In the past 3 years I have had complete strangers approach me or me and my wife in public and try to start conversations. It's happened 4 or 5 times in Target, Giant and in the front of gas station. They are persistent and fucking weird. I assume it’s either a pyramid scheme or swingers, but still want to know what's going on. Has this happened to anybody else?

Is your wife hot? That could be a factor.

Well, believe it or not, there might JUST be a handful of nice people left in Fairfax.

Amen to that Lawman. Good lord, what has the world come to when you think someone is being "weird" just because they are trying to be nice.

4 times in 3 years? LOL. Wow! You're clearly being targeted by some kind of FFX-wide scheme. Be on alert!

I find that while in line, at times, I tend to make small talk. This is often perceived in two different ways. 1) Either the person responds back with a comment and then says nothing else. or, 2) The person barely responds to acknowledge you, then says nothing else.

I don't feel like I'm trying to pry into these people's lives, but just trying to be nice. Trying to realize that there might just be that last bit of humanity left out there. Does it exist outside of our work circles? Does it exist outside of our "trusted" social circles? Why are people so "guarded" when out in public, yet willing to blabber their whole life on Facebook?

Why?

Boy, Rog, you sound like a scared suburbanite...I'm glad you're not my neighbor. Sometimes I get seven kinds of crazy and engage my neighbors in small talk...I hope I didn't terrify them...

Carbo Man Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Boy, Rog, you sound like a scared
> suburbanite...I'm glad you're not my neighbor.
> Sometimes I get seven kinds of crazy and engage my
> neighbors in small talk...I hope I didn't terrify
> them...


+1

No, it's pretty weird in this area for someone to try to engage you in conversation while you're shopping.

Maybe I should have been more specific. The last occurance was yesterday, at a gas station. While I was at the pump a guy came up talked about my car and asked if I liked it. He mentioned that he and his wife were thinking about buying one. He asked questions, I answered them. I friendly conversation. Seemed like normal/nice guy. At the end of the conversation, as I'm walking towards the gas station store, the guy asks "are you open to making other sources of income" or something along those lines. I said no and kept walking.

These are not standard conversations or small talk. All 4 occurances have had similiar questions with the people asking what I do, if I like what I do, do I want to make more money, and in general being incredible cryptic and persistant.

I find this incredibly weird and was wondering if it has happened to anybody else. I'm not anti-social. It has nothing to do with that.

I Find Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why are
> people so "guarded" when out in public, yet
> willing to blabber their whole life on Facebook?
>
> Why?


Because if someone talks to you in public in the DC area there is a good chance they are looking to take your money somehow. Sorry, it is just a fact. Rarely are people trying to do that on Facebook, and if they are it is easy enough to ignore or report.

If you are pumping gas and someone walks up to you who is not pumping gas to start a friendly conversation, seriously what do you think the underlying motivation for talking to you is? Why are they talking to you at a gas station while you are stuck in one place at the pump, and they aren't pumping gas themselves?

as the above post indicates. was at a gas station off 95, thornburg i think, and some clown starts making "small talk", then launches in with his amway/nuskin/etc. spiel. i'm like, uh, no, C U L8R pal!

yes, it does seem to be an odd "complaint" about people seemingly being nice, friendly, and making random small talk with complete strangers while in a store on in line somewhere. the rub is, far too many times those apparent random acts of niceness are nothing more than a ruse, or cover, for the real intent, which is to try and sell something.

it's too bad these types of people and selling tactics have made the general populace wary of making conversation with people, not out of fear, but rather the annoyance of getting some high pressure sales pitch.

similar to a knock at the door. it used to be that meant somebody, a friend/neighbor or what not, was coming by to visit. somebody you knew, and/or was expecting. these days, unless you know for a fact somebody is coming by, a knock or the doorbell ringing means only one thing - the person on the other side is thumping a bible, offering to do tree work, wanting donations, asking for info for some political whack job group, or selling something you have zero interest in buying.

