In fact, I'd prefer zipless conversations to new friends.

Truth.

I mean sometimes new friends maybe but, ugh, not all new people I talk to will be friends. Few will. Just give me a few minutes of conversation and then go away.

I'd be less wary of talking to strangers if I thought there was a decent chance they'd go away afterwards.

How do normal people find those random brief conversations?

Alone in a non-English speaking country was pretty good for that, for me -- in Paris, I kept saying two sentences to fellow tourists and moving on. So I guess a person could do that anywhere!

I was at the pharmacy Friday, alone among 8 chairs. A woman cam to the chairs, looked at them all, then chose to sit right next to me. I was reading my tablet, but I'd observed all this. She immediately started asking questions. "Is that your husband up there?" "Yes," I muttered. "I wish I had a husband. I can't find a good man." I continued reading, not answering. She turned to stare at me. I didn't look up. She turned away. "I had a friend who was a pharmacist, he committed suicide. Money isn't everything." I didn't say anything. She turned to stare at me again, I continued reading. She said something else. I got up to join Hubby at the counter. She humphed and got up and walked away.

I would be happy not to have random strangers talk to me.

Small world news. I graduated from Berekely High School back in the day. A friend from then, L, stayed in the area and has a son who will be graduating from BHS this year. Her son has a friend in his English class who has a very distinctive last name. L finally asked her son about the kid and he is indeed Spike's son. Wonder if Mr. Marsters will be attending BHS grad.

I would be happy not to have random strangers talk to me.

Now I have visions of chasing Connie down yelling "One more sentence! I just need one more sentence for my quota today!"

If people get muttery and terse, well then, it's no fun. Why would I want to do that?

Introvert that I am, I don't necessarily engage people whenever I have the opportunity, but when I do the zipless conversation comes pretty easy. Strangers can be very relaxing that way.

I managed to get some Jell-o mixed up and into the fridge. That was seeming beyond me for a while there, so yay. I don't think I'll get my 3-mile run in today, though. Boo.

Time for Ginger Ale.

Strangers can be very relaxing that way.

Exactly. No commitment, brief sharing about t-shirt/scarf/thrifting.

Now I have visions of chasing Connie down yelling "One more sentence! I just need one more sentence for my quota today!"

Put at least one seat between us, and I'll consider it.

And not quite non sequiter: Just because my husband is a cancer patient does not give you carte blanche to touch me! How much more fang does this she-wolf have to show? Go paw at the poor frazzled bunny rabbit over there!

Introvert that I am, I don't necessarily engage people whenever I have the opportunity, but when I do the zipless conversation comes pretty easy. Strangers can be very relaxing that way.

That's totally it.

I enjoy chatting with random strangers too. I'm so glad there are others who feel the same. I always thought it was something weird and quirky about me, but how weird can it be if so many here like it too?

So we went on an extended family bike ride today with my sister and her peeps. So nice! HMB is such a lovely town. There was lots of people, on foot, on bikes, even on horses.

Now I am thinking a nap would be just the thing to round out the afternoon.