6
Apr

Chit Chatting For Career Conversations, Safety, & Weak Ties

 

Chit chatting with a wide variety of people
in a wide variety of situations
cultivates the confidence to create connections
with specific people in specific situations
for career conversations.

Doing some reformatting before adding new stories.

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“With a smile and a kind word they (True Warriors) make friends wherever they go, and they never carry the mark of a victim.”

“Stated simply, the more friends you have in the world, the safer you are.”

Shawn T. Smith
Surviving Aggressive People: Practical Violence Prevention Skills for the Workplace and the Street
Pages 2 and 15.

~~~~~~~~~~

“As Granovetter pointed out, the people whom you spend a lot of time with swim in the same pool of information as you do. We depend on friendly outsiders to bring us news of opportunities from beyond our immediate circles –
and so the more of those acquaintances we have, the better.”

Ian Leslie
“Why your ‘weak-tie’ friendships may mean more than you think”
BBC
July 2, 2020

~~~~~~~~~~

“But in a place such as Silicon Valley weak ties are gold.”

Eric Weiner
The Geography of Genius: Lessons from the World’s Most Creative People
Page 303

 

Bookstores

As I entered the bookstore, a man was talking to the owner. I heard him name a woman I know. He then talked about her ethnic background.

Me: “I’m her neighbor.”

I named the village we live in.

Flustered Man to Bookstore Owner: “Is that near ————- village?”

Bookstore Owner: “Yes.”

Whatever you say in public goes into the ears of bystanders,
who might know more than you think they know.

 

Car Dealership

Forgotten Fix
May 4, 2023

In the waiting room, a decades younger woman looked at her watch. I asked how long she’d been waiting.

“2 hours.”

She brought her car in for an oil change and forgot about a recall fix.

She was happy to leave before my windshield wiper replacement was finished.

~~~~~~~~~~

A Sign From Heaven
November 9, 2023

I had a conversation with another woman waiting for repairs. Her car was 12 years old.

Woman Car Owner: “When I came to buy a car, that car was sitting by itself. No other cars were around it. The sun came out and a ray of sunlight came down directly on that car. It was like a sign from heaven. I walked inside the dealership and said I want to buy the car with the sun on it. I did not ask about brand or price. I’ve loved it ever since.”

Her face glowed while she talked about her car.

Spranger Guiding Value Clue
Seeing beauty and unique experiences into an object
Harmony

 

Courthouse

Self-Defense Need
February 2023

I took my grandson to the clerk of courts office for a document he needed. We had to pass through security with a guard in attendance.

Me: “Have you ever found anything?”

Security Guard: “Yes. Empty ankle holsters.”

Note to self: Time for an online search about spotting ankle holsters.

Concealed Holster Test – Can You Tell Who’s Concealed Carrying?

How To Tell If Someone Is Armed

 

Dental Clinics

Right Place
January 7, 2025

A new dental assistant was in her second week of training.

Me: “How is it going?”

New Dental Assistant: “I’m enjoying the job. I worked as a server for 5 years, then decided I wanted to work in the dental field. I worked at a lab making and repairing dentures, then decided I wanted to work with people  I’m very happy working with people.”

Me: “I’m  glad you found your place.  I think too many people become doctors because their parents want them to become doctors, not because they want to be doctors. Those doctors aren’t good for patients.

New Dental Assistant: “I agree.”

New Dental Assistant wants to work with people in the dental field, so she’ll be good for patients.

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Outgoing
People-oriented
High I Influence

 

Garden Center

Lilacs
April 27, 2023

A man was wheeling multiple plants out to his truck.

Me: “What kind of plants are those?”

Man: “All lilacs, white and purple.”

Me: “I have burgundy lilacs.”

A pleasant conversation with laughter and smiles.

~~~~~~~~~~

Seeing Equality
May 5, 2023

I arrived at the garden center shortly after it opened for the day to buy big bags of soil. I made eye contact with both of the cashiers while saying I needed help getting the bags to my car. The cashier with Asian features helped me.

We had a conversation about the wide variety of people who come into the garden center sharing an interest in growing things. We agreed it would be beneficial to acknowledge that differences don’t matter when interests is shared.

~~~~~~~~~~

Loving Husband
May 15, 2024

In the outside area, I saw a woman pushing a cart with several flower pots for hanging.

Me: “Those will be beautiful.”

Lucky Wife: “My husband and I were driving past a business when we saw a wooden stand with several arms for hanging flower pots.  I admired the plant stand. A few days later, we went for a close up look at the wooden stand. My husband took measurements. Two days later, I had the same plant stand. These are the same flowers that were on that stand.”

Me: “Your husband loves you!”

Lucky Wife: “Yes, he does.”

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Husband purposefully pleased wife
High S Steadiness

~~~~~~~~~~

Cart Accident Benefit
May 15, 2024

Standing in line at the same outside area, the woman behind me grazed my leg with her cart.

Cart Driver: “I’m sorry! I thought I missed your leg.”

Me: “It wasn’t bad hit. Those are pretty flowers.”

Cart Driver: Picking up one pot with a white flower, “This is a double impatiens that looks like a rose. I’m happy I found it.  They’re hard to find.”

The plant was beautiful.

Me: “I’m glad you bumped into me, because now I know to look for double impatiens!”

 

Gas Stations

Frozen Car Door Solution
January 2, 2024

I drove to the gas station this morning, but couldn’t get gas. I forgot that recent freezing rain meant my gas door would be iced closed. I’d forgotten to put a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol in my car for freezing rain days. I spray the alcohol into the cracks around the door and wait a few moments. A neighbor had suggested alcohol for a frozen car door lock, and it worked with frozen car doors, too.

I went back for gas later this evening after warmer temperatures had thawed my gas door.

Me: “I was here this morning, but my gas door was frozen. I couldn’t get it open.”

Attendant: “I nearly pulled a door handle off my car after a freezing rain. I had to crawl through the passenger door until I could afford to fix the door handle.”

Me: “I’ve learned that spraying frozen car doors with rubbing alcohol unfreezes them in just a few minutes. I just forgot that my gas door was probably frozen this morning. I’ll get a small spray bottle to keep in my car for the rest of the winter.”

No more door handle replacements for Attendant.

~~~~~~~~~~

Cloud Or Flying Saucer?
May 11, 2024

While filling my car with gas, I saw a cloud that had a face showing surprise. I finished with the gas, stuck the nozzle in the pump, and walked around the pump to take a photograph. By then the clouds had shifted. Walking back to my car I saw a short old man with a long white beard,

Me: “The cloud had a face.”

Old White Beard: “I thought you might have seen a flying saucer!”

Me: “That would have been better!”

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Friendliness
Humor
High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Podcast Thoughts & Real Life
June 14, 2024

Driving to the gas station, I listened to an Art of Manliness Podcast about neighbors and community, #176. Guest Marc J. Dunkelman talked about the vanishing middle ring of social life.

A man got out of his car on the opposite side of my pump.

Man: “Good morning.”

I told him about the podcast.

Me: “The host was saying we’ve lost the art of talking to our neighbors and I get out of my car to you greeting me.”

Man: “That’s why we live in a small community.”

Me: “I make a point of getting to know my neighbors. When I had a recent water leak, 4 neighbors helped me with it.”

I said the name of my village.

Man: I live just up the road from you.

Me: “I thought you looked familiar.”

We exchanged names. I do know him, but I know his wife better.

Me: “Say hello to your wife.”

Neighbor Up The Road: “I will. Have a good day.”

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Friendly
Outgoing
High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Grandma Satisfaction
June 14, 2024

Going inside the gas station right after the conversation above, I started a conversation with the attendant I had known for years.

Me: “How often do you see your grandchildren?”

Attendant: “I’m picking them up this afternoon for a farm open house. They’re spending the night.”

Attendant had another job at a business where her boss purposefully treated me badly. I no longer speak to him, but I make a point of being friendly to her. We enjoy seeing each other.

~~~~~~~~~~

Something Instead of Nothing
July 3, 2024

Me: “Do you have to work on July 4th?”

Attendant: “Only in the morning.”

Me: “Will you get holiday pay?”

Attendant: “I think they give gift cards.”

Me: “At least you get something.”

Attendant\t: “That’s what I thought.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Brain Overload
March 8, 2025

I worked on my taxes before running errands. After filling my car with gas, I took out cash to match the number of gallons, not the amount of the sale. Attendant asked me for the amount of the sale.

Me: “I was just working on my taxes.”

Attendant: “No problem. Your brain can take only so much before it gets overloaded.”

 

Grocery Stores

Gardening
May 24, 2023

I was in a checkout line in front of a decades younger man.

Me: “Do you plant anything?”

Decades Younger Man: “I rototill for a friend who gives me some of the harvest.”

Me: “I moved an indoor hanging strawberry plant outside today.”

We wished each other happy planting.

Spranger Guiding Value Possibilities
Helping
Satisfying a need
or

Usefulness
Gaining food from a time and energy investment
or a
Helping with Usefulness blend
Helping to get a return

~~~~~~~~~~

Shoplifting
May 4, 2023

2 attendants stood near a self checkout line.

Me: “Do you see much theft?”

Female Attendant: “It’s bad.”

Me: “Years ago I worked at a small specialty store in Chicago. A white man wearing a business suit shoplifted a small statue from Africa. It was there before he came in. It was gone after he left. He was the only customer in the store.”

We agreed that shoplifters are not always who you think they are.

~~~~~~~~~~

One Cashier
May 11, 2023

Only one cashier was checking out a long line of customers.

Me: “Are you short-staffed?

Cashier: “The store reduced staff hours. A lot of employees want more hours, but we’re not getting enough hours to pay our bills.”

I felt sad for all the employees who wanted to earn money to pay their bills, but couldn’t.

~~~~~~~~~~

Tired Worker
May 18, 2023

Walking into the store, a worker asked me how I was.

Me: “I’m good because I slept well. Did you sleep well?”

Worker: “No, but I’m getting off soon and taking a nap.”

Me: “Have a good nap.”

Worker: “Thank you.”

~~~~~~~~~~

My Bad Parking
May 20, 2023

I drove to a small grocery store and parked right next to the building. I parked a little too wide because the space was next to a tent with hanging plants. I saw my tires on the line, but told myself I would be quick.

When I came out a few minutes later, people were getting out of their car on the other side of the parking space I had blocked.

Me: “I didn’t park very well.”

Other Customer: “It happens.”

Me: “It happens more in the winter when there’s snow on the ground than in the spring .”

Other Customer: “You lost that excuse!”

We laughed.

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Positivity
Humor
High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Equality In Laughter
June 15, 2023

I sent a text while in the store. My iPhone changed ‘going to’ into ‘Giotto’ for some strange reason. Laughing, I approached a white female employee and a Black male employee to share the laughter.

White Female was closer, so I held my phone for her to see first. We laughed a bit while Black Male looked off to the side.

I made a point of holding my phone so Black Male could read the text himself. We also laughed a bit.

It was an easy way to demonstrate equality to the bystanders in the same aisle.

~~~~~~~~~~

A Score For Smiles
July 1, 2023

Shared Reality In A Single Sentence
(YOU Section, Synchronizing Similarities)

In line at a small grocery store, I noticed a magazine cover with the face of Jackie Kennedy and a story about her secret life. Jackie Kennedy died in 1994.

The older female cashier rarely smiled at me, but I pointed to the magazine cover.

Me: “That was written for people our age.”

Older Female Cashier smiling AND chuckling: “I noticed that. I wondered if they had a slow week.”

Got her to smile! SCORE!

To be continued…

A Floor Mat Not Doing Its Job
July 15, 2023

I walked into the grocery store where the unsmiling cashier finally smiled with me over a magazine cover. She watched me walk in and walk onto a floor mat.

Older Female Cashier: “You nearly tripped on that mat. It has one job to do and it has trouble doing it. All it has to do
is stay flat on the floor, but it won’t.”

Me laughing: “Maybe it needs training.”

Formerly Unsmiling Cashier went from not smiling with me to smiling with me to joking with me!

DOUBLE SCORE!

DISC Behavior Style Blend Clues
Reserved at first
Friendly and joking after shared reality
High S Steadiness / High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Believing The Cashier
July 13, 2023

In the checkout line, I saw fruit flavored chocolate bars.

Me: “Have you tried those chocolates?”

Cashier: “I have. They were good. I’ll check you out again of you go back for some.”

I did go back for the chocolate, and I did go through Cashier’s line again.

Me: “I’m believing you!”

Cashier:“Thank you!”

~~~~~~~~~~

Hair Colors
October 20. 2023

The cashier had corkscrew hair that was brown on the top half and dark pink on the bottom half.

Me: “Do you color your own hair?”