Seems to be anyone striking up a conversation from this area only wants my money. The only time that people seem to talk to me without wanting to reach into my wallet is when they're asking for directions on the Metro. I've actually had a few nice conversations while waiting for the train with them but then the next day all I get the same homeless guy who asks me for money again :(

I've had people approach me while I'm shopping to say that they recongnize me. I clearly don't know them, but talk to them briefly just to be nice. Some ask me for my name and I only give them my first name now. Some clown actually looked me up in the phone book and called me and pitched a pyramid scheme.

Don't talk to strangers when you're shopping. They all have ulterior motives.

Amway or some other MLM scheme


Rog Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Maybe I should have been more specific. The last
> occurance was yesterday, at a gas station. While
> I was at the pump a guy came up talked about my
> car and asked if I liked it. He mentioned that he
> and his wife were thinking about buying one. He
> asked questions, I answered them. I friendly
> conversation. Seemed like normal/nice guy. At
> the end of the conversation, as I'm walking
> towards the gas station store, the guy asks "are
> you open to making other sources of income" or
> something along those lines. I said no and kept
> walking.
>
> These are not standard conversations or small
> talk. All 4 occurances have had similiar
> questions with the people asking what I do, if I
> like what I do, do I want to make more money, and
> in general being incredible cryptic and
> persistant.
>
> I find this incredibly weird and was wondering if
> it has happened to anybody else. I'm not
> anti-social. It has nothing to do with that.

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

Stephen J. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've had people approach me while I'm shopping to
> say that they recongnize me. I clearly don't know
> them, but talk to them briefly just to be nice.
> Some ask me for my name and I only give them my
> first name now.

It happens enough to me that I have a go-to fake first name and area of the county I live in, just like I have a fake zip code to give cashiers that don't need it for credit processing. Or if I really don't feel like talking to someone I'll just make some fake sign language moves and they go away.

"In the past 3 years I have had complete strangers approach me or me and my wife in public and try to start conversations. It's happened 4 or 5 times in Target, Giant and in the front of gas station. They are persistent and fucking weird."


That a a big reason why this area sucks to bad socially.

What is "weird" about people talking to each other -- especially when the biggest complaint about this area is how stand-offish and antisocial folks are?

Granted, you were most recently approached by an Amway/Quickstar pitchman, but there are genuinely pleasant people who are willing to buck the NoVA trend and engage in conversation with "strangers."

Conversationalist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Granted, you were most recently approached by an
> Amway/Quickstar pitchman, but there are genuinely
> pleasant people who are willing to buck the NoVA
> trend and engage in conversation with "strangers."

We know that, but we have NoVA bullshit meters that tell us the difference between a sales job and standing in line at the store innocently commenting about something.

Tell you what, be the example. Post your full name, address and birthdate in this thread if you are so social and trusting, and we are so antisocial and non-genuine. Do it or you are a hypocritical jerk and much worse than us, at least we are honest about why we hesitate with these people.

I start conversations with people all the time, especially in
the line at Costco and it's usually something to do with what
they're buying. (just curious) I sometimes wear a Married With
Children (NOMAAM) t-shirt and people are always asking me where
I bought it. No, I'm not selling anything or pulling a con but
just a friendly midwesterner who doesn't jump out of his skin
if someone speaks to me.

If you want a totally new experience, try getting on a public
transit bus in Minneapolis. Complete strangers talk to each other
all the time and think nothing of it.

whenever these assclown conversationalists start this shit with me, I reach for my CCW, my hand on my holster, covering the the gun with my hand. I tell them to go away. They stand there for a good couple of seconds with their eyes and mouth open and turn around and pound pavement. You never know with these assclowns, they could be sizing you up for a robbery or car jacking, trying to distract you.

I talk to strangers all the time, although it is usually when waiting in line. Maybe it's because I come from the south where not knowing someone is not an excuse not to be neighborly. Also I'm not on a cell phone or iPod so its a way to pass the time.

KostcoKid Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I start conversations with people all the time, especially in
> the line at Costco and it's usually something to do with what
> they're buying. (just curious)
Attachments:

"the right to be let alone --
the most comprehensive of rights and
the right most valued by civilized men."

