Hi :)

I went to another country today. I've been many times. Getting around there seems almost natural now. The people there, the things they do are very different from us, yet, I live only an hour away. Different money, politics, language. Very cool. The even cooler part is despite our differences, there are essential things we do as humans that allow us to relate despite our cultural differences.

I went to Ikea (the international sanctuary for contempory western design + style ). There was a person in front of me causing a hastle with the cashier at the check-out, making her upset. By the time I got to the front, the cashier seemed distraught and agitated. I looked into her eyes, smiled sincerely and said "hi" (actually it was "bonjour"). Because she was working like a hard-drive all day, I don't think she thought anybody would take a second out of their daily life to express any depth of human feeling towards her. She felt and a was treated like a drone, but she wasn't a drone, she was a human breathing, living, thinking being. Her existance as a human being was agnoliged and respected all in one action. How powerful such a simple greeting with sincerity can be. It turned her frown upside-down and the day completely around. The agitating, disrespectful incident with the previous customer seemed almost non-existent now.

Why is it that when people converse, they look into each others eyes? Why is it that when they point to themselves, they point to their heart? Why are so many of them so busy that they can't even say hi? to care sincerely, or even pretend to care?

When the cities (hives) and society (culture pool) get to a certain size, rudeness loses it's evidence of consiquences. A person can tell someone off and its okay because they will never see each other again. This action of rudeness and uncaring only breeds a society of pissy, unfriendly, paranoid people, shelled by clashing egos. Life is too short to be afraid. To be unable to show your real self. To set up a fortress around yourself so thick that you can't taste the fresh air.

One of my jobs involves me dealing with ALOT of people, all the time. People generally have a sour attitude until you reveal to them that you are somehow given joy by their presence. People like to feel useful. They like to feel important. It makes them happy. This may be why a large number of people die all within two years after they begin retirement. When it comes to greeting; a sincere smile and the word "hi" can go a very long way. Not only does it make both parties feel good, but it opens up a stream of conversation that has the freedom to grow, to make connections and create something greater. I have gotten several freelance jobs that way. Its the open heart that people are unwilling to do. They think that by exposing themselves it makes them vulnerable. What is there to fear? They will never fall apart if they see that they have never fallen together.

Happy Travels :)