Friday, September 10, 2010

Hello, Welcome

I recently experienced a bit of awkwardness and feeling "out of the loop"  that I haven't experienced in a long time.  I'm a fairly outgoing person and typically take the initiative to introduce myself in a new group of people.  But yesterday, I was participating in a new adventure, and I decided to hold back and just observe.

As I sat in the lobby, women came in two's and three's, hugging and greeting each other after a summer's absence.    I will admit that I got a bit lost sitting in a crowd of standing women, but most of them didn't even shoot me a glance.  Eventually a handful of women, each in her own turn, made a point of coming to me and saying hello.

I didn't take it personally.  However I did decide right then and there  that I would make a point to make someone feel welcome in an environment in which I knew most everyone, and he or she appeared to know no one.  Being a stranger in a crowd is a lonely thing.  The least I can do is reach out and say hello.

No comments: