Tell us a story, positive or negative about an interaction you had with a stranger in a public place?

Oh, boy, yeah. I could tell you a few stories but you'd think I was boasting and I'd have my account deleted. So, backing off and playing nice...

Back in 1988 my boss told me they wouldn't need me any more. I was 51, the field I worked in was dying, and I had never once been unemployed before. I was shattered.

At lunch time I was dawdling along a city footpath feeling sorry for myself when a young girl, aged about 17, must have seen my face and gave me the biggest smile. By the time I got rid of the self-pity and smiled back she was gone and never knew what a difference she made to me. From that moment I started to think more positively.

I hope she's having a wonderful life.

A random huge guy came up behind me & grabbed my neck really hard. I thought he was going to strangle me. I turned around & he said "oh, wrong person." He let go & just walked away.

I never believed in "the right to bare arms" but now I'm starting to. When I get payed after christmas, I'm going to buy a gun instead of what I was planning to buy. (dvds, etc.)

Was walking out a del Taco in Sacramento  and some old guy (OK, about my age but still an old guy)  was walking in.  I was wearing a T-shirt from an Arizona university given to me by my daughter who got her MS there.  This was back when Sheriff Joe was riding high on his racial profiling and the State Legislature was working hard on anti LBGT laws.  As we passed, he said "I like what you're doing.  Keep up the good work". 

Took me a second to realize he was assuming, based on my Arizona T-shirt.  I responded something to the effect that "They are a bunch of f**k*ng bigots and pimples on the a** of humanity.  I kept walking and he just stood there in shock.  Old fool!

Last year I had to fly from Orlando to Nashville. The airline was yhe one where you pick your seat when you board. I forgot to check-in early so I was one of the last people on. As I board I notice the miidle seat in the second row was empty. There were two little old ladies on either side. I gladly took the seat. We chatted a bit before taking off, and then we each took a book out to read. We then put our books away and continued chatting for the whole flight. One had recently had surgery and her doctor had just gave her the go ahead to get back in her Zumba class. She was in her 80s. She enjoyed the class not only for the exercise, but it gave her a break from her husband. The other lady also had recently had surgery and was heading back home. She had come to stay with her sister during her recovery. They were great fun to talk to. We even exchanged recipes.