i went to the post office today to pick up a certified letter.
while in line, i left a gap because there was a counter with a bunch of slips/forms in front of me, and i wanted to leave space in case anyone needed to grab one.
an old man with a package walks up behind me and he says to me, "i was thinking to myself.. i should just walk in front of you and see what you say. i like to play with people, just to see what they'll do."
i laughed. because i appreciated this, and i sometimes like to do the same thing, too. test out how people would react to something i said or did.
i learned it from michael.
when i'd be walking the hallways with michael, i'd watch him strike up a conversation with someone passing by.
after a few minutes of talking and they go on their way, i'd ask michael, "did you know that person?"
no, he said.
"but you were talking to them as if you knew them."
yeah, he said.. that's the way to do it.
so i do that sometimes now.. and really, it's a lot of fun.
after a pause, the man said to me.. "so you didn't tell me your answer..
you probably would have said something like, 'old man, what are you doing?'"
"right," i said to him with a smile.
i would've said more, possibly strike up a conversation specifically about this topic of getting reactions out of people, but..
too tired and miserable was i.
oh well.. another time for a meaningful encounter with a stranger.
LJ