Talking To People
When I was young I didn't like talking to strangers, the ones kids are allowed to talk to like librarians and store clerks. My mom would encourage me to be less shy by trying to get me to ask them where was the bathroom, did the library have a book about X. I did my best to hide behind her pleading for her to ask for me. I'm sure I was close to a teen before she got me to ask my own questions of any adult not very familiar to me.
As a family we aren't very socially communicative. My oldest sister and my just older brother might call up to chat see how things are going. But the rest of us are like my dad, we need a reason, we have information to impart or more likely to request. After our reason has been talked about we will be social for a little and then we won't speak again until we need something else. My dad calls me for help with his computer and once we get his problem solved then we talk about his current hobby creation and my mom's dementia.
I still don't do well or feel comfortable in most social situations. I'm not very good at casual chitchat (because I'm not willing to practice). I don't really like talking about myself and when I do I usually babble a lot and then later regret opening my mouth. Recently I've found myself talking to complete strangers in stores, libraries, banks often unsolicited. I give directions to lost husbands looking for groceries. I commiserate over long lines. I helped some young sister missionaries who were looking at coffee creamer and actually needing real cream. I gave my opinion about my preferred brand of hair color to a couple of ladies a few years older than me because they'd been a while discussing which brand seemed like it might have the best coverage. I think I'm more comfortable with these conversations because I'm unlikely to see these people ever again. I don't have to get into deep conversations or talk about myself or ask about the other person. I feel like I'm very strange in this regard. I used to hate talking to strangers and now I prefer it.
As a family we aren't very socially communicative. My oldest sister and my just older brother might call up to chat see how things are going. But the rest of us are like my dad, we need a reason, we have information to impart or more likely to request. After our reason has been talked about we will be social for a little and then we won't speak again until we need something else. My dad calls me for help with his computer and once we get his problem solved then we talk about his current hobby creation and my mom's dementia.
I still don't do well or feel comfortable in most social situations. I'm not very good at casual chitchat (because I'm not willing to practice). I don't really like talking about myself and when I do I usually babble a lot and then later regret opening my mouth. Recently I've found myself talking to complete strangers in stores, libraries, banks often unsolicited. I give directions to lost husbands looking for groceries. I commiserate over long lines. I helped some young sister missionaries who were looking at coffee creamer and actually needing real cream. I gave my opinion about my preferred brand of hair color to a couple of ladies a few years older than me because they'd been a while discussing which brand seemed like it might have the best coverage. I think I'm more comfortable with these conversations because I'm unlikely to see these people ever again. I don't have to get into deep conversations or talk about myself or ask about the other person. I feel like I'm very strange in this regard. I used to hate talking to strangers and now I prefer it.