"Don't talk to strangers" is the first thing our parents teach us as we descend upon the world in kindergarten droves. Well, after they housebreak us, at least. "Don't take candy from strangers," "Don't believe what they tell you"; we're given countless rules about how to deal with the unknown people of the world, and there are an awful lot of them.
Fast-forward to today. How often do you say "Hi!" to a stranger? How often do you lend a helping hand to someone you don't know? Most likely you don't even look a passerby in the face. Remember in high school when you were walking down the hall and another student was coming from the opposite direction? Suddenly the lockers became such fascinating objects as we cast our vision away from the oncoming person. It continues today.
It's ingrained into our psyche. We're taught from birth that strangers are bad people with whom we should avoid conversing at all costs. They're perverts trying to lull you into a false sense of security so they can live out their ancient Roman fantasies. But isn't it true that everyone is a stranger until you get to know them? Isn't it true that your best friend was at one time a total stranger? Your lover one of those people you averted your gaze from?
A couple weekends ago, I held a conversation with a couple of complete strangers. I'm not talking about some drunken tirade everyone has with other drunks at any of the assorted and sordid parties happening every weekend. I was sober, and those I was speaking to were reasonably sober; Amanda and Shannon, if I remember correctly - freshmen at our great university that I met while sitting on a bench laughing at all the drunk clones on Chippewa.
We talked for an hour or more, I'm not really sure. Nothing of real importance, but it struck me that these were two complete strangers whom normally I would never think to talk to, yet I enjoyed the time we spent talking about whatever. I felt like Jimmy Stewart in Harvey, making conversation with whoever is at hand. Well, not really, but it was good rather than bad.
We should all aspire to be more open, more honest. If someone asks me a direct question, they get a direct and truthful answer. Most people are not like that. We live shrouded in mystery, and as such, very few people know who we are. I don't like that about our society. It makes the world impersonal and cold. The more people who know you, the better your life will be.
It would also be nice if we helped our fellow man every now and then. How nice would it be if you were standing in line at a store and needed an extra dollar to buy something and the guy behind you coughed it up for no reason other than to be helpful? This almost never happens. We always expect someone else to do it, for someone else to be generous. But if you don't do it yourself, you can't ever expect it. It may sound corny or too hopeful, but the world would be a better place if we all gave a bit more.
I'm not saying I'm the great example all should follow. I can't remember the last time I took the initiative and struck up a conversation with someone I didn't know or helped someone for no reason. But I try to do so; I try to remember that it'd be nice if people did the same for me.
I could tie this in to some big Christmas ideal or something, but I think Christmas is a joke. It's a retail holiday, not a religious one. The whole meaning was lost long ago when people began making mad dashes for the malls the day after Thanksgiving and commercials started pushing Christmas gifts in October. A bit of a tangent, I do realize, dear reader, but a valid point nonetheless.
It's just an example of the continued commercialization of everything in this country. From Bush destroying the environment for a few extra barrels of oil to college bowl games having names like the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. I think environmentalists are selfish people, but I do enjoy nature and all its beauty. And there's no way I'm calling the Orange Bowl the FedEx Orange Bowl.
So to wrap up: The art of eliminating strangers is a long lost and forgotten trade. Despite the tangent, this is the meaning of the column. Talk to a few people every now and then. I'm not too good at it, but strike up a conversation with me sometime. I'll talk if I'm free. Say hi once in a while.
