I used to have a part-time job at the mall working at the fruit stand. The best part was the people watching. My favorite part was watching how people interacted with each other and how they treated the staff. While we sold very high-end fruits we got every walk of life in our tiny mini store. My guess is we had famous people in that store almost every single week. I always watched them the closet, observing how they treated those around them.
In front of my desk is a long row of newly installed windows. I think they stretch maybe two hundred feet, it is a lot of glass. The odd thing is some of the panes are walking in the frame leaving small gaps to the outside. No one can totally understand why it is happening but it is. The last two weeks the glass guy has been out to adjust the windows and look for solutions as to why things are moving.
The other day we struck up a conversation and it turns out he collects very rare pottery that was made in town in the early 1900s. It is so rare that the art museum has documented his collection and even bought one of his vases. What he taught me about collecting and the museum was impressive.
I see how people look at him from time to time. I feel it is exactly what we tell kids to not do, judge a book by its cover.
I don’t really know where I am going with this but maybe it is to stop and observe the world around you. Everyone has a story. Everyone is like an onion, so many layers. Do we have the patients to really peel them back? I would say we have the time, because we all watch TV, play fortnite, look at random apps but maybe peel a little tiny bit of that time off and talk to someone new today.
Who will you meet for the first time today?
Tiny Slice Of My Life 
I love the idea of peeling back the layers, that people have so many facets to them and we need to take the time to get to know someone’s story. I really enjoy getting to know more about other people and I think it’s hard to hate someone when you know their story. What was the most popular fruit that people would buy when you worked at the stand?
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Fruit stand was our secret code word for Apple Store! People would spend a ridiculous amount of money on everything and anything. – Colin (odd didn’t post this under my name)
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Wow! I’m so impressed by your ability to “see” those around you. How did you uncover this guy’s story? I’d love to be a fly-on-the-wall for that conversation! Nice slice!
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I am usually very introverted. I read something years ago on Lifehacker on how to start conversations. One trick was numbers, like how many years have you been collecting pottery? I asked a few follow-up questions and the story just happened. I am so thankful to have had this opportunity.
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Oooh. This is a good tip. I really want to get good at chatting up strangers because I do love hearing people’s stories!
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