Conversations are a gift; they become magical when they are about nothing and have no other purpose than the conversation itself. Too often, it seems, we want to assign purpose to everything but the truth is not all connections or conversations need to be anything other than just enjoyable. I speak to people in stores or in bars not beca…
Conversations are a gift; they become magical when they are about nothing and have no other purpose than the conversation itself. Too often, it seems, we want to assign purpose to everything but the truth is not all connections or conversations need to be anything other than just enjoyable. I speak to people in stores or in bars not because they have something I want or because I want to have a sexual relationship but simply because it is social and, yes, it is connective. Many, if not most, of the people I end up briefly talking to I will never see again and if I do I nod in acknowledgment of recognizing them and say hello and that's it.
It feels as though we have somehow made relationships commodities and confused their value with purpose instead of appreciating their simple existence.
Commodities indeed. I'm a blabbermouth and love to chat to anyone, when I moved to the UK from Canada it was a real culture shock, there's no interaction with everyday people in London, not the culture. Not even smiling or looking someone in the eyes! I couldn't take it anymore and moved to Rio de Janeiro where Brazilian culture is one where strangers greet each other on the street and spontaneous conversations happen non-stop, I love it! I found my heaven of conversation and chatting and it enriches life so very much. No surprise after being single for very long I met my husband here. Cultural differences are huge part of all this. The art of conversation is dying and nobody appreciates a good exchange about nothing with a fellow citizen.
I also recommend moving to Brazil to cure depression, worked for me! I fell in love with the language so it was a pleasure to learn it here, you can't get by in English at all. I was already bilingual (French) but being fully immersed with a strong desire to learn the language made it easy. I started a completely new life, new career, new everything and have never looked back. Being brave and making big changes is exhilarating and fulfilling although I appreciate not always possible for everyone, but for more people than you would think!
Well, I m in immigrant. I know how it feels. :) this wouldn’t be the first bold move for me. And I already speak four languages. But now it’s about the entire family and kids… I ought to take this responsibility for three more people.
I see it, I am from Texas, but visit Scotland for bidness fairly often. When I’m in Glasgow, and maybe smile at someone and ask how they’re doing - I get looked at like a psychopath. The pandemic hasn’t helped with loddydoddy and everbody masked up, but what is considered normal here ain’t there.
"It feels as though we have somehow made relationships commodities..."
That's the whole *PURPOSE* of social media and these dating apps. To make what-i-call "pretend" relationships. To make that addictive. And then to *monetize* it. And if they can find a way to make *more* money selling this commodity, You can be sure it'll be tried.
And so it goes. Until One gets off the merry-go-round...
Yes. And because everyone has worth and a story to tell and sometimes they are interesting and fascinating and your day is enriched beyond measure as a result.
My mother and father flew a lot for business and leisure. My mom will talk to ANYONE and I've picked up that (good) habit. On one trip she began talking to a woman and learned the story of the woman being a Holocaust survivor. My mother kept in touch with her until she died. My mom also met a flight attendant and still keeps in touch with her. It's amazing how we can tough others' lives and enrich our own by asking questions and listening!
Conversations are a gift; they become magical when they are about nothing and have no other purpose than the conversation itself. Too often, it seems, we want to assign purpose to everything but the truth is not all connections or conversations need to be anything other than just enjoyable. I speak to people in stores or in bars not because they have something I want or because I want to have a sexual relationship but simply because it is social and, yes, it is connective. Many, if not most, of the people I end up briefly talking to I will never see again and if I do I nod in acknowledgment of recognizing them and say hello and that's it.
It feels as though we have somehow made relationships commodities and confused their value with purpose instead of appreciating their simple existence.
Commodities indeed. I'm a blabbermouth and love to chat to anyone, when I moved to the UK from Canada it was a real culture shock, there's no interaction with everyday people in London, not the culture. Not even smiling or looking someone in the eyes! I couldn't take it anymore and moved to Rio de Janeiro where Brazilian culture is one where strangers greet each other on the street and spontaneous conversations happen non-stop, I love it! I found my heaven of conversation and chatting and it enriches life so very much. No surprise after being single for very long I met my husband here. Cultural differences are huge part of all this. The art of conversation is dying and nobody appreciates a good exchange about nothing with a fellow citizen.
A beautiful sorry! I would have died in a place with no eye contact and a casual
chat as well. Did you learn Portuguese? While already in Brazil? Or before? Or you get by with English.
When my 11 year old started having a serious depression after all the covid lockdowns, my dear friend called me and immediately said: move to Brazil!
I also recommend moving to Brazil to cure depression, worked for me! I fell in love with the language so it was a pleasure to learn it here, you can't get by in English at all. I was already bilingual (French) but being fully immersed with a strong desire to learn the language made it easy. I started a completely new life, new career, new everything and have never looked back. Being brave and making big changes is exhilarating and fulfilling although I appreciate not always possible for everyone, but for more people than you would think!
Well, I m in immigrant. I know how it feels. :) this wouldn’t be the first bold move for me. And I already speak four languages. But now it’s about the entire family and kids… I ought to take this responsibility for three more people.
I see it, I am from Texas, but visit Scotland for bidness fairly often. When I’m in Glasgow, and maybe smile at someone and ask how they’re doing - I get looked at like a psychopath. The pandemic hasn’t helped with loddydoddy and everbody masked up, but what is considered normal here ain’t there.
"It feels as though we have somehow made relationships commodities..."
That's the whole *PURPOSE* of social media and these dating apps. To make what-i-call "pretend" relationships. To make that addictive. And then to *monetize* it. And if they can find a way to make *more* money selling this commodity, You can be sure it'll be tried.
And so it goes. Until One gets off the merry-go-round...
^^ this. Excellent observation.
Yes. And because everyone has worth and a story to tell and sometimes they are interesting and fascinating and your day is enriched beyond measure as a result.
My mother and father flew a lot for business and leisure. My mom will talk to ANYONE and I've picked up that (good) habit. On one trip she began talking to a woman and learned the story of the woman being a Holocaust survivor. My mother kept in touch with her until she died. My mom also met a flight attendant and still keeps in touch with her. It's amazing how we can tough others' lives and enrich our own by asking questions and listening!