and another thing

In describing my weird day yesterday, I completely missed talking about the WEIRDEST part! As I was arriving back from work, someone else was also pulling in and parking. Not super unusual; my work schedule is now much more standardized. And then he said hi, and we exchanged a few vague pleasantries, which is somewhat unusual but not unheard of.

And then he INTRODUCED HIMSELF, BY NAME, and he told me his wife’s name, and his kids, and which apartment they live in, and where he’d been when they moved in, and you could have KNOCKED ME OVER WITH A FEATHER. I have lived in this apartment complex for four years (move-in anniversary at the end of July!) and no one has EVER introduced themselves to me.

I have purchased Girl Scout cookies and Boy Scout popcorn, and once brought someone’s cat back to them when it escaped into the hallway. I’ve chatted about the weather, and cats, and held doors for people, and have had doors held for me. I’ve even been given vegetables from someone’s garden, because there comes a time when you’re willing to give *anyone* tomatoes and zucchini just to thin the crop a little.

But I’ve never had anyone introduce themselves — truly an apartment first! I now know more about that one neighbor than anyone else in the building.

(NOTE: Yeah, I know I could be the one to introduce myself. But let’s be real, if I haven’t done it in four years, I’m not gonna do it now.)

(Note 2: Surprisingly forthcoming neighbor also cheerily greeted other neighbors who were sitting out on their balcony, reducing the likelihood that their interaction with me was something to be concerned or wary about.)

Mirrored from The Marci Rating System.