I have always enjoyed meeting new people.  I really love to learn about those who are different than I am.  There is so much to gain by making friends in all walks of life.  It helps when people try to understand the world around them. It broadens our perspectives.

I truly feel that if people would try to get to know each other on a personal level in our daily lives, that the problems we all have could be lessened in our own lives.  But, of course, that requires a reason or a mutual interest by way of introduction.  That’s where the challenge lies.  Many people are not comfortable in these situations.

I have experienced encounters where my friendliness was not appreciated or wanted.  But there can be many reasons for a person to react in this way.  That’s why I try not to let it bother me.  Sometimes, if I just back off a little, but still act friendly, a person will come around and we will even become friends.  Also, it could be that the other person was just having a bad day and was acting uncharacteristically.  I find that it is always worth it to stay open to new relationships.   

Meeting new people requires a willingness to take a chance.  With all the negativity around us, we really need to find positive ways to interact with one another.  Sometimes, it seems that these situations have to be created with so much polarization in our environments. Prejudices have a role in this.  There are many reasons for people to be wary of a stranger.

None of this has discouraged me from meeting new people.  Meeting people who are different than I am always attracts me.  But that kind of openness can make people wary too.  It can make some folks wonder “Why does she want to know me?  Is she going to try to sell me something?”  I think that’s because being friendly can be intrusive to some people.  It all depends on the previous experiences in a person’s life.   

Nevertheless, I will continue to enjoy meeting new people as long as I remain aware of the world around me.  It is always worth my time and energy to connect with people.  It’s just who I am.