Justice Louis D. Brandeis Supreme Court

"Tell you what, be the example. Post your full name, address and birthdate in this thread if you are so social and trusting, and we are so antisocial and non-genuine. Do it or you are a hypocritical jerk and much worse than us, at least we are honest about why we hesitate with these people."


Perhaps part of the reason for some NoVA residents' unwarranted paranoia is the inability to differentiate between being friendly -- or simply polite and courteous -- and doing what you described above. One does not relate to the other within the context being discussed.

Then, your predictable ad hominems...

As I said; this place sucks socially. Thank goodness there are those of us who refuse to contribute to the problem.

You should go to an internet forum....

...and ask a total stranger.


Why the resistance? People need conversation and human contact, always will. Granted if it's a sales pitch or a kinko come-on, that's something else, but there's nothing wrong with a little chit chat.

idontlikebeingrightaboutshitlikethisbutiam



Edited 21 time(s). Last edit at 5/31/1967 05:57AM by WingNut.

Last edit at 11/30/2015 01:37PM Last edit at 5/14/2015 03:52PM Last edit at 1/28/2014 05:57AM Last edit at 11/29/2015 01:10PM Last edit at 3/14/2011 11:52PM Last edit at 7/20/2012 04:07AM
Last edit at 6/29/2013 11:18PM Last edit at 3/19/2011 01:02PM Last edit at 3/26/2012 09:07PM

WingNut Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You should go to an internet forum....
>
> ...and ask a total stranger.
>
>
> Why the resistance? People need conversation and
> human contact, always will. Granted if it's a
> sales pitch or a kinko come-on, that's something
> else, but there's nothing wrong with a little chit
> chat.

We are talking about people pretending to be friendly and then putting the cheesy sales pitch on you. Most of us can tell the difference between the two in about 20 seconds.

Rog Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Maybe I should have been more specific. The last
> occurance was yesterday, at a gas station. While
> I was at the pump a guy came up talked about my
> car and asked if I liked it. He mentioned that he
> and his wife were thinking about buying one. He
> asked questions, I answered them. I friendly
> conversation. Seemed like normal/nice guy. At
> the end of the conversation, as I'm walking
> towards the gas station store, the guy asks "are
> you open to making other sources of income" or
> something along those lines. I said no and kept
> walking.
>
> These are not standard conversations or small
> talk. All 4 occurances have had similiar
> questions with the people asking what I do, if I
> like what I do, do I want to make more money, and
> in general being incredible cryptic and
> persistant.
>
> I find this incredibly weird and was wondering if
> it has happened to anybody else. I'm not
> anti-social. It has nothing to do with that.

They are CLEARLY aliens in DISGUISE. Beware, they want to give you the dreaded anal probe! IT'S A C-O-N-spiracy!
Attachments:

Goober Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> whenever these assclown conversationalists start
> this shit with me, I reach for my CCW, my hand on
> my holster, covering the the gun with my hand. I
> tell them to go away. They stand there for a good
> couple of seconds with their eyes and mouth open
> and turn around and pound pavement. You never know
> with these assclowns, they could be sizing you up
> for a robbery or car jacking, trying to distract
> you.

Just because you're paranoid, Goober, doesn't mean they're not all out to get you...

() Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Goober Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > whenever these assclown conversationalists
> start
> > this shit with me, I reach for my CCW, my hand
> on
> > my holster, covering the the gun with my hand.
> I
> > tell them to go away. They stand there for a
> good
> > couple of seconds with their eyes and mouth
> open
> > and turn around and pound pavement. You never
> know
> > with these assclowns, they could be sizing you
> up
> > for a robbery or car jacking, trying to
> distract
> > you.
>
> Just because you're paranoid, Goober, doesn't mean
> they're not all out to get you...

Goober is full of shit and you can't believe a word that comes
out of his mouth. He doesn't even have a CCW and if he did and
acted like that he'd wind up in the pokey for abusing his CCW
privileges.

