the wall when passing a fellow human being. I can't believe people are so afraid of me!

How did we get this far off course? I am certainly not the most outgoing person on Earth, but I do try to converse with those who I come across randomly on any given day. We should embrace everyone. Try something new! We don't need to hold hour long conversations with strangers, but ask them how their day is going. At least then you make some contact outside of your regular everyday "bubble." Plus, when you get a response, which is usually some type of good response, you make that person think if they told you a lie or if it really is a good day. Then, they are thinking about how their day is going and if they want it to continue in that direction or make a little adjustment. I know I'm getting off topic, but you see, people need to think about how they want their day to go or how their day is going, if they wish to change or continue that way. How will you ever get what you want if you don't think what you want?