The Social Hermit: Growing Comfortable

It has been well over 6 weeks since I have arrived at Berea. That means 6 weeks of homework, tests, stress, and work. As I said in previous blogs, I could not imagine growing used to talking at least a hundred new people each week, but that has changed. It would be a stretch to claim that I am now completely immune to the stress of talking to customers, but I have grown quite used to it, and possibly even the smallest bit fond of it. Now, how could such a change occur in such a short amount of time? Well, it wasn't the amount of time that passed that matters, it was a certain person who interacted with me (once again).

A few weeks ago, I had a labor meeting in which we discussed the usual topics of income and other horribly business like topics. But, unfortunately, we also discussed how the new workers need to talk more. When that was pointed out, all eyes fell on me, and all I could do was look down in embarrassment because really, how could I deny that when it is so inexplicably obvious? So, instead of retreating into my shell by saying "oh, well I am shy, that's the way I have always been that that is how I shall remain," I decided to give being social at work a try. The next day at work I was full of smiles, greeting people in a painfully cheerful (and probably terrifying) way. Unfortunately, as the day wore on, I saw no change in the attitudes of the customers. That was true, until this little old man came in. He came in the store about at the end of the day, and I was tired of trying, but I pushed myself and gave him my best shot at being a social creature. We exchanged the normal "hi's" and "hello's" and such of normal conversation, but then he just started to talk. He talked about all kinds of things, and asked question after question, not only about my job, but also the college, my future, and family. He was a wonderful person, and turned out to be the retired coach of both the University of Tennessee and University of Florida football teams. My interaction with him made me more comfortable with customers since then because now I know that every time I speak to people, I may come across a "diamond in a coal mine" person, who provides a personal interaction that is not easily forgotten.