Cashier: “I do.”

Me: Are you going to try any other colors?”

Cashier: “Eventually, but I’m sticking with the dark pink for now.”

Me: “It looks very good.”

Cashier: “Thank you.”

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Unique hair color
High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Brotherly Fun
February 09, 2024

A cashier had stand up hair on top of his head. It was colored a combination of orange and yellow.

Me:  “Do you ever get negative comments about your hair?”

Cashier: “No, they’re mostly positive. Only my brother gives me trouble.”

Me: “I think trouble is what he can expect from a brother.”

Cashier: “I agree.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Breaking Stereotypes
February 9, 2024

The white family in front of me had a cart full of groceries. The big husky father stood behind the cart, feeding the tiny child in the seat. The mother stood at the front of the cart, unloading everything.

I walked up to stand between the father and mother

Me: “I’m impressed to see you breaking stereotypes. You, the woman, are unloading the cart and you, the man, are feeding the baby!”

They responded positively.

The cashier was Black and smiled as he listened.

Black Cashier: “Teamwork matters more than stereotyped roles.”

No one was behind me, so Black Cashier continued talking as he checked me out.

Black Cashier: “I’m frustrated with the stereotype that Black fathers are absent. My father worked for the railroad. My mother had her own daycare business in our house. My father came home and cooked dinner while my mother drove the children home.”

Teamwork instead of stereotyped roles.

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Talk about teamwork
Talk about family
High S Steadiness

~~~~~~~~~~

Unwelcome Find
February 27, 2024

The woman in front of me in line was wearing green rubber boots with white polka dots.

Me: “I like your boots.”

Boot Wearer: “I put them on once a year at maple syrup time. I shake them out before I put them on in case something crawled in over the last year.”

Me: “I spend a lot of time with an elderly woman. I went to her house one winter day to take her out. When I went for her boots, I smelled something dead in that room. I could not find any small corpse. I put the left boot on my friend, and all went well. But when I tried to put the right boot on, Elderly Woman protested.

Elderly Woman: “I feel something in there.”

Luckily, I turned the boot upside down instead of reaching inside.

Dead mouse.

~~~~~~~~~~

Mother’s Day Reminder
May 12, 2024

The grandma-looking woman in front of me in line was all dressed up.

Me: “Are you dressed up for Mother’s Day or for church?”

Dressed Up Woman: “It’s Sunday, so I’m dressed up for church. But no one in church said anything about Mother’s Day, so I stood up and wished every mother a Happy Mother’s Day.”

The wisdom of grandmas!

DISC Behavior Style Blend Clues
Dressing up for church
Taking the spotlight to maintain tradition
High C Conscientiousness / High I Influence
or
High I Influence / High C Conscientiousness

Spranger Guiding Value Clue
Attending church every Sunday
Belief

~~~~~~~~~~

Something In The Air
June 20, 2024

My purchases came to $20.39. I pulled out coins and a $20 bill. I counted through my coins and handed 39 cents to the young cashier. An older cashier stood by, obviously training Young Cashier. Young Cashier looked at the coins with confusion. I realized I hadn’t given her the $20 bill and handed it over.

Me: “Sorry, I forgot I hadn’t given you the $20.”

Young Cashier looked confused in a new way.

Young Cashier: “You don’t have to give me the 39 cents if you give me a $20.”

Training Cashier leaned over.

Training Cashier: “She gave you the 39 cents because she wants a single bill back.”

We all laughed.

Me: “There’s something in the air that made us both lose our ability to think.”

We all laughed again.

~~~~~~~~~~

Colorful Shoes
August 2, 2024

The woman in front of me in line wore multi-colored shoes.

Me: “I like your shoes. I’d like to wear multi-colored T-strap shoes.”

Woman: “They’re children’s shoes. Children have big feet now.”

I can look in more places for multi-colored T strap shoes!

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Colorful, attention drawing shoes
High Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Full Acceptance
December 21, 2024

A female employee wearing a beaded hijab stood near the exit door. I knew she was an employee because she wore an employee name tag.

Me: “I like the beading! Have you experienced any stereotyping because of your hijab?”

No. She moved to the United Stated 6 years ago. She applied for jobs in 3 cities, saying at every job interview:

“This is who I am. I am Muslim.”

All 3 companies hired her.

Her English was halting, but I could understand what she said to me.

Me: “I’m very happy that you experienced so much acceptance.”

Hijab Wearing Employee: “Thank you. Merry Christmas!”

After leaving the store, I realized I hadn’t asked where she came from. But where she came from isn’t what matters. What matters is that she feels acceptance now that she is here. And she does.

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Positivity about herself
Friendliness
Enjoying conversation
High I Influence

Spranger Guiding Value Clue
Determination to follow the traditions of her faith
Belief

~~~~~~~~~~

Old But Not Stupid
December 23, 2024

I walked past an older man wearing a colorful jacket.

Me: “I like your jacket.”

Older Man:Thank you.”

Older Man kept talking so I stopped to listen.

He had worn his jacket at a big mall. A young woman came up to him to say she liked his jacket. He thanked her and moved on.

Half an hour later, he walked past a kiosk. The young woman who had admired his jacked was inside the kiosk, selling some kind of cream. She called him over.

Young Woman held up a container of the cream and started telling Old Man how wonderful it was. She reached for his hand to apply some of the cream. Old Man pulled his hand away.

Young Woman: “You’re breaking my heart!”

Old Man said no thank you and walked away.

Old Man: “I may be old, but I’m not stupid.”

I wondered if Young Woman’s pay came only from the sales she made.

DISC Behavior Style Blend Clues
Colorful jacket
Starting a conversation,
Offended by uninvited touch
Anger about Young Woman’s attitude
High I Influence / High D Dominance
or
High D Dominance / High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Food For Teenagers
February 15, 2025

I walked into a line behind a man with a young child in the cart. The conveyor belt was covered with food, mostly bags of fruits and vegetables.

Me: “Your family eats healthy food.”

Father: “The food that went through first was not so healthy. I have teenagers who want quick to eat food.”

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Enjoying talking about his family
Loyalty to teenager desires
High S Steadiness

~~~~~~~~~~

Planning Ahead
February 27, 2025

The store was crowded today. I realized it was crowded because people were shopping before the economic blackout planned for the 28th. A female customer and I discussed the crowded store. She said it was crowded everywhere.

Me: “I’ve been buying ahead on my basic necessities since the November election. Not many workers will be out picking tomatoes this year.”

Female Customer: “I noticed a young man in another store buying dozens of canned goods. He said, ‘I’m buying them while I can still afford them.’ Pretty soon, we won’t be able to eat. I could afford to lose a few pounds.”

We live in a rural area, so we see people picking crops. I took home more of the canned tomato goods I use frequently.

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Young Man making a plan
High C Conscientiousness

~~~~~~~~~~

Lemon Love
March 6, 2025

Approaching a freezer, I saw a woman with a bag of lemons.

Me: “What do you do with your lemons? I make lemon paste.”

Lemon Lady: “I just like to drink lemon in water.”

Me: “Lemons are good for your lungs.”

Lemon Lady: “Yes, they are. Have a good day.”

 

Homes

Understanding Each Other’s Lives
June 20, 2024

An older plumber and a younger plumber came to my house to fix a leak.

Me: “How many more jobs do you have today?”

Older Plumber: “Three small ones, then a big one. Why do you ask?”

Me: “I’m curious.”

After they finished the job, I explained more.

Me:This country would be more effective if we understood each other’s lives.”

Older Plumber:What kind of work do you do?”

I said I was currently doing home healthcare, but was also setting up online self-study courses. I told both plumbers about my childhood spinal injury that made earning money difficult. I asked them to tell any children in their lives to never pull a chair out from under anyone. Some people are instantly paralyzed if they land the wrong way.

Older Plumber: “You were lucky.”

Me: “I was.”

More understanding, one chit chat conversation at a time.

 

Hospitals

Healthy Soap
August 6, 2024

In the rest room, I was washing my hands. The soap dispenser announced that “Healthy Soap” was inside.

A woman came out of a stall and approached the sink. Her body moved continuously, particularly her head. Instead of focusing on her physical disorder, I focused on our shared activity, washing our hands. I pointed at the soap dispenser and said:

Me: “Aren’t we lucky we have healthy soap?”

She looked at the label.

Woman: “If it makes us laugh…”

We shared a laugh.

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Talking about laughter
High I Influence

Library

Scooter Fun
May 24, 2023

As I walked toward the library, I stopped to look at a scooter in the bike rack. It was a triangle with rounded corners.

I left the library at the same time as the scooter owners, a little girl with her father.

Me: “I’ve never seen that kind of scooter before.”

Father showed me the long dog leash he had attached to the front of the scooter for pulling it when Daughter didn’t feel like propelling it. I noticed the ankle brace on his leg.

Father: “I sprained it running with the scooter.”

Daughter giggled as the scooter bounced off the sidewalk onto the road.

I laughed with her.

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Pleasure from talking about his daughter
High S Steadiness

 

Meat Market

Ending Water Retention
May 18, 2023

When I picked up my bi-weekly order of 14 chicken thighs, a new employee checked me out.

New Employee: “Why do you buy so many chicken thighs?”

I explained that my stressful life had left me with water weight problems and water in my inner ears. Taurine in chicken thighs work with magnesium citrate from supplements and potassium from fruits and vegetables to release excess water from cells.

New Employee can now pass the information on to other customers, creating a little more happiness in the world.

I have lost water weight without dieting and my hearing has improved.

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Curiosity
High I Influence

 

Medical Clinic

Best & Brightest
May 18, 2023

In the waiting room, I watched a news segment about a man who had installed 15 life vest kiosks along a river in Richland County, Wisconsin. A 5 year old girl not wearing a life vest had drowned in that river. Police have never pulled a body wearing a life jacket out of that section of the river.

I told the receptionist about this wonderful project. We agreed that the best and the brightest are ordinary.

Spranger Guiding Value Clue
Installing life saving equipment to prevent accidental deaths
Helping

 

Neighborhood

Making Work Fun
Spring 2023

My neighborhood is building a low stone wall along our shared property line. I went out to see what the three workers were doing. I said I was just curious and asked about some planks on the ground.

The man in charge came from the other side of the long hole to explain what the wood was for.

Me: “Do you enjoy your work?”

Man In Charge:  “Sometimes”

Other Worker: “If not for these two, it wouldn’t be any fun at all.”

I was happy to bring positive feelings between the coworkers into the open.

Possible DISC Behavior Style Blend
Using the word “fun”
Continuing the conversation
High I Influence
Talking about essential relationships / teamwork
High S Steadiness

~~~~~~~~~~

Fun At Work
December 15, 2023

I was at a neighbor’s house when his septic field was being replaced. I watched the workers for a bit.

Me: “Do you considered your job fun?”

Worker: “Oh, yes! I get to work outside!”

Me: “You get to dig things up.”

Worker: “Oh, yeah! You can wreck a lot of things.”

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Enthusiasm
Humor
High I Influence

 

Parking Lots

Fun Grandma
May 3, 2024

I saw a grandma drive into the lot in a PC Cruiser convertible. A small boy sat in the back seat. I approached the car.

Me: “You’re a lucky boy to be riding around in a convertible with your grandma. You have a fun grandma.”

Grandma: “He’s a fun grandson. This is my fun car.”

Me: “I’m happy that other people can see a grandma driving a fun car.”

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Driving a fun car
High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Motorcycles
June 9, 2024

As I approached my car, a white haired man with a mustache was getting ready to put his helmet on before riding his motorcycle again. I told him that when I was 25, I had a motorcycle boyfriend.

Kurt and I met in May and he told me right away that he was moving to San Diego in November. We were too different to maintain a long term relationship, but we had a lot of fun that summer, my motorcycle summer.

Motorcycle Man’s wife use to ride with him, but now she has medical problems. He can take only short motorcyle trips alone. He’s trying to talk his wife into getting a convertible or jeep, but she keeps saying she’d be too cold. He keeps pointing out that she rode the motorcycle for years.

I said to remind her that that they would be riding in an open car together. He smiled.

I hope she listens.

DISC Behavior Style Blend Clues
Riding a possibly risky motorcycle
Wanting driving time with his wife
High D Dominance /  High S Steadiness
or
High S Steadiness / High D Dominance

~~~~~~~~~~

License Plate Clue
July 23, 2024

I parked next to a big pickup truck. The license plate said Arizona. A tall man approached the truck. I asked if he was from Arizona. Taken aback, he said yes. I asked what he was doing in Wisconsin. He used to live here.

He looked at his license plate and realized I knew he was from Arizona because of his license plate.  He was obviously relieved.

I asked him what he does in Arizona.

“Living the dream.”

I congratulated him, then went inside the thrift store.

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Suspicious
Reserved
High C Conscientiousness

Spranger Guiding Value Clue
Inner peace
Harmony

~~~~~~~~~~

Appreciated Compliment
July 23, 2024

Coming out of the thrift store, I walked into the parking lot where I had the conversation with the man who had an Arizona license plate.

Moving past a group of 6 women, I said,

“I see fashionable older women shop here!”

1 of the 6 said,

“I take that as a compliment!”

I said,

“It is a compliment. We know how to shop!”

Laughter and agreement.

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Positivity
Humor
High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~

Dangerous Working Condition
August 2, 2024

As I was walking towards the grocery store, I passed a young man barely pushing 19 carts (I counted) towards the store. I asked him if he normally pushes that many carts.

“No. I’m only supposed to push 8.”

I asked him why he was pushing that many.

“Because we’re behind.”

I said I hoped he wouldn’t hurt himself.

I wrote a Google review for the store about the incident, saying that if I ever see it again, I will file a report with OSHA.

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Loyalty to the job
High S Steadiness

~~~~~~~~~~

Sleep
October 17, 2024

Waiting outside my granddaughter’s school, I saw a woman yawn big, arms over her head big.

I walked over to her and asked when she would get to sleep next.

She sleeps mostly well, but she’s been taking naps lately and she seems to be more tired taking naps. I said that if I nap every day, I have trouble sleeping at night.

She has her best days when she sleeps 7 hours at night without naps.

~~~~~~~~~~

Asking For A Cop Stop?
February 27, 2025

Walking past a big pickup truck, I noticed the rear license plate was upside down. I stopped to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing. Yep! Upside down.

I pointed the upside down license plate to a man walking up behind me. He stopped and looked at it in shock.

“That’s a good way to get pulled over!”

The man did wanted I hadn’t thought to do. He checked the front license plate.

Right side up!

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Humor
Curiosity
High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Liking Big Cars
March 3, 2025

I approached a woman who was probably in her 80s as she prepared to get into an SUV. I said it was fun to see old ladies driving big cars.

Old Lady SUV Driver likes big cars. She had to sell a pickup truck when her husband died. She really liked driving their pickup, but getting up into it was getting harder, so she sold it.

Old Lady SUV Driver feels better in big cars. She was a little surprised because she sees old ladies driving big cars and trucks all the time. I told her I grew up in the Chicago area where old ladies didn’t drive big cars or pickup trucks.

Old Lady SUV Driver understood.

I own an SUV, but it’s a small one with good gas mileage. Rural living often requires larger vehicles.

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Feeling better in big cars because of
having more control on the road
High C Conscientiousness

Post Office

Tattoos
March 26, 2024

The postal worker had a tattoo on the front of her neck, a flower design like a necklace chain.

I asked what position she had to hold her head in to get that tattoo.

She had to think about it because she got that tattoo years ago. She rested her head far back.

I asked how long she had to hold that position.

As long as she could stand it.

I told her I liked her tattoo and she thanked me. We wished each other a good day.

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Tattoo in a prominent place
High I Influence

Possible Spranger Guiding Value Clue
Feelings from people seeing her tattoo
Harmony

Retail Stores

Satisfying Oneself
May 11, 2023

I saw an elderly woman looking at flower bouquets. I encouraged her to buy one for herself.

“It’s the only way I get them!”

I told Elderly Woman to make sure she bought herself flowers.

Elderly Woman picked out a bouquet of red flowers.

Spranger Guiding Value Clue
Buying flowers for the feelings they give her
Harmony

~~~~~~~~~~

A Tall Woman
May 25, 2023

I collect stereotypes for my 5 blog posts listing stereotypes.

Standing behind a tall woman in line, I asked her about stereotypes she’s faced. Only stereotypes that she would be good at playing basketball and volleyball. She’s not good at either sport.

Tall Woman had mostly dated must shorter men, so she saw no stereotypes about short men. She’s 3/4 of an inch taller than her husband.

She also has excellent hearing, much to her son’s regret.

When she finished checking out, Tall Woman thanked me for the conversation.

Negative Stereotypes Behind Bad & Ugly Gossip: People In General

Negative Stereotypes Behind Bad & Ugly Gossip: Workplaces

Negative Stereotypes Behind Bad & Ugly Gossip: Romance

Negative Stereotypes Behind Bad & Ugly Gossip: Ethnic, National, & Racial Identities

Negative Stereotypes Behind Bad & Ugly Gossip: Poverty

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Enjoying conversation
Open minded about dating shorter men
High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Hope
December 14, 2023

A young man walked up to the self-checkout next to the one I was using. He bought a bouquet of flowers. a vase. and a card.

I wanted to encourage Young Man.

“I hope she likes them.”

Young Man smiled at me.

“I hope so, too.”

He was finished before I was, and wished me a good day before walking away.

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Friendly
Open to conversation
High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Caffeine Persona
January 11, 2024

The customer in front of me seemed to be having fun with the young man who was cashiering. He seemed to be having fun, too.

When it was my turn, I asked Cashier if he liked his job.

“I’ve had a lot of caffeine.”

I asked if he’d had a lot of caffeine because he didn’t get enough sleep the night before.

“I got good sleep…and I’ve had a lot of caffeine.”

I hope to checkout with Cashier again to see what he’s like without a lot of caffeine.

~~~~~~~~~~

Smiles For Children
May 9, 2024

I smiled at a baby in a a cart that passed me. Then I smiled at the little girl in line in front of me. I said to the mother,

“I missed smiling at children when we had to wear masks for COVID.”

She agreed and said,

“We just looked angry when we tried to smile.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Demonstrating Networking For Success Step #3: Look for common ground.
June 2, 2024

Waiting my turn in line for a busy service person, I turned around to watch people walking past. I saw a Black woman pushing a cart, one daughter sitting in the cart while another daughter walked in front of the cart. All wore red blouses. I was also wearing a red blouse.

I walked up to the mother and said,

“I like your red tops! I’m wearing a red top!”

Black Mother smiled and said,

“Yes! You ought to come with us!”

The 2 girls learned from a stranger how to look for common ground. They learned from their mother how to respond  positively to common ground. They now have examples to follow when networking for their own success.

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Friendly
Outgoing
Open minded
High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Enjoying Freckles
July 8, 2024

The young cashier had freckles all over her cheeks. I told her that when I was younger I had freckles just like hers. I said I miss them.

