General Discussion

bvar22

(39,909 posts)

64. When I was 39, I had a conversation with an ancient Black Man on Park Bench in New Orleans.

Sat Aug 15, 2015, 04:44 PM

Aug 2015

At first, I thought he was just "slow", but soon realized he was thinking over everything I had said BEFORE formulating his reply.

After a while, he asked me, "Who are you?"
I answered him with a list of things I could do...like my occupation, my skills, and my abilities.

He shouted, ,loud enough for the whole Park to conspicuously hear,
"NO!!!! Those are the things you can DO.
I asked you who you are, NOT what you can do."

I have thought of that old man frequently over the last 35 years.
I believe I could answer him today.

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People Are Strange [View all] H2O Man Aug 2015 OP

Seems to me they are actually stranger when you're a stranger too. pipoman Aug 2015 #1

Well done! H2O Man Aug 2015 #3

You are one of the good ones, H2O Man. nt Hekate Aug 2015 #2

Thank you! H2O Man Aug 2015 #6

A great line from the play, The Fantasticks in which the inge'nue kneels and prays by saying AikidoSoul Aug 2015 #59

Love it! H2O Man Aug 2015 #60

Thanks for the reminder! nt valerief Aug 2015 #4

Some times, it H2O Man Aug 2015 #7

Thats some good guality H2O... CentralMass Aug 2015 #5

Thank you. H2O Man Aug 2015 #8

I like most of your post PowerToThePeople Aug 2015 #9

No. H2O Man Aug 2015 #10

well PowerToThePeople Aug 2015 #13

That may be, but H2O Man Aug 2015 #15

Only the person you are calling out PowerToThePeople Aug 2015 #17

Doubt it. H2O Man Aug 2015 #18

I call out people, sometimes very directly PowerToThePeople Aug 2015 #19

actually it could apply to a lot of people hfojvt Aug 2015 #75

You could have been talking about me. I've been particularly annoying lately notadmblnd Aug 2015 #27

As a general rule, H2O Man Aug 2015 #28

"Self-reflection is, when done honestly, sometimes painful, but nevertheless essential." bvar22 Aug 2015 #61

Right. H2O Man Aug 2015 #62

When I was 39, I had a conversation with an ancient Black Man on Park Bench in New Orleans. bvar22 Aug 2015 #64

Very interesting. H2O Man Aug 2015 #66

I was very lucky to meet that old man on the bench that day. bvar22 Aug 2015 #67

no name, no call out. mopinko Aug 2015 #33

Thanks. H2O Man Aug 2015 #39

there is a prize in every box. mopinko Aug 2015 #47

I'm convinced H2O Man Aug 2015 #58

yeah, the city/alderman hate those calls. mopinko Aug 2015 #69

Yawn ... (nt) sunnystarr Aug 2015 #70

While I find the tendency to label things 'personality disorders' to be offputting... Shandris Aug 2015 #11

Thanks. H2O Man Aug 2015 #12

Some background music CentralMass Aug 2015 #14

Thank you! H2O Man Aug 2015 #16

That is what I thought when I read the headline. zeemike Aug 2015 #23

Best discussion of mental illness vs. personality disorders I've ever seen tavalon Aug 2015 #20

Family systems are H2O Man Aug 2015 #30

Always thoughtful, H2O Man. Control-Z Aug 2015 #21

I remember, many years ago, H2O Man Aug 2015 #35

Bril JackInGreen Aug 2015 #22

Thanks, JackInGreen! H2O Man Aug 2015 #36

That was fun Fairgo Aug 2015 #24

Very interesting. Thanks. H2O Man Aug 2015 #40

computer "road rage" KT2000 Aug 2015 #25

Right. H2O Man Aug 2015 #41

Great post arithia Aug 2015 #26

Thank you. H2O Man Aug