#2: Observations

So, remember from my first post when I referenced Talk to Strangers Blog and his tips for making conversation? Well, I officially tried number 2: make observations.

An artsy picture of Colony House that I stole from my friend’s Snapchat story.

Let’s start at the very beginning (according to Julie Andrews, it’s a very good place to start): Over Easter break, I got to go to a Colony House show. (If you don’t know, they’re a little alt. rock band, and they’re great. You should totally listen to them so you can be cool.) It was near my university, so I saw a lot of familiar faces there, most of whom I didn’t know very well, but still.

Something you should know about me (if you don’t know already) is that I’m freakishly good with names and faces (I’m basically Shawn Spencer. Ya know, from Psych. If you’ve never seen that show, you should be ashamed). I honestly am afraid that I come off as creepy sometimes because I’ll try to talk to someone I’ve met once as if we’re friends, and they’ll have no idea who I am. So, maybe that’s part of the reason I don’t talk to people much; I don’t really want to seem creepy. Okay, back to the story.

So, I was sitting in class this morning, and I look over and see this guy who I was pretty sure I saw at the concert over break. Then I noticed his wristband (the one’s they gave us at the show; ya know, the paper ones like they give you at the fair or whatever), and I knew it had to be him.

After a minute or two of squirming in my seat, trying to tell myself I should say something, and finally giving in because this blog is for a class, and I need more posts, I said, “Hey. Were you at the Colony House concert on Thursday?”

I’m pretty sure it took him a second to realize that I was talking to him because the only interaction we’ve ever had before was that he passes me the role sheet sometimes, but he eventually told me that he was. I mentioned that I’d noticed his wristband (in hopes of not seeming creepy. I think it worked), and we talked about the show sort of awkwardly for a few minutes, and then class started.

Fine, it wasn’t a life-changing conversation or anything. But, I talked to someone I didn’t know, and it was fine. I observed something about him (the wristband), used it to make some sort of connection (the band/concert), and had an okay conversation with a stranger. Not bad.