So, I am not very good at small talk. I would rather be silent than talk about the weather. Now, I know that small talk is a social component that helps build a bound between people. I read somewhere that a comment on the weather can start a conversation anywhere in the world. Small talk is important, I’m just not good at it.
I would rather talk about deeper things. But people don’t want to jump into that side of the pool very often it seems. I think we hide behind small talk, hide behind discussing the weather and tomorrow’s forecast.
But today reminded me that the weather can make connections… even if it is just for a few minutes.
It rained all morning. It was just before noon when I headed for my walk. My neighborhood is a weird mix of cul-da-sac,and winding roads. I have different “routes” depending on the time I have to walk. There are regular walkers I encounter, but I was walking at an odd time for me. I had my earbuds in to listen to music and took a “medium” route today.
I came across someone I didn’t know about halfway through my route. She was an older lady walking on the other side of the road. We waved at each other. (I wave only about half of the time when I walk by someone – told you, not good at this small talk thing).
Then she raised her hands up, like I had a gun. It startled me. I took out my earbuds and said, “I’m sorry?”
She raised them again saying, “Do you think it’s going to rain on us?” She put her hands down, then lifted her left hand up, which was holding an umbrella. “I brought this just in case.”
“I think we are good for a while,” I said smiling.
“I hope so,” she replied.
And we headed on our way.
Toward the end of my route we crossed paths again. We smiled at the moment.
I took my earbuds out as we got closer. “Didn’t need the umbrella,” I said.
“Yeah, it’s not like we would melt if it did rain,” she said.
We waved, smiling, as we headed in opposite directions.
Nothing world changing, just two people talking about the weather, but it elevated the moment. A small positive connection was made… and I think we sure could use more of these moments.
So how’s the weather in your part of the world?
It is all Connected 