Dear Reader Column 6-22-05

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Dear Reader,

Confession is good for the soul and it's even easier if you don't know the people you're talking to.

"Never talk to strangers" may be the advice these days, but when I need to get it out of my system, give me a stranger any day.

Friends, they want to help--and I'm appreciative--but strangers, they simply listen to be polite, never interrupting once, until I've finished my little tirade.

"Oh, my that's too bad," or "You poor dear," they console. I realize that's not really what they're thinking. It's no secret that when I'm out of earshot, they look at each other and announce, "She's a really weird one. Perhaps we should avoid walking down that street in the future?"

No doubt that's what the unsuspecting strangers, out for a leisurely walk, thought about me a few years ago. It was Christmas time and I had a house full of relatives. One was on a special tofu only diet, another was recalling the not-so-good days, 30 years ago, when her sister got a bike for Christmas and she didn't. My aunt seemed to be coming down with a nasty case of the flu, and our always-in-the-mood-to-party relative (every family has one) decided to check out the Sarasota night life, ended up in jail, and called wanting to know if I could raise bail money.

Don't get the wrong idea, I love having relatives at my house for the holidays, but I needed a break, so I was out in the yard wandering around reciting the, "Blessed thou art thankful" prayer, when a nice looking couple came walking down the sidewalk.

"Hello, how are you today?" they innocently asked.

Instead of answering with the usual, "Fine, thank you," I barricaded the sidewalk with my body and held them hostage for 20 minutes, giving them my own personal version of the Chevy Chase movie, "Christmas Vacation."

Afterwards, I felt much better. Yes, this talking to strangers thing worked great, until I asked my "strangers" where they lived. "Oh, we're new in the neighborhood. We just moved in two houses down from yours. Nice to meet you."

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
www.DearReader.com

Comments

[Yasser Lotfy]

Hi,
I've been reding your updates for a while, and franly I like your writing style. I dn't get much time to read more books, but have enough time to read your emails, I like them.

I just wonder if you are an Ottawa resident, and have a regular club time where I can listen to a life discussion. I'm specifically interested in issues like communication, conflict resolution. positive and assertive communication.

In all, luv yr work, and wish to attend any of yr sessions.

/y