Talk to a Stranger or Nose Stuck in a Cell Phone?

[Saimaeve]

Wow. Yes, honestly. My granddaughter is a very sweet, caring and loving person. I am extremely proud of how she handled the situation with that man.

That doesn't mean that people who wouldn't have handled it the same way aren't sweet, caring, and loving as well.[/QUOTE]

I wonder if perhaps the grand daughter embellished the story a bit to impress the grandmother. Wouldn't be the first time a grand child did something to win favor

 

[MIGrandma]

That doesn't mean that people who wouldn't have handled it the same way aren't sweet, caring, and loving as well.

I wonder if perhaps the grand daughter embellished the story a bit to impress the grandmother. Wouldn't be the first time a grand child did something to win favor[/QUOTE]

Oh for goodness sakes, really?

 

[Planogirl]

Wow, I always take people at face value and don't immediately assume that they're making things up. It's a nice story and this introvert appreciates it.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

I do not like talking to strangers. I don't want to get to know them. Strangers approach me for conversation, at minimum, once a week. This man, with your daughter, talked and listened. Often, for me, and of course this doesn't mean everyone, strangers talk at me, and talk, talk, talk, usually complaining, though they would think, in their mind, that we were holding a conversation. We weren't. The stranger was talking and I was listening. As I've gotten older, I am no longer a captive audience. I give a faint smile, don't answer, and put my head back in my book, or continue with whatever I was doing. Usually, they will try at least two more times to engage me.

 

[worm761]

I'm a talker. It comes in very handy at times. Especially since most of our friends are military. That means people come and go all the time and getting the new people to relax and join in conversations comes in very handy. Though I also usually have either my phone or my Kindle handy to read if there isn't someone to talk to. But I am rarely alone.

OP, your granddaughter sounds like a lovely young woman. Kudos to her for taking the time to talk with a lonely old man.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

As a working mother, I would either be catching up on work emails on my phone during an oil change or relishing a few quiet kid-free, work-free moments to relax and enjoy reading news or the Dis on my phone. Sorry--I'm not there to be someone else's chat buddy. I'm an introvert and a very good listener so if an older gentleman struck up a conversation I'm sure I'd be polite and nod along, but it wouldn't be my choice of how to pass the time. Probably sounds harsh but it's the truth for me.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

If a complete stranger lectured me on the evils of my cell phone, you can bet I wouldn't have a conversation with him.

 

[aprilchem]

As a working mother, I would either be catching up on work emails on my phone during an oil change or relishing a few quiet kid-free, work-free moments to relax and enjoy reading news or the Dis on my phone. Sorry--I'm not there to be someone else's chat buddy. I'm an introvert and a very good listener so if an older gentleman struck up a conversation I'm sure I'd be polite and nod along, but it wouldn't be my choice of how to pass the time. Probably sounds harsh but it's the truth for me.

I totally agree with this post. I'm a working mom and took my car into the dealership for service last week - I used the time to respond to e-mails, work on a paper I've been writing, get my schedule for the week in order, etc. I have no desire to take to any person that I don't know when I'm in a situation like that; I would be polite if somebody tried to speak to me, but I wouldn't carry on a conversation.

 

[ANforever1030]

Which are you?

Here is something my oldest granddaughter posted on Facebook this afternoon. It's long, but it sure made me stop and think.

"I was waiting to get an oil change and like anyone else I pulled out my phone to pass time. I was sitting next to an elderly man and he turned to me and said "is that one of those iPhone things?" I replied yes and he proceeded to tell me about how his nephew prank calls him all the time on an iPhone. What started out as a polite conversation quickly turned sour as he proceeded to tell me that iPhones have ruined the world. I had put my phone away and engaged in a real conversation with the man at this point but none the less felt embarrassed that instead of willingly engaging in conversation upon my arrival I pulled out my phone. For the next 20 minutes, the man and I bonded over the work we were having done on our vehicles, the loss of my great grandfather and his wife to Alzheimer's, and many stories about his past. My car came off the lift and I stood to go pay my bill. I thanked the man at the front desk and turned to the man and said "it was very nice meeting you. I hope you have a good day." In reply the man said "thank you for having a genuine conversation. It was something I thought your generation forgot how to do. It means more than you think to a lonely old man who doesn't have anyone." I then hugged this stranger and our paths separated. It's moments like these that make me so thankful for the upbringing I was blessed to have. Respect your elders and speak when spoken to were two big morals that my parents imposed on my brother and me. It was because of these morals that I was able to have the amazing conversation with a stranger while getting my oil changed. It's something I will never forget."

Wow, really made me stop and think about how I would have handled that type of situation. As I have grown older I find it increasingly difficult and uncomfortable to have a conversation with someone I don't know. In all honesty I probably would have kept my nose stuck in my phone instead of engaging in conversation with the man. Oh, I would have smiled at him and answered his questions politely but I wouldn't have pushed the conversation to continue. But I'm not too old to learn by example, even from my young granddaughter. Put my phone away and talk to people. So, which type of person are you? One who would willingly engage in a conversation with the man, or keep your attention focused on your phone?

I responded to my granddaughter by telling her she brought a tear to my eye, and that I was proud of her. And I said that cell phones can be a wonderful thing, but sometimes I kind of wish they were still "bag phones plugged into the car."

Almost a year ago I walked into a Vegas pool with a phone in my pocket. Of course, it ruined the phone. At the time, I was on my phone often enough that it visibly upset the person who is now my future DW. I decided I would experiment and see if I could get by without any cell phone. Well, it actually went quite swimmingly. I began having more meaningful conversations with my DF, I reconnected with friends, family, and strangers while at dinner or other social occasions. There are times I missed it, but I didn't miss the bill and I felt more attached to the wider world around me. I did recently get a flip phone so that DF could call me regarding wedding stuff or other plans, but I hope that I never feel that I NEED a smart phone again.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am glad that your GD had a nice conversation.

 

[ebtbmom]

This graphic is totally how I feel! I'm 75% introverted according to Myers Briggs. Conversation with randoms gives me anxiety, don't judge me as being rude.

Introverts unite! Individually in our own homes

 

[wishesuponastar]

OP, it was very nice of your grandaughter to listen to the man. He might be very lonely. I am polite if someone wants to talk to me. I don't have a smartphone.

 

[usd2bmd]

I have been known to do both. there are days that I really just don't feel like conversation so I tend to use my phone as a means to avoid it. But most days I tend to leave it in my purse, and as long as it is in there i usually don't even hear it ringing or beeping for a new message.

 

[NewRVLady]

I did recently get a flip phone so that DF could call me regarding wedding stuff or other plans, but I hope that I never feel that I NEED a smart phone again.

WEll-I have a grandchild who is 1500 miles away
My son set up a Icloud pic sharing-with us-other son& Fiancee- & her sis
we get pics and videos daily and all comment
its like we are there daily


cant do that with a flip phone
(other relatives see it on their computers-but you don't have that Conversation amongst each other in that situation0 so we LOVE our Smart Phones!

 

[cluvsdisney]

If a complete stranger lectured me on the evils of my cell phone, you can bet I wouldn't have a conversation with him.

Same here. I am not much for chit chat with perfect strangers especially ones that start out like this one seemed to.