A nice story.

Yesterday a woman wished me a Happy Thanksgiving and I politely replied with a "you too" or "happy holidays" or something.  She crossed the street she had been previously crossing and she stopped on the opposite side.  She turned around and said, "wait a minute!  I've been saying that to everyone I meet and you're the first one to respond with anything and not be thrown off.  Thank you."

To me, this was a nice moment in time and one that I've shared more than once with others in Chicago.  I like saying hi to people that say hi to me.  I have trouble NOT talking to people that approach me on the street, including yesterday while walking down Michigan avenue and Environmentalist Annie starts in asking how much time I have and I can't help but get out the sentences, "Oh, yes I am an environmentalist, but I work at the museum of science and industry in the smart home teaching other people how to be environmentally friendly and I have to go because my boyfriend and I are having a day.  Bye."  Ok, a long sentence.  

This is obviously a chronic problem.  One that maybe stems from coming from Rochester, MN, small-town big-city.  Everyone knows everyone and if they don't then they know your brother.  Or in my case my dad.  I say 'hi' to people.  I can't help it.  Sometimes people just want to talk and have no one to talk to.  

I'm still going to say hi to people.  Even if they're crazy.  I'm sorry.

Have a great day and thank you for taking the time to read!!!!

L. M. Burton