Friday, May 21, 2010

On interest...

Perhaps I look exceedingly approachable and interested.
The other day while doing a shift at another library, I was approached separately by three of the full-time staff who engaged me in conversations about law school, Second Life, a son's search for an apartment to rent, utilities, FERPA certification, and the historical and modern stigmatization of birth mothers in adoption situations.
Fascinating, but why me? I don't know these people beyond their names (well, and now their Second Lives and FERPA certification and son's apartment search.) My theory is that you take someone who is already half willing to talk, show them the barest of interest, occasionally present a "Well you know you can call Duke Electric and they'll give you an average monthly bill for a given address.", and for the most part they are willing to share their life with you. Whether you like it or not.
And I'm not saying I don't like it. I do find it quite strange. But it can also prove a useful tool. But let's not forget strange...

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

The important question is, do you know have enough information to blackmail any of them?

luckeyfrog said...

I think I'm the same way, especially with substitutes. In trying to be nice, I must give them the impression that I care to talk to them at length about things like the cruise they're about to go on. Sorry, but I've got work to do!

Anonymous said...

ok Children- the secret here is to fain interest- while gathering info that may be useful in the future..... sigh, cry and even offer your life savings to these folks if need be... just log the into into Excel and... GEEZ are not we all the same... we care, we really do- it is just that we can not act upon all the problems we are told of... we can barely change our worlds, let alone everyone elses... but some day one of you will listen to someone to whom you can make a difference... that is worth all the blabber in the world...the world needs to cry on someone's shoulder... some days it has to be your shoulder even though your sorrows may greatly outweigh the cryer you are listening to...some day you will be glad you have been that listener
Mean old mamammyyyyy