She loves her freckles, too.

“I hate it in the winter.”

I hoped her freckles could stay dark for her so she can continue to enjoy them.

~~~~~~~~~~

German Shepherds
October 2, 2024

The woman in front of me in the checkout line had 3 huge bags of dog food in her cart. The cashier asked the customer what kind of dogs whe had. German shepherds. Cashier asked if her dogs had any health problems. Dog Owner said no. Cashier said every shepherd she knew about had health problems, including her own. Dog Owner said hers had none.

I asked Dog Owner where she got her dogs. From a breeder in Arizona who breeds dogs for police departments in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

I also asked how long the 3 bags of dog food would last. About a month.

~~~~~~~~~~

Painted Nails
October 6, 2024

The sage citizen cashier had fingernails decorated with different Halloween designs. I admired them, saying I was pleased to see someone her age with decorated fingernails.

She said she has fun doing it. She has fun with her fingernail artist as well. He kept teasing her about “painting all of that” and “on all 10 nails” when she went to his salon.

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Attention getting fingernails
Using the word “fun”
Enjoying conversation
High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Memory Lapse At Any Age
November 13, 2024

I walked up to a cashier in his 20s. Young Cashier asked how my day was going.

“I left my cell phone at home plugged into my computer to charge.”

Old Me asked Young Cashier how his day was going.

“I got confused. I worked on Monday, then went shopping yesterday. I came in today and was confused about whether I was supposed to work today.”

Now I have a story to tell when people stereotype me as a forgetful old woman.

~~~~~~~~~~

Animal Delight
November 29, 2024

The woman checking out ahead of me put a pile of small plastic wild animals on the counter.

I said I imagined some child being delighted with the animals.

The animals are a Christmas present is for her one year old granddaughter. Granddaughter loves setting the animals on windowsills. She made her first trip to the zoo recently, and ran back and forth to see all the animals.

I said I would think of her granddaughter on Christmas Day.

~~~~~~~~~~

Rude Mother
December 9, 2024

I stood behind my friend as she was checking out. The customer service desk was opposite the checkout line. A man was busy with that attendant while his toddler son stood next to him. A woman carrying a 6 or 7 year old girl approached the man and toddler for a brief conversation, then disappeared to the left with her daughter.

Toddler suddenly ran our way, headed toward the interior of the store. Father paid no attention. Mother was out of sight. I grabbed hold of Toddler’s arm as he passed me and waited for a parent to pay attention.

Moments later, Mother came around the corner. As she approached me, she said I could let go of Toddler’s arm because

“He’s fine.”

As Mother carried Toddler past me, I told her I didn’t want him to disappear. Mother responded with a curt “Thank you.”

Cashier saw everything. After Friend finished, Cashier leaned over the counter and asked:

“Was that woman rude to you about her child?”

“Yes!”

“Then she would watch her children!”

I agreed.

Spranger Guiding Value Clues
Mother felt her image was threatened
Rudeness
Position

~~~~~~~~~~

Same Jacket
December 21, 2024

2 men were the checkout line in front of me. I knew they were together because they were talking to each other. I don’t often have chit chats with men in checkout lines, so I tried to think of a way to start a conversation with them. Then I realized they were wearing the same jacket. I had an opener.

“It looks like you’re wearing the same jacket.”

“We are! We look like we work together, but we don’t.”

They like the jackets because they are sturdy and rugged. I asked if that kind of jacket is also made for women. The brand is Carhartt, and they do make jackets for women.

We then talked about juice because I was buying 3 cans of pineapple juice. It’s good for preventing colds. They drink V-8 every day.

I said,

“We’re a healthy lot!”

They agreed.

As they left I thanked them for talking to me. I said this is the way you learn what to buy, talking to people.

They agreed and thanked me for the conversation as well.

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Outgoing
Friendly
Enjoying conversation
High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Super Saturday Worse Than Black Friday
December 21, 2024

After the men wearing the same jackets left, I asked the cashier how she was doing, since it was the last Saturday before Christmas. She had just come on her shift and was busy, but would get a lunch break.

I said it looked busy.

She said that Super Saturday was busier than Black Friday had been.

I wished her an Merry Christmas when I left.

~~~~~~~~~~

Black Friday Worse Than Super Saturday
December 21, 2024

At the next store, I asked the cashier how she was doing. It was steadily busy.

“I’m doing okay.”

I told her what the cashier at the other retail store said about Super Saturday being busier than Black Friday.

“Black Friday was busier here than today is.”

I wished her Merry Christmas, too.

~~~~~~~~~

Few Headlights On A Foggy Day
December 27, 2024

On my way to the store, most cars and trucks had no headlights on in thick fog. I asked a customer next to me if the experience was the same for her.

It was. She was shocked.

I wondered why.

“I think a lot of people put their headlights on automatic. I put mine on automatic, but I turn my headlights on in fog.”

I said that was probably it!

She agreed.

“If I was a copy, I would stop every car!”

I said I would write a post on Facebook when I got home. I did.

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Procedure for headlights
Talk about authority
High C Conscientiousness

~~~~~~~~~~

Widows Supporting Each Other
February 27, 2025

As I walked towards the store, I came near to a woman also walking towards the store. Because of the wind, she said getting into the store would be easier than getting back to our cars. I agreed.

She said she had lost her husband in the last year. I told her I was a widow, too.  We discussed staying single instead of getting married again. Our choices.

She likes attending an event in my village, so I gave her my phone number so we can meet up when she comes out for it. We hugged before we parted.

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Starting a conversation
Emotional openness
Determination to stay independent
Friendliness
High I Influence

 

Restaurants

Taste Buds
December 2, 2024

My friend and I sat at the bar. She ordered a sweet old-fashioned. Driver me drank apple juice.

I told the bartender that my friend and I both like sweet wine. I said I don’t have the taste buds for dry wine. I also said that people who are snooty about their wine tastes merely have the taste buds for dry wine.

