Stranger Things

in #fun6 years ago (edited)

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Forgive the misleading header. This post is not to talk about the latest Netflix sensation where some photogenic young teens save the fictional town of Hawkins from an encroaching supernatural menace hailing from an alternate dimension. (Enough of my toilet habits.)

No, instead I would like to discuss our attitude to strangers. As in, people we have not yet met and not long-limbed monsters from the upside-down.

Today, I was returning from my lunch break when I was stopped by a wild-eyed fellow on the street clutching some manner of map.

My first thought was that he was out of luck if he was looking for Black Beard's hidden treasure as it was most surely not buried in the City Centre of Glasgow, Scotland.

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My second thought was to be on high alert. Scotland is known for many things, one of which the Scottish tourist board always tries to play down is the savage predatory nature of the urban Scots upon their fellow man.

I bounced around on my toes, readying myself for things to get a bit leery.

The chap gestured at me with his map and pleaded,

Excuse me, would you happen to know where this building is located?

Despite the fact that he had an accent as civilized as my own and was wearing a suit so sharp it was in danger of slicing a hole into another dimension, I was not so readily fooled.

I beg your pardon?

Was my wicked riposte whilst I watched his hands for weapons or movements that suggested an innate knowledge of Krav Maga.

This building old fellow, I can't seem to place it. I have an urgent appointment at two o'clock.

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He seemed genuine enough but this wasn't my first invite to a sexy party. I leant in a little so I could see the map more clearly but far enough back that a swung sock full of coins couldn't catch me on the chin.

Ah yes. I know that one. It's down the bottom of the street there and to the right... Oops, sorry, I mean left.

I waved a brawny arm in the general direction of the place in an ape-like display of masculinity. Just to emphasise I was not to be trifled with.

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You mean the left then don't you?

Oho! Well, well, well my little pirate treasure hunter. If you bloody well know where it is then why are you asking? I stepped back, readying myself to unleash a bag of testosterone-fueled punchy-kicky-fight mayhem.

He stared at me. Eyes wide.

I stared back like a fox would at a casually discarded kebab.

Thanks then.

He muttered before skirting around me nervously.

I watched him go. My eyes like demented gerbils.

Soon he was out of sight. I continued my walk back to the office. On the way, I had time to reflect.

Should I be more trusting of strangers? Should I have been nicer, perhaps invited him to tea? Maybe I should have shared a joke about the time I got lost in Venezuela and ended up trapped in a bin for many hours?

Whilst I thought of these questions, I was reminded of one of my colleagues who always had time for strangers and general deeds of goodness.

Right enough he has been robbed more times than I can count.

What is your attitude to approaches from strangers? Do you think we should all attempt to be more friendly and make the world a better place? Or is the Scottish way of open hostility the only sensible response in this age of modernity?

All pictures sourced from pixabay and in some cases subjected to various manipulations.

Authored by: @meesterboom



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Wow, what a wonderful feat of writing balancing humour and seriousness on such an equal balance as to make a level feel betrayed!

Excellent, thank you! This is a touchy topic, one that could become dicy fairly quickly. So, I'll tip toe my way into it like most Canadians would... ;)

My experience and understanding of history showed me that astringency would do well, on the short terms, with aggressive or misbehaving parties. Though efficient in such cases, it obviously is not sustainable a manner if one is to build community on the long run as long term interactions demands a behaviour of integrity as well but also a level of openness that will allow for the feeling of safety, on both part, to take place. Without it, there is no open space for learning as it is showed in neurological studies. Both physical and emotional safety must take place to create the precedent of open communication for relationships to grow. Using this technique would stifle and thus render the relationship unviable on the long run.

The philosophy by which this "communication" approach comes from is a close descendent of warrior cultures which entice each other in warring each other by the very fact of their philosophy and perspective on relationships. Some cultures, luckily, have learned from it and have moved toward more sustainable and healing ways allowing the potential to live peacefully and thriving within their culture as well as abroad, radiating of a warmth and openness, not to be confused with naivety, toward demeanours of all genres permitting and welcoming open communication, cultural expansion and free expression of true feelings.

To come back to the situation you lived by, you had a gut feeling that the individual wasn't right maybe and used a show of strength and austerity. This seems to have served you well in the past and, possibly in this situation too... Did it help you two build a stronger human relationship or build community in spite of the fear of being robbed? I understand that safety comes first, at what price in this case? Was the occasion robbed by the same token of a potential new powerful friendship, connection or of a stronger human bond that would one way or another on the long run benefit all humans???

As for your friend, maybe he has enough to let the robbers survive another day given them another chance to learn and grow out of the unhealthy ways by which thieves survive. When the occasions, social and/or physical and/or emotional environment become more placid, may they too grow out of their ways and be included in a community that will allow them to rightfully be a thriving person too.