Rog Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In the past 3 years I have had complete strangers
> approach me or me and my wife in public and try to
> start conversations. It's happened 4 or 5 times
> in Target, Giant and in the front of gas station.
> They are persistent and fucking weird. I assume
> it’s either a pyramid scheme or swingers, but
> still want to know what's going on. Has this
> happened to anybody else?


Whenever that has happened to me, it's always turned out to be Amway or some other MLM bullshit.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/13-11.htm

Conversationalist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As I said; this place sucks socially. Thank
> goodness there are those of us who refuse to
> contribute to the problem.


So first you disagree with us, then you agree with us. When we don't respond we help with the problem of MLM and Amway people. Hard to argue with you if you support all positions.

I was looking at some day planners at Office Depot(Or maybe Staples) in Herndon. A guy walked up and start talking, asked if I liked the planner etc... You could tell he had other intentions by the way he was not really paying attention to the small talk. After about 2 minutes he said "Oh I'm starting my own business and looking for some people who might be interested, if your interested I'm having a meeting tomorrow night at the Hyatt in Reston. I'll meet you in the lobby."

I was going to be at the Town Center so for some reason I said yeah I'll stop by. I met the guy in the lobby and we sat down and he started his pitch. He said "I'm starting a franchise operation it's a great opportunity for this area. You would be able to get in as a partner and I'll share profits... yada yada... I finally said Let me guess this is some sort of Amway thing?

He leaned back amazed and said "Yeah actually it is Amway." I just started laughing and said no way. 30 seconds and I was gone.

OfficeDepot Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was looking at some day planners at Office
> Depot(Or maybe Staples) in Herndon. A guy walked
> up and start talking, asked if I liked the planner
> etc... You could tell he had other intentions by
> the way he was not really paying attention to the
> small talk. After about 2 minutes he said "Oh I'm
> starting my own business and looking for some
> people who might be interested, if your interested
> I'm having a meeting tomorrow night at the Hyatt
> in Reston. I'll meet you in the lobby."
>
> I was going to be at the Town Center so for some
> reason I said yeah I'll stop by. I met the guy in
> the lobby and we sat down and he started his
> pitch. He said "I'm starting a franchise
> operation it's a great opportunity for this area.
> You would be able to get in as a partner and I'll
> share profits... yada yada... I finally said Let
> me guess this is some sort of Amway thing?
>
> He leaned back amazed and said "Yeah actually it
> is Amway." I just started laughing and said no
> way. 30 seconds and I was gone.

Had to laugh. Many years ago a co-worker of mine was all fired
up about Amway and asked me if I'd go with her to a presentation.
I reluctantly agreed but only as an observer. She didn't buy it
and neither did I. A few months later, another co-worker in another
division called me by phone and started all the yada yada about
how I could make a lot of money if I just went to a meeting at
his house and I asked him, "Are you talking about Amway?". There
was a couple of seconds delay and he said, "Amwhat?". Yep, it was
Amway alright. He was just surprised that I was ahead of him. I
told him he'd be better off getting a part time job as a keypunch
operator. I always thought of him as "Amwhat" after that.

Okay so I'm not from the area you all appear to be. To be quite honest I don't really even want to say what country I'm from. I've been reading this forum at work and have found it to be quite interesting. Where I live its normal for someone to strike up random conversation when your in line at a store or even on a bus. If your not interested many people just say something blunt that ends the conversation or ignores them. I feel it can be frustrating for these 'randoms' to talk to you on days you are feeling annoyed in general with the world. But really? Why with all the trust issues. Unless there is seriously a high rate of people getting jumped in the middle of stores and streets why does it matter if someone wants to make a comment about the weather or your car? Maybe they are lonely and need someone to talk to or a reason to laugh for ten seconds and go back to there horrible life...

God damn it. Read what people are writing, the salesmen are all over the place here because there is money in Fairfax County. No one has really seriously said they don't like conversing with human beings, they don't want a sales pitch which is what we often get up here. I engage in plenty of five or ten second conversations. But when you start getting followup questions you know it isn't chit-chat.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2011 06:37PM by justsayin.

