August 8, 2008

There's something about Rachel.

~ Prostate Cancer treatments
~ Daughter who says cuss words she learns in daycare
~ Getting a divorce from his wife, but still thinking about having kids with her
~ Bad case of the gout
~ Hates it when she has a 15 day period
~ Son is allergic to peanut butter
~ Can't stand that the daycare doesn't teach her child to tie her shoes
~ Husband doesn't really beat her so much as "take charge" of her

These are all very personal stories total strangers have shared with me.

Total random strangers.

It happens at Wal-Mart, the doctor's office, across the pump at the gas station. Location doesn't matter. I even got to hear the life story of the Dell support guy who came to my house to fix my computer.

I don't start these conversations. I'm not nosey. I don't ask questions. It's as if I have a sign on my shirt requesting random conversations with people.

Don't get me wrong, this doesn't bother me. Not one bit. It's just funny that it always happens to me. I'm sure some of my friends can share stories where they've been with me when this happens. It's random and odd.

JD says it's because I have a caring spirit. Whatever it might be, I'm just glad that people see me as someone they can talk to. Whether they know me or not.

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11 comments:

The Phillips Place said...

WOW those are some STORIES! when i first started reading, i thought they were about you...until i got to the "divorcing his wife" one. haha! until then, i was like, holy cow, rachel has prostate cancer! whew SO glad they weren't stories about you :).

but still, hilarious!

The Phillips Place said...

ok, i realized it sounds like i think all of the stories are hilarious, and some of them are actually really serious! and sad. i just meant it's funny that you wind up being the listener so much! but you knew that...

Shannon said...

Truly, this happens. Remember the fabric lady in Wal-mart who likes to tell you about her two year old daughter who puts in hair clips and looks in the mirror and says "pretty pretty". Or the SEVERE psychological disturbances of a certain local store owners family member. Or the deli counter guy who was willing to let you try EVERY meat he sells if you would stay and talk longer. It's a gift really.

Anonymous said...

I unfortunately have the same problem. It was particularly rough when commuting via public transportation. I would even try the don't look up approach (a step further than the no eye contact one) and unfortunately, that didn't save me either.
Just the other day I met an old lady in Target. (The first time out since the hospital.) She told me about all 6 of her children's BIRTHS... in detail.

Emily said...

Thats funny for you but sad for them. I mean how does people get so comfortable enough to just spill their whole story with a complete stranger. Maybe its a way of not being rejected and letting things off their chest without being judged. Maybe you should start wearing a shirt with the following sayings:

Do I look like your therapist?

I can only please one person per day, and today is not your day. Tomorrow does not look good either.

If you have something to say, please raise your hand and put it over your mouth!

You need someone listening to you for it to be an actual conversation.

Just an idea. Hee Hee!

j.d. said...

Wonder why it never happens to her when I'm with her...

swilek said...

i have missed you on here..glad you are back..to answer your question about what you should blog about, well...we need you up here in Canada to blog about Canadian Idol!! I keep looking for your updates and then I realize, oh yeah, she's in the States!!!

Heather said...

I would take that as a good sign that strangers open up to you. I think it means that you portray that you are a good person and have a good spirit!

Jesstern said...

I get that same thing often. One time I was on an airplane and seated next to a married guy in his 40's. He started telling me about how he was on a business trip to a city where his ex-girlfriend was and that they had been in contact. His wife didn't know about it. He was basically talking to me about how he was debating whether or not he should go have an affair.

I of course counseled him not to and to throw her number away, but what the heck?! That was interesting plane ride for sure.

Some people just have the need to spill. I guess it's an opportunity to be a light though. :)

KDoug said...

It's because you carry cat food with you all the time.

Anonymous said...

I thought they were about you too at first. I thought well know wonder she has not been blogging!!!

Hmmm maybe I can bump into one day as a total stranger and tell you about my ingrown toe nail! lol haaaha haa