Bartender said she doesn’t have the taste buds for dry wine either. She gets headaches from dry wine.

~~~~~~~~~~

Sharing Reality
January 1, 2025

Shared Reality In A Single Sentence Example #1
(YOU Section, Synchronizing Similarities)

A few days before this restaurant conversation, I had an uncomfortable phone conversation with the manager. After my friend and I sat at the bar, Manager and several servers came and went mixing drinks and serving food at the bar. I could feel Manager felt uncomfortable near me, but didn’t know how to start talking to me.

My friend and I had been at the restaurant for one young woman’s first day on the job. During a break I asked Young Woman if this was her first restaurant job and if she’d had any rude customers. She had worked at a golf club.

“It was a lot of old men.”

I knew what she’d experienced. I told her that when I was her age, I had done the same work. I said I had been called a waitress. I asked if she was called a waitress or server.

Manager was near the bar at the time and heard my question. Our shared reality gave him an opening. He said the job opening ads used “server / bartender” and “bartender / server” to identify the position. The night shift included a bartender, but the day shift did not. All lunch servers had to mix drinks for patrons.

I asked Manager if he remembered when the terminology went from waitress to server.

“No, I don’t, but it was way past time.”

Manager did not look me in the eye at all during this conversation, but he responded to our shared sense of reality to create a respectful relationship between us.

~~~~~~~~~~

Owner Deserves A Compliment
March 8, 2025

The owner of this restaurant stops in during some of my visits. I watch his employees to see if they’re afraid of him. I see them laughing and talking and going about their jobs easily. No fear to my eyes.

Tonight I asked Bartender if I was right, that none of the employees are afraid of the owner.

“No one is afraid of him.”

I said I was thinking of complimenting him on having employees who like him the next time I see him.

“He would like that.”

Business owners who have happy employees deserve positive feedback.

~~~~~~~~~~

Pink Or Blue Or Purple?
March 8, 2025

Pink tie wearing Restaurant Manager reminded a female server that today was International Women’s Day. I told him I was proud of him for mentioning that.

I said that in the 1910s in the United States, pink was the ‘strong’ color for boys and blue was the ‘soft’ color for girls.

“I believe that. Pink is my favorite color, especially a strong pink against a dark background.”
(Dark pink tie with black shirt tonight.)

“But I also like purple.”

I said men are stereotyped as not liking purple.

“I find that hard to believe. It doesn’t make sense, especially since purple is the color of royalty. I like really deep purple.”

I said I did, too.

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Eye catching outfits
High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Something Positive Out Of A Negative
March 8, 2025

A server had braids on the back of her head on each side. I asked if she had braided her own hair, because the braids looked very neat. She had.

I asked how long she’d been braiding her hair that way.

“Since COVID. I decided to figure out how to do my own hair.”

I responded:

“So you made something positive out of a negative!”

She smiled and said:

“I did!”

Spranger Guiding Value Clue
Figuring out a solution
Knowledge

Schools

Knees
June 21, 2024

I took my granddaughter to her for a Bible summer camp afternoon. As I walked in, I saw a young teacher’s assistant wearing short shorts, all the way up the thigh shorts.

On my out I stopped to talk to the principal. I said I’d seen the young woman wearing shorts. I told him that I had attended an all girl Catholic high school in the 1960s. We had to wear uniforms.

“If we showed our knees, we got into so much trouble!”

Principal’s response was to wonder

“what could have happened…”

…if people had seen our knees.

 

Thrift Stores

Cleaning Out The Store
May 25, 2023

I was leaving a thrift store as an old man rode up on his bicycle. He asked me if I cleaned out the store.

I listed the 5 items I bought.

“You did clean out the store!”

I laughingly apologized and went on my way.

DISC Behavior Style Clues
Outgoing
Curiosity
Humor
High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

Liking Only Some Attention
May 25, 2023

I noticed that a mother had pink and purple tints in her one-shaved-side hairstyle. Her young daughter’s shirt had pink and purple on the front.

I said this was the best mother / daughter coordination I’d ever seen. Pink & Purple Hair Mother told her daughter to thank me.

I happened to stand behind them in the checkout line. I pointed out the color coordination to the cashier. I could tell that the Pink & Purple Hair Mother was not happy about what I said.

Despite her attention-attracting hairstyle, Pink & Purple Hair Mother did not like the attention I was drawing to her.

DISC Behavior Style Blend Clues
Eye catching hairstyle
Reserved
Social manners
High C Conscientiousness / High Influence
or
High I Influence / High C Conscientiousness

~~~~~~~~~~

Visiting The Cat
June 8, 2023

I visited a thrift store, but found nothing.

A man and woman were walking into the store as I was leaving. I said I hadn’t found anything and wished them luck.

The man laughed and said,

“I’m just here to visit the cat!”

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Humor
High I Influence

~~~~~~~~~~

30+ Year Old Stereotype
July 13, 2023

I noticed a woman who looked familiar, so I talked to her. She was the identical twin of a woman who had worked at the local university. We talked about the university.

During our conversation, Twin suddenly said the name of a woman who had worked at the university more than 30 years ago. She called the woman a prostitute and claimed that the woman had slept with the chancellor to get her unique position.

I was speechless from shock.

Another student and I had done an independent study project in grad school with Stereotyped Woman. That student friend had been employed at the university while taking classes.

After getting home, I contacted Grad School Friend, wanting to know how Stereotyped Woman had been hired so I knew what to say if her name ever came up again. Twin told me about a friend who spread ugly gossip everywhere she went.

Grad School Friend explained that people in unique positions are recruited by search committees. It just so happened that Grad School Friend was on the search committee for that unique position.

Plus, I found information online saying that Chancellor had recruited the woman to take the university position. He apparently gave Stereotyped Woman’s name to the committee so they could offer her the position. At the time, Chancellor and Stereotyped Woman lived in different parts of the country.

Now I know what to say in the event I ever hear similar ugly gossip about Stereotyped Woman again.

I’ve also decided what to do if anyone else ever speaks an ugly gossip stereotype to me.

“I’ll check up on that and see what I discover for myself.”

Use this story to protect yourself.

You can never tell who someone knows just by looking at them.

Twin used ugly gossip about someone I had worked with because she assumed I did not know the victim of her ugly gossip trashing.

Trash anyone and you risk trashing them to someone who knows them.

Is the trashing worth the risk to you?

Plus, people who use ugly gossip about anyone are capable of using ugly gossip about everyone, including you. Participating in someone’s ugly gossip about other people gives them permission to trash you with ugly gossip.

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Implying rule breaking
High C Conscientiousness

~~~~~~~~~~

Playing During Checkout
October 27, 2023

The man in front of me paid with cash. The cashier checked to make sure the bill wasn’t counterfeit. I asked if she’d ever gotten a counterfeit bill.

“No.”

