“My family and I were just confused by the assumption that being friendly and nice is socially off”
I never thought my daily actions could have been included in your recent article about defying social norms. Defiance seems a little dramatic for a nice, friendly conversationalist soul. I didn’t realize it lacked social normalcy to talk to someone at a play who you will be sitting next to for three hours. It actually makes the environment more pleasurable! Nor did I realize complimenting random strangers isn’t normal. Actually, those compliments go the furthest. Isn’t it sweet when a total stranger compliments your well-behaved children at the park or on a long plane trip?
After reading this challenge, I realized I’m socially not normal. I’m nice. I dispense free, genuine compliments to the UPS man and many others. I actually enjoy talking to strangers when stuck together for a while. Time passes faster, for example, when waiting on a long line, in the waiting room, etc. I think people feel validated and happy when you acknowledge their presence. My family and I were just confused by the assumption that being friendly and nice is socially off.
A Typical Tristate Friendly Person
On behalf of all single girls, I want to thank Chava Meisels for her amazing serial. It’s so validating and refreshing to read about girls at the same stage as I am. Your depiction of both the challenges and the fun are spot-on.
I especially appreciated the story this past week, when Chayala thanks Mrs. Gutmacher for setting her up, and she responds that the boy should be thanking her because Chayala is amazing. In a world where boys are the commodity, and amazing girls are a dime a dozen, this is truly a unique response.
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