First, thanks everyone who wrote comments on last Friday's post. I meant to turn comments off because I had no clue what might be written. It's nice to know that the 'net isn't just full of assholes who should be out buggering roosters.
Second, I'm glad none of you used the s-word. It's a word that most people use to dismiss.
Third, after reading the comments, I think I need to clarify. I know the basics of going up to people and speaking and I'm not afraid of making an ass of myself in front of anyone. (Probably half of what I say makes me come off as a jackass.) What I meant by asking "how do people do it?" is how do people physically speak around people they don't know.
When I want to speak with someone at a party, or something, and I don't know the person, I walk up to him or her and open my mouth and nothing comes out. I physically can not speak. When a person I don't know says something to me, I can answer, but it's usually short and sort of dismissive, like the example from the comic shop.
That's all. Tomorrow, something more light-hearted.
5 comments:
It's going to sound bad, but have you tried practicing your Greeting beforehand?
Practice is good. Figuring out a couple of starting lines to a conversation might be a good idea. Or maybe not to even aim for conversation at first. Just comment on something in the room, or something, and move on.
So... Do assholes bugger roosters? I thought it was sheep.
I took a job one time that included speaking once a week in front of about 500 people for 5 minutes. They did not tell me about that little part of the job before I was hired. What! ME speak in front of that many people?! I was terrified! But, I did it for 2 and a half years. I usually wrote what I wanted to say and kept the paper in my hand, just in case I forgot. I did fine, and the people loved me. So, why not write down what you would say to a stranger in a hypothetical situation and put it in your pocket. You will have it right there, handy in case you need it, and you will have "practised" it before hand, so it will be easier to do once you are face to face with them. Go for it! what is the worst that could happen? They would think you are nuts and walk away, so what? They don't know you. What is the best that could happen? They could say, "Hey, yeah! That's cool. Let's go get a cup of coffee"...
Ragnell, I've tried practicing, I still can't get any words out of my mouth. I tried it at APE in April and could barely speak to my cartooning heroes who were there. I basically bought some things and left. It sucked.
Choochoo, the move on part I have down, really well, but it usually mean's I'm turning my back or walking away.
Assholes bugger whatever's handy, Australians and New Zealanders bugger sheep. (That's a joke, sort of.
Here's a real joke: A woman is driving through the country admiring the rolling, green hills covered with sheep. As she's driving, she sees a guy fucking a sheep. She stops at the nearest house, goes up to the front door, and knocks. A boy with short, curly, light hair answers. "There's a man out there screwing your sheep," she says to the boy. "Yeah," he says, "that's my daaaaaaad.")
Fab Grandma, oddly enough, I don't have a real problem getting up in front of large groups of people and speaking. Afterward, I'm so physically and emotionally exhausted, though, that I just want to slump off to a corner, lean against a wall, and sleep. I guess I can handle it better because it's not interaction. There's a huge difference between speaking at a large group of people I don't know and speaking with one person I don't know.
As for "What is the worst that could happen?" I could say something someone found offensive and get kicked in the nut and, due to my surprise and pain, hit in the face and knocked down and then kicked and stepped on until I stop breathing. But how likely is that to happen?
you know, you don't even have to talk to ppl at first. Just practice making eye contact (or if you just stare at the bridge of their nose, they're gonna think you're looking at they're eyes. Go figure) without saying anything. Say that you try to make eye contact with one person every day. Then you just hold it for a while and move on. Baby steps. Don't try to make everyone like you, 'cause there'll always be someone who doesn't, whatever you do. Screw'em. They're probably not worth knowing, anyway.
And when you try to talk to someone for the first time, you don't have to stay there and chat. Just practice actually saying something. Even if it's something mundane about the weather. Or you could just ask them what time it is or for directions somewhere. Or make up a person and ask ppl if they've seen them, as if you're looking for them.
And I like the joke. Hehe. Funny.
Post a Comment