Male Customer joked that Cashier didn’t realize how we were working together and I was distracting her while he committed a crime. We now knew that this hadn’t happened to her before, so it would be easy to put one over on her.

As Male Customer walked away, I told him it was fun playing with him.

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Humor
High I Inflluence

~~~~~~~~~~

From Spit To Cheers
November 16, 2023

I was in a checkout line behind an elderly gentleman holding a Mickey Mouse jigsaw puzzle. We both liked the bright colors.

He buys jigsaw puzzles for his granddaughter with autism. Sometimes, Granddaughter looks at a puzzle and shakes her head. He returns that one and buys a different one.

He also buys jigsaw puzzles for veterans, who often don’t like his choices either.

I asked Elderly Gentleman if he was a veteran. He was drafted into the Army during the Viet Nam War.

Elderly Gentleman took an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. last month. When the veterans landed after their long day, 1000 people were waiting at the local airport to cheer for them. He said it was much better than when Americans spit on drafted soldiers returning in 1967.

I told Elderly Gentleman that I saw a local news report about their return and was happy to see the cheers.

Honor Flight Network

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Repeated attempts to please granddaughter
High S Steadiness

~~~~~~~~~~

Colorful Word
April 18, 2024

I found capri pants that were a cross between blue and purple. I was looking for purple capri pants, but liked this color and knew it would look good with my green and purple blouse.

When I checked out I asked the cashier what color she thought the pants were.

“Periwinkle.”

I said I wouldn’t have thought of that word. I asked Cashier if she’s an artist.

“I try to be.”

Cashier is more of an artist than I am.

~~~~~~~~~~

Following My Feeling & Learning Something New
May 17, 2024

I felt I should go to a particular thrift store. I found 2 pieces of clothing I’d been looking for.

Standing in line, the woman in front of me commented on my bruised thumb. I had closed a screen door on it and the bottom half was purple.

Talkative Customer told me that she had badly bruised a thumb when a log she threw into a wood stove bounced back at her, hitting her middle finger against the stove rim. Her finger throbbed badly and sticking it into ice water only made the pain worse. She sterilized a needle and poked 3 holes into her thumbnail.

“The blood spurted out.”

The pain stopped. She learned that technique from her mother during her rural childhood.

I had never heard of poking holes into a fingernail. I told Talkative Customer that icing my thumb hadn’t helped either. The pain finally stopped a while after I put arthritis cream on the nail and around the nail.

Talkative Customer than showed me a book she found in the store about home remedies to try before going to the doctor. I took a photograph of the cover with my cell phone.

Before You Call the Doctor: Safe, Effective Self-Care for Over 300 Common Medical Problems
Bobbie Hasselbring
Michael Castleman
Anne Simons M.D.

I told her about apple cider vinegar for burns. I discovered the healing power of apple cider vinegar on a semester abroad in Europe. We stayed in a dorm room in Hungary. Each room had a sink with a glass shelf and mirror above it. Because Hungary is a poorer country, the edge of the glass shelf was rough and sharp, not sealed in any way.

One night, I bent forward to rinse my face off after washing it. I hit the sharp edge of the glass and gashed my forehead, a small gash, luckily. I was using aloe vera gel and apple cider vinegar on my face, and applied them despite a minor sting. I continued to use the gel and vinegar every day. The gash healed without a scar. Curious, I tried applying apple cider vinegar to bug bites, rashes, and burns. It helped every time.

Then one day I made a stupid decision. I put honey in a measuring cup in the microwave to warm. When I took the measuring cup out, the bottom fell off and boiling honey poured over my left hand. Remembering the apple cider vinegar, I poured vinegar into a rubber glove, put my excruciatingly painful left hand into the glove, and rubber banded it onto my wrist. As soon as my hand went into the vinegar, the pain stopped.

Fearing for my fingernails after 2 hours, I took my hand out of the glove. No pain. Half inch high blisters, but no pain. I soaked my hand in apple cider vinegar for half an hour a day until the blisters subsided. Still no pain. I kept the blisters covered with band aids to protect them. As my skin healed, it stayed red for weeks. The redness faded. No one could look at my left hand today and think I had that kind of burn.

Talkative Customer was happy to hear a new self-care solution.

We exchanged names and shook hands.

“Aren’t you glad you met me?”

I said I was.

On the way out of the store, Talkative Customer said something about television preachers talking about prosperity, but that prosperity wasn’t always about money. I agreed with her. I said I have neighbor prosperity. My neighbors have my back in all kinds of ways. As I write this, I have a leak in the roof over my kitchen. Three of my neighbors are helping me get my roof back to leak proof. A fourth neighbor cleaned ceiling pieces off of my kitchen floor.

I live alone in a big house because a relationship ended and children moved on. Years ago, one of my friends asked if I was going to move to a smaller house. I told her I would never move away from my neighbors. The neighbors who have my back range in age from early 40s to late 70s. My back is covered for years to come.

Talkative Customer agreed with my idea of prosperity.

Chit chatting leads to more than career conversations. It also leads to social safety nets.

DISC Behavior Style Clue
Talkative
High I Influence

Spranger Guiding Value Clue
Home remedy information
Knowledge

~~~~~~~~~~

God Arranging Payback
August 19, 2024

I wanted to try on a sweater I found. The changing room was gone.

At the register I asked about it. They had to remove the changing room because of too much theft.

I said people see famous people getting away with human justice, not realizing that God creates justice, otherwise known as “payback.”

I told the cashier about 3 god-on-earth pharaohs who used their power to erase Tutankhamun (King Tut) from ancient Egyptian  historical records. I said I had watched a documentary about King Tut’s grave. The pharaoh following King Tut had buried Tut in a grave than the normal pyramid.

An “act of God” flash flood later buried Tut’s tomb. The flood left 1 to 2 meters of rock-filled sediment on top of Tut’s tomb. The sun baked that sediment layer into concrete, hiding tomb until Howard Carter discovered it in 1922.

King Tut is now the most famous pharaoh in history, despite the make-him-disappear efforts of 3 god-on-earth pharaohs.

I wrote a blog post about payback from God, which includes the story of the 3 pharaohs.

No one gets away with anything. You can read how I got payback for writing a nasty letter.

~~~~~~~~~~

 

© Paula M. Kramer, 2023 to the present
All rights reserved.
Updated July 1, 2025.

 

 

 

  Chit chatting with a wide variety of people in a wide variety of situations cultivates the confidence to create connections with specific people in specific situations for career conversations. Doing some reformatting before adding new stories.