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The Water Cooler
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Teenagers…grrr…
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<blockquote data-quote="dabigboy" data-source="post: 4007092" data-attributes="member: 50364"><p>Hmmmm. I really find it disheartening that our culture, in general, has so much inhibition against interacting with strangers. Sometimes I see it like the OP (someone gets annoyed at a stranger), but more often I see it as people being intimidated to interact, due to fear of rejection. I was just talking to my wife about this yesterday. The ironic thing is that Americans (and Okies in particular), in my experience, are generally really nice people, who will be your buddy if given half a chance. They are just afraid of being rejected, or of being taken advantage of. And I would say that the younger generation does NOT have this inhibition as much, which is encouraging.</p><p></p><p>I've found that simply opening up and being friendly to people will go a long way. I try to be the guy who breaks the ice and puts people at ease....which is funny, because I myself have suffered with feelings of inferiority and SEVERE lack of confidence since I was in my early teens. Maybe I've taken the "friendly outgoing" approach as an antidote to my own personal issues, I dunno. I find making friends is really fun. It's a way we can share the love of God, and it's a wonderful thing. It's actually even more rewarding when the person doesn't "deserve" it...ergo, someone is unpleasant, or has mistreated you, but you still show them love and friendship. That is IMPACTFUL!</p><p></p><p>In the case of the OP, those teens sound totally cool. For that matter, what's not to love about goofing off with a buddy at the grocery store and pushing a girl around in a shopping cart? I'd totally do that. I'm 40, married, with two kids. But I really feel like I identify more with young people, like late teens to early 20s...young, no family cares, no career, having fun and not worrying too much about the future. This doesn't mean you should be irresponsible, but I do think people in our culture get a little too wrapped up in life. They take it a little too seriously. You can be a mature, responsible person and still keep a chill perspective about everything.</p><p></p><p>Our culture is too stifled, too fearful, too isolated. People may seem aloof or unfriendly, but I believe many of us are crying out for human relationships. If some goofy teens try to high-5 you in the grocery store, high-5 'em back. Everyone needs social contact, and some people are just bold enough to reach out. I encourage everyone to nurture and cherish those connections!</p><p></p><p>Matt</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="dabigboy, post: 4007092, member: 50364"] Hmmmm. I really find it disheartening that our culture, in general, has so much inhibition against interacting with strangers. Sometimes I see it like the OP (someone gets annoyed at a stranger), but more often I see it as people being intimidated to interact, due to fear of rejection. I was just talking to my wife about this yesterday. The ironic thing is that Americans (and Okies in particular), in my experience, are generally really nice people, who will be your buddy if given half a chance. They are just afraid of being rejected, or of being taken advantage of. And I would say that the younger generation does NOT have this inhibition as much, which is encouraging. I've found that simply opening up and being friendly to people will go a long way. I try to be the guy who breaks the ice and puts people at ease....which is funny, because I myself have suffered with feelings of inferiority and SEVERE lack of confidence since I was in my early teens. Maybe I've taken the "friendly outgoing" approach as an antidote to my own personal issues, I dunno. I find making friends is really fun. It's a way we can share the love of God, and it's a wonderful thing. It's actually even more rewarding when the person doesn't "deserve" it...ergo, someone is unpleasant, or has mistreated you, but you still show them love and friendship. That is IMPACTFUL! In the case of the OP, those teens sound totally cool. For that matter, what's not to love about goofing off with a buddy at the grocery store and pushing a girl around in a shopping cart? I'd totally do that. I'm 40, married, with two kids. But I really feel like I identify more with young people, like late teens to early 20s...young, no family cares, no career, having fun and not worrying too much about the future. This doesn't mean you should be irresponsible, but I do think people in our culture get a little too wrapped up in life. They take it a little too seriously. You can be a mature, responsible person and still keep a chill perspective about everything. Our culture is too stifled, too fearful, too isolated. People may seem aloof or unfriendly, but I believe many of us are crying out for human relationships. If some goofy teens try to high-5 you in the grocery store, high-5 'em back. Everyone needs social contact, and some people are just bold enough to reach out. I encourage everyone to nurture and cherish those connections! Matt [/QUOTE]
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