I don't enjoy random strangers coming up to me trying to start conversations about some tedious shit. I'm not interested in talking about the weather or football or whatever. I'm not interested in having boring conversations with people I do know, let alone ones I don't.

I do have a very low tolerance for dumb conversations, but I envy people who are able to indulge in them quite smoothly, it's a handy to skill to have at times. Unfortunately it's not one I possess, and when I find myself in that position I just want to blow my head off.

Jackie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> WingNut Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You should go to an internet forum....
> >
> > ...and ask a total stranger.
> >
> >
> > Why the resistance? People need conversation
> and
> > human contact, always will. Granted if it's a
> > sales pitch or a kinko come-on, that's
> something
> > else, but there's nothing wrong with a little
> chit
> > chat.
>
> We are talking about people pretending to be
> friendly and then putting the cheesy sales pitch
> on you. Most of us can tell the difference
> between the two in about 20 seconds.


Takes me less than 5 to realize it's a sales pitch.

If I'm in a bad mood I'll throw on a phony grin myself and monopolize the conservation, interupting everything they say -"Hey man, thats great! Your product is super, it'll save my life!" and give them phony backslaps, handshales or fistbumps.

If I'm in a good mood I'll smile and laugh and say very innocuously "No thanks! Fuck that shit, man!"

Both appraoches make all but the most real and dedicated saleman rethink their chosen path.

idontlikebeingrightaboutshitlikethisbutiam



Edited 21 time(s). Last edit at 5/31/1967 05:57AM by WingNut.

Last edit at 11/30/2015 01:37PM Last edit at 5/14/2015 03:52PM Last edit at 1/28/2014 05:57AM Last edit at 11/29/2015 01:10PM Last edit at 3/14/2011 11:52PM Last edit at 7/20/2012 04:07AM
Last edit at 6/29/2013 11:18PM Last edit at 3/19/2011 01:02PM Last edit at 3/26/2012 09:07PM

There is a difference between a *neighbor* in one's own neighborhood striking up a conversation with someone vs. some random person in a public setting doing the same thing. The latter done for no apparent purpose (e.g. asking for directions, specific info) does usually put one a bit on guard.

Some things never change - I remember many years ago being accosted in a similar manner as was "OfficeDepot" while perusing books in the business section of bookstore. A genuinely tacky way to recruit.

They havent bothered me in several years. Not sure why, maybe I dont look gullible anymore (sob). What would you prefer? An Amway/MLM dweeb or a flat-out beggar that asks for money? Someone flat out came up to me asked for money while I was shopping in a department store. She didnt even make up any excuses. She just said "Can I have $2?" I prefer beggars because their M.O. is undisguised. They just ask for money and if you say NO, they walk on. The MLM dweebs try to weasle their way into appearing friendly only to sucker punch you with the "do you want to make more money???" line.

Plus, they get offended when you reject them. I never understood why that is. Rejection and failure should be expected in business.

The recent earthquake bred alotta inter-stranger-convo... I suppose it was cause it was something that had just happened and most people hadnt ever experienced one..still seemed a tad strange for fairfax/nova.

I used to have long hair and a beard and I would get approached by people ALL the time looking to buy weed. Granted, I did smoke, but I never carried it around and even if i did I'd never sell to some random asshole. But they'd always start some dumbass conversation to test the waters to make sure i was 'good' exactly 6 times i was asked if i listened to bob marley...fuck bob marley and fuck stoners with no friends/hookups.

Rog Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In the past 3 years I have had complete strangers
> approach me or me and my wife in public and try to
> start conversations. It's happened 4 or 5 times
> in Target, Giant and in the front of gas station.
> They are persistent and fucking weird. I assume
> it’s either a pyramid scheme or swingers, but
> still want to know what's going on. Has this
> happened to anybody else?

Happened to me and my wife once at a grocery store. These people were joking and laughing about an unusual item in the store and tried to bring us into the conversation by asking our opinion of it. It quickly devolved into a sales pitch. We walked away. You can always tell the multi-level marketers in public.

