Originally Posted By Mary Poppins would you talk to a stranger in a mall's lounging area? I had some dim sum from the takeout restaurant at the mall yesterday. I sat down in a group of 6 lounge chairs to munch on my delectables. A middle-aged man who was seated at a smaller lounging area came over and sat right across from me (all the chair were empty). I finished off my dumpling and left to go. I think it is dangerous to meet people at the mall. I didn't intend to talk to a stranger. It would be different if there were people around. Anyway, my point is, don't try to talk to me at a mall as I don't think that's a sane way to meet new people. Who knows what was on his mind?
Originally Posted By iamsally I am not single but I talk to strangers just about anywhere and I do not think that would change if I were. I just like to meet people. Not without caution. I would not immediately go to *his place*; but I would chat. Maybe exchange emails as that seems safer than a phone number these days.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 If I were single, would I talk to strangers in a mall? Yes. I work in a mall. I happily talk to strangers there all the time. (And I mean "in the mall," not in the course of performing my work at my store.) For me, it might make a difference had you asked, "If you were female" as opposed to "If you were single." I think I'd be more guarded if I were a woman. Still, I think I'd view a mall as a potential place to meet interesting people. Malls are the modern-day "downtowns." Given all that, and without knowing any more than you initially posted... I would find it creepy that a guy would move from an unoccupied table to my table without doing some incredibly gracious "May I join you?" thing before plopping himself down. But that doesn't mean that everyone in a mall is a jerk.
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins "Still, I think I'd view a mall as a potential place to meet interesting people. Malls are the modern-day "downtowns." I guess one could go to a bar and pick up someone, so why not the mall? I don't know if I would talk to a stranger downtown either.
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins That reminds me, I met a lady married 40 years. I asked her where she had met her husband. She said she was embarrassed to say. I said, "Oh, don't tell then." But she went on to confess that they'd met at a pub.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 Well, there you go. NICE people go to malls. NICE people go to pubs. Let's not rule out the chance that nice people can meet each other at a number of different locales.
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer >>I am not single but I talk to strangers just about anywhere< iamsally, Like at the Hub in Dec. 2006? Some of the nicest and most interesting people I have ever met have been under less than opportune circumstances. Another factor is your comfort level. iamsally and I are both "line talkers" but we realize that not everyone is. I would like to think that "middle-aged" man was just a "line talker" and was only hoping for a little conversation but I also know that it's far better to error on the side of caution, especially for a woman. You made the right decision for you.
Originally Posted By officerminnie Just yesterday, I had a really nice conversation with a guy while waiting in line at the local redbox (we were the only two in line) and thought later, "Wouldn't it be funny to find your soulmate while waiting your turn at the movie vending machine?" Although due to the nature of my job I am way more leery of strangers than I should be, so that will likely never happen to me.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo You need to do what is in your comfort zone. For me however, I talk to strangers all the time, if I did not, I would get very lonely (living on the road can do that, and getting lonely is not good for my psychy). Most violence is carried out by people we know anyway (but caution is never a bad thing, my problem is I am too trusting of humanity). I would rather meet someone at the mall or grocery store or library than at a bar or nightclub (Sarah, if you are reading this, remember you were a friend of a friend, so picking you up in a club is acceptable ;-)
Originally Posted By KCCHIEF I talk to people all the time...anywhere...people always remember me also.
Originally Posted By beamerdog I like talking to people. So I'd probably talk to him, but I wouldn't go right to my car after lunch, and I'd make sure that I was walking out of the mall with some other random people. It does sound a little creepy, though.
Originally Posted By Ursula Yeah, I would have talked to him but him not asking if he could sit there would put me off and I would have left, too. Manners are a big thing with me. Oh, I'm not single! I just talk to everyone. I've been known to visit a few malls in my life (no, really!) and I've had some great conversations with people, mostly elders who don't seem to have anyone to converse with on a regular basis.
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins I must have subconsciouly picked up vibes from this guy. Normally I am quite friendly in line-ups at the mall. I think I err on the side of caution (officerminnie, I'm right with you). That is a very good point, to not go straight to your car after talking to a stranger. I've learned a few things from this thread. Taking my caution to the extreme, there would be no pubs or bars for people to socialize in. So that wouldn't be good. And if you meet in a pub, be proud of it! I'm just looking at things from the lone single woman perspective. Now if there are two or more women together, then you have much more freedom to strike up a conversation with a stranger. (Not that you will because as you know, women's conversations are so stimulating and engrossing, no outside input is needed).
Originally Posted By Sara Tonin I talk to just about anybody that talks to me...the other day I was in the craft store and a woman came round the corner and we had a conversation about which yarns we like best...I don't suppose it would bother me it it was a man...but there aren't that many guys hanging out in a craft store.
Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney ^^I am with Sara Tonin. I am naturally outgoing and tend to talk to eveyone, just about everywhere..lol. But you do have to go with your own vibes. I have gotten creepy vibes from people and went with them, but for the most part the folks I have spoken to over the years have been pretty good people.
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove >>I've been known to visit a few malls in my life (no, really!)<< ROFL! Ummm, this is a very good topic. I'm both very, very shy and then, when I am comfortable around you, very, very overboard. I'm trying to learn how to be less shy. Today was a good case in point: I was in a grocery store, in the checkout line, paying for my stuff. It was me, the checkout guy, and then, all of a sudden, a third guy. He goes: "Who is singing this song?!??!" (over the store's loudspeakers, or whatever you call it). I immediately said, "Paul McCartney and Wings." And he said, "Oh, you're right!" And I said, "Nope, it's not them, it's the dead one." "Ummmmm....." And the guy goes, "Ummmmmm....." And I shouted out, "John Lennon! It's John Lennon!" The guy shouts, "YES!!!!" All three of us burst out laughing, because it truly was kind of random. The guy thanked me, and I said that I was embarassed because back in the days I wouldn't have made such a mistake and I've gotten OldTimer's disease. He said, "Hey, I'm much older than you!" I said, "Try me!" He said, "1950." I smiled and said, "1955". The very young checkout clerk just shook his head at the two of us and smiled as I walked out of the door. Very warm fuzzy-ish for me and very unlike shy little old me. (Mary, I felt safe because we were in a grocery store and he looked like an "old" man to me! I thought he had me by at least 10 or 15 years!) I agree with the advice: follow your gut. And I also agree with the advice: sometimes you meet the nicest people in line.....even lifelong friends, like the Clones, who found themselves at Disneyland! xoxo (I know. This was a very boring story. But it was huge to me.
Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney Not boring at all...Thank you for sharing it. I love meeting new people..makes life more interesting..and makes new friends too! Of course my mother says that I have not shut up siince I learned I could talk...and when I was two I used to go up to complete strangers and asked to be picked up..then I would babble at them until they put me down...and the only difference is now I dont ask to be picked up..lol
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove ^^LOL! How cute! I've seen the ads for the new Wendy Williams show on our local Fox station and she said she came out of her mother when she was born and said, "How you doin?!?!?" It's cute. (Although I have never heard of her before.)
Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney Ah, she is a talk radio show host from the east coast. She does gossip, celebrity interviews, and some music. The line is her signature bit. I have not listened to her in a while. (I used to stream her show at work).
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove Would she be offended if I thought she looks kind of like a drag queen?
