I have always heard that people on the East Coast can be "cold". I never really understood that.
Even though I would not say that the people I have met in DC are cold, (or at least not as much as what I have heard about further north)...there is definitely a LACK of warmth. People are polite. They smile and talk. But many of them have no warmth. There words are sweet...but they don't seem to really LOOK at you. Sure their eyes are on you while they are talking...and they are being nice...but they really are not interested in YOU....not interested in who you are as a person....in KNOWING you. Maybe people don't really realize they are being distant. Or maybe many people are just BUSY and have no idea that they seem standoffish. Or maybe there is so much on their plate that their brain doesn't have enough room to take in the wholeness of a new person more than a quick smile and moment of chit chat... (oh...that sounds like ME for the past 10 years...)
The SCARY thing is - I just described myself 3 months ago. I NEVER realized until this move what it was like to be the new person....the outsider. I have learned through this of how TERRIBLE I have personally been at reaching out to new people and really taking interest in them. I have always been so BUSY. Wow. Really looks different from this side of the fence.
2 comments:
I know that I am right there with you...guilty as charged. Thanks for challenging me to do a better job of reaching out to new people, take the time to get to know them and make them feel "at home" in Arkansas.
Hey Glenda!
I'm interested in whether you think this is something that happens when you meet someone in the store, on the street, etc. or if you notice the same thing when you're in a social situation where you are talking with people and are introduced to someone new (i.e. church, dinner with friends, etc.) I'll explain why I'm asking later!
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