I remember standing in line at a bank and this gal struck up a conversation with me. She said she was with this MLM thing and their deal was to sell juicers. She said I would never guess who their spokesperson was...OJ Simpson! "The Juice."

About a month later he gutted his wife and Ron Goldman.

Wonder how that lady did with her business opportunity?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/13-11.htm

Any time a stranger talks to me in public in that sort of awkward, forced way, the first thing I think is: How long till this nut invites me to their MLM seminar or their "laid back, no stress" church/compound?

Then while they're blathering on with the small talk/pitch, I always get the same feeling: When this sales gig doesn't pan out, they're definitely going to turn into a serial killer.

When people come up to me and ask for money I say wow ain't that coincidence I was just going to ask you for some money. I'm very poor.
usually gets a brief laugh and I just look at them and don't say nothing more


I'd rather live in the country. Fairfax is the land of scumsuckers these days

When strangers try to start a conversation with me I immediately put my CCW in their mouth and pull that trigger 'cause I'm a total badass.

I try talking to girls at bars but 99% of the time they ignore me or give an ewwww look. I guess I qualify as a stranger starting a conversation.

We have had number of strangers approach. The latest twist is they claim to have an IT company or e-business. They are referring to Quixtar- a online off-shoot of Amway. It's MLM business model but Quixstar helps hook the IT oriented folks.

Ah, that makes sense. A guy approached me in Home Depot. He complimented me on my shoes and then went in with asking me some friendly questions, then he told me about his IT startup and how he was looking for part-time workers. I sensed something was up the minute he asked me about my shoes. I told him thanks, but I'm not at all interested and he didn't push it. He seemed nice enough, but honestly who recruits complete strangers in Home Depot?

Having left the D.C. area ,I realize how up their own butts most people there are at this time. This was not always the case. 40 yrs. ago starting a conversation was a normal thing especially while waiting in line. Now whether
at the Giant food or on the Metro, making eye contact or ,heaven forbid speaking to another person ,assuming that they are not I-podding/phoning /
internetting / texting is more likely to get one reported to the pecker-checkers at "See something -Call the KGB" web site. This level of paranoia is
the inevitable result of 1) increasing population density -too many rats in a cage 2) Increasing wealth/greed as exemplified in FFXCO today -"if I have a lot of something everyone is trying to get it" syndrome 3) post 911 paranoia
which may well be realistic given US self-appointed role of world police.
All are correctable ,but real political and personal change is difficult and the status quo during prosperity always seems the safer course. A good and recent example would be U.K. public opinion as their empire collapsed. The average Briton just assumed that "the sun would never set on the British Empire" Even to this day a lot of British,French etc. etc. fail to recognize their greatly diminished status/importance in world affairs and continue to feel important by beating up on relatively puny countries. This of course is not "playing nice and making friends" and intelligent people realize the hatred that is generated overseas by these policies. Hence they fear anyone that doesn't appear to fit into their affluent group and fear retaliation by
their self-generated enemies. Govt. all ways trying to grow reinforces this fear cycle by adding more police ,controlling the internet, incrementally denying more civil liberties etc. while all the while telling the public that "it's all for their own safety. These type of internal security measures and new ones made possible by modern technology are nothing new. All failing empires have utilized them in one form or another as they felt control slipping away. Just try to live without fear ,anything else is not really living. Try to help someone in need . It's very liberating. Work towards real political change not the false dichotomy of Repub/Dems both of which always favor the fatcats who pay for their billion dollar campaigns. Think about it.
If anyone finds flaws with this theory, I would welcome intelligent rebuttal as I realize tht no one person has all the answers.

There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.

Who can forget obamas hotline to report dissidents?

Troll post is obvious troll.
The farther south you go, the more people will have conversations with you out of the blue. Northern Virginians don't seem to be into the whole, 'talking to people' scene, though.
But yeah after moving here from further south, I've tried chatting up people in line at stores before, and they look at me like they've never spoken to anyone in their lives