« Fair Trade; Fair Wage; Fair Transaction. | Main | Day Fourteen - Side-trip to Xi'an »
December 01, 2008
Social Art & the Art of Society
I have always advocated social networking in every form; so much so that I even view it as an art form which contributes to our daily well-being. A daily dose of communication with someone you haven’t met before can not only boost endorphins (and increase karma if it is a good encounter), but can open up windows for future friendships, relationships, or career opportunities. As eloquently stated on my Starbucks cup:
“I used to feel so alone in the city. All those gazillions of people and then me, on the outside. Because how do you meet a new person? I was very stumped by this for many years. And then I realized, you just say, "Hi." They may ignore you. Or you may marry them. And that possibility is worth that one word.� -- Augusten Burroughs (author of Running with Scissors)
The more recent inspiration for this entry came from my flights from Detroit, to Washington D.C., to New York (for the Thanksgiving Holiday) – and then from New York, to Chicago, to Detroit. On my connector flight from Washington-Dulles to LaGuardia, I was seated next to an eccentric man with an eclectic style sense. We hit it off immediately – especially once he mentioned he was a stylist for Vogue, Sex & the City, and Ugly Betty. I was fascinated to hear about his travels to numerous countries for photoshoots, along with his own entrepreneurship through his own Vintage Warehouse. A manhattan native, he knows the fashion industry as well as the subway routes. Before we went our separate ways I made sure to get his e-mail address so he could send me updates on the latest movie looks and whereabouts of his Vintage Warehouse. Such great inspirations can emerge from exchanging a few words with a ‘stranger.’ Although I hate the term ‘stanger;’ after all, wasn’t your closest friend merely a ‘stranger’ once?
Similar to photography or sculpture, socializing with ‘strangers’ takes a certain level of confidence in your perspective and advances. Here are some suggestions to get you on your feet, or to get the words out of your mouth, rather.
1 - People don’t bite. A lot of people are really open to conversation. In fact, you’d be amazed at how many girls will be practically overjoyed that you came and talked to them, as if they’ve been waiting for you to approach them.
2 - Rejection is no big deal. I can’t repeat this enough. Still, fear of rejection will be the main reason why guys people go out and try this.
3 - Authenticity is the silver bullet. An honest individuality is the most magnetic of human qualities.
4 - The people around you aren’t watching. And, even when they are, it’s usually in shock and awe, rather than because they’re laughing at you.
5 - Other guys/girls will get out of your way. You’ll be amazed how often other guys/girls simply fade into the background when you approach their female/male friends.
(excerpt extracted from here.)
Start by talking to one person you have never interacted with before every day for 30 days. There are more opportunities for conversation than you may realize - while waiting on line for coffee or groceries, in the few dead minutes before or after lecture, or in a campus dining hall. You will always have at least one thing in common with another person (since you are in the same location at the same time...or ordering the same triple-shot cappuccino after pulling an all-nighter). It's okay if the conversation doesn't progress any further than a few words - that's all it takes to brighten someone else’s day (or your own day).
By the end of those thirty days, social networking, like artistic inclinations, will become second nature. Maybe even an afterthought. The more comfortable you are talking to strangers, the more comfortable you will feel about yourself and will contribute to your attainment of Self-Realization.
Another added bonus: you never know who you may meet.
शांति
Karen Rockwood
Posted by rockwood at December 1, 2008 07:12 PM