Some days I feel like Lucy in the Charlie Brown cartoons. Hopefully not the mean side of Lucy (you know -- the one that always pulls the football out from under Charlie Brown's feet!), but rather the Lucy in her psychiatrist booth with the "doctor is in" sign. I have a knack for attracting people who want to share their life story with me -- or who just want to share intimate details of things -- even though they don't know me. And this is fine, if I'm helping someone who just needs another person to listen. But it also baffles me.
The latest was the sweet girl who works at the dry cleaner. I don't do much dry cleaning these days, so I've seen her maybe 10 or 12 times in a three year span. We don't talk much -- just the usual -- hi, how are you, we chat about the weather. But this time around, I got an earful! It involved her sister, her mom, a land dispute, a credit card issue, a new car and various colorful four-letter words. I let her get it off her chest and had little idea what to say other than, "I sure hope things work out!" That was the best I could do.
This girl knows nothing about me other than what she sees on the surface. I was so surprised at what she was sharing with me. The same thing happened to me when my son started kindergarten. The mother of one of his new friends introduced herself and then would call me on the phone and talk and talk and talk about some really personal things. She was nice and I didn't want to be rude -- but it would make me a bit uncomfortable.
Maybe there are just people out there that are anxious to share details of their life regardless of who is listening. Or maybe they need someone -- anyone -- to just plain listen. Who knows. But personally -- I would be nervous and hesitant to share too much without knowing a thing about the person I'm speaking to. Do you agree?
I haven't posted any quotes lately, so since today's post is about listening, I thought I should share some quotes about that very thing.
The first one fits my household quite well!
Home is where you can say anything you like cause nobody listens to you anyway. ~Author Unknown
We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. ~Epictetus
I see from my previous post that I am definitely not alone in my love of 80s music -- I may just have to play some blogging games with that in mind. You know me and my silly games -- gotta have some fun once in a while. So stay tuned!! There could very well be fabulous prizes involved! (Well, okay -- not FABULOUS -- because come on folks, this isn't the Price is Right or Deal or No Deal -- it's just my blog! But there will be prizes nonetheless!)
Have a great week -- and thanks for stopping by!
9 comments:
You just have one of those personalities that begs for people to spill their guts. Did I ever tell you about the time I ........just kiddin'
FAbulous 80's tunes....and a game. Sounds like fun.
I think we live in a society where people don't always have close "confidantes" anymore so there are times when the first person that comes along gets the "earful", BUT having said that there are just some people who delight in telling everyone and anyone their "news". I've had it too, just plain embarrassing sometimes - very TMI!!
Have a good week.
Rita you just have a face that says talk to me I'll listen. And you know that's really a gift cause people can sure use an ear. Love the quotes.
Well let me tell you about......LOL
I know what you mean, try have 65 employees, they tell me things I do not want to hear. I have to put the hand up and say TMI = Too much info.
oh rita...you just have a kind face and soul and people gravitate to that! but i hear you...since opening the loov, i have learned a whole lot about some perfect strangers! lol!
come over and play!
http://www.anotherangel.com/scrappad/
You are a good listener Rita. I better be careful so that my crazy venting sesstions don't end up on your blog, Lucy. You weren't talking about me back in Kindergarten, were you? ;)
Ditto what the other gals have said...you are just a kind person and people sense that!
Love this post tho.....especially the fabulous prize part LOL
something on my blog for you
It's because you are so sweet, Rita!! :0)
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