Talking to Strangers

Don’t talk to strangers. That’s what we were told when we were younger. But as for me, shy that I am, I really don’t talk to anyone that I do not know. My friends can attest to that.

So anyway, this afternoon, when I went it the train, I sat just near the door so that I won’t have a hard time alighting the train when we arrive at Guadalupe Station. Luckily, the area that I chose has aircon so it’s just perfect as it was oh-so hot outside. When I was settled on my seat, a lady sat beside me and commented that she’s happy about the aircon. I acknowledged her and she started talking about the heat and how it gives headache and I was just nodding and smiling since I don’t know what else to say (see, I’m not that conversationalist with strangers). Then she asked me something, and I thought she was asking about that time so I answered her, “5 o’clock po” while pointing at my watch. And she said, “Ah hindi, tanong ko kung nurse ka,” to which I answered, “Ah, hindi po, veterinary medicine po.” She started asking me about veterinary stuff, such as how we handle/restrain dogs, how about when dogs are pregnant (she was surprised that dogs can undergo caesarean section—did I say this correctly?), have I handled snakes and monkeys, and so on.  She then asked where I go home. When I told her where, she remarked that she lives also on the same municipality, but on the opposite end. And our topic became Ondoy, how she saw some places near their house to be very flooded and stuff. When we reached Guadalupe Station, I walked ahead of her.

And now I was thinking, should I have said goodbye to her? Because I didn’t, I walked ahead of her, way ahead of her actually. Although I have not said much, I had fun talking with her. And I guess it’s not that bad to talk to strangers, but of course, you just have to watch out what you are to say.