Again, I want to thank you for this beautiful opportunity to share in laughter, learning and humanity.

All for one and one for all! Namaste :)

This is such a marvelous comment. I do agree with the sentiments within. We Scots can be such a ridiculously prickly bunch often unwarranted. It is good to riff on our ridiculousness! Namaste :0)

Thank you for your reply, your words are greatly appreciated. I guess maybe I should have underlined the matter of the "Art of War" where the #1 enemy to learn to deal with is the one within... Namaste :)

wonderful thanks for great comment

You are very welcome, it is a pleasure from this end too, namaste :)

Loved this! Especially as I grew up in Scotland. I can picture the scenario beautifully. I was always taught to be very suspicious of anyone in a city. It is funny though how much judgement we hold about people (and how it's subtley taught and passed on through the generations). I've thought about this a lot lately as I've been observing my own judgements with strangers - a real mix of blatant prejudice, intuition and probably energetic/karmic connection. I enjoy over-riding it to talk to random people but it's not always easy and I tend to revert to suspicion. Especially if tired, feeling vulnerable or in dodgy cities :)

Well met fellow Scot! It is a thing that is most peculiar. I was brought up the same way and it just sticks with you. Like you I try to override it but it's dashed hard!

Interesting story.
Having had many similar encounters, I've had the same reflective thoughts.
Sometimes it's not easy to feel out a situation, but with time, focus, and calmness, one gets better at anything.

I'm pretty introverted myself, so judging a situation to be a threat when it isn't is something I'm always working on.

It is something that has to be worked on isn't it. Good luck with the working on it!

I spent a good part of my life (some 20 years) travelling the world, mostly in the far east. When you subject yourself to new and foreign cultures, you are automatically on the defensive - that is human nature. It is a fear of the unknown. And not until you have spent enough time among a particular culture, will you begin to feel comfortable. The only real culture I ever felt totally safe in was Japan.

Good post always encourage us & welcomed also.It was awesome and congratulation because this post is forth most rewarded post.Foreigners sometimes have a good heart and can help us from the problems we experience.Thanks for being here! and supporting the platform! Looking forward to more of your work! And encourage us for using steem.And now you have got a new follower in me and also tell my steem friends for following you.
Your regards @skwth

Awesome story man. Personally I am not very trusting of strangers, but each to their own :)

You did just the right thing any well-cultured fellow should do. Absolutely no point been too nice to strangers especially in a first time meeting. You just never can tell.
You really got me hooked with your storyline.
You probably should consider story writing or perhaps movie directing..Lol
Great essay @adsactly

Thank you for that. I do like to craft a story now and then :)

You most welcome.
Can't wait to read your story

Well. Mr. Boom. You do get around. Tell me, do all Scots behave the same towards strangers? If so I just may have to abandon my on quarter Scots ancestry. My other three quarters do protest...

I do get around eh! Hehe, we do a little. It's a self defense mechanism! The only time we don't of it is a stranger from another country, we are ridiculously welcoming to non Scots!

A very entertaining question (well done). My short answer to 'approaching strangers' is this: It is soley dependent upon what part of the world you live in. Here in the Philippines, I rarely feel threatened by friendly and warm Filipinos, while growing up in Chicago, you would always be on the defensive. Now, to expound even more... do you present yourself with confidence or do display yourself as a target at 100 meters? Personality, attitude, and instinctiveness all play an important role in how one will react in any given situation. Then again, the Golden Rule should always apply.

I am supremely confident. It radiates out from me like a blast wave. ITs one of my greatest gifts :O)

A great personality asset!

There are so many ways to react to strangers. It is sort of like responding to yourself. You have to respond to thoughts, criticism, positive ideas, negative thoughts, spectacular life ideas, judgment of yourself and by others, and so much more on a daily basis! But it is the acceptance of all these things into one grand idea that what you tell yourself everyday will lift you up or tear you down. What you think about all day is what you end up manifesting. You are not a victim of your thoughts but instead a decipher. Therefore, if you see yourself in others, you are in fact deciphering them to make both parties happy - Yourself and your thoughts, or yourself and the STRANGER. Hope this makes sense for all of you.

You got lost in Venezuela? That is a hell of an interesting story!

A wild tale, thanks for reading!

A wild tale

Have you ever watch the Argentinian movie "Wild Tales"? (original title "Relatos salvajes")

If not, I strongly recommend it. You will laugh a lot and you will want to watch it again.

I second this recommendation. Is an excellent film!

That sounds like a splendid recommendation. I shall source it!

Maybe you can share it in a post :P

I may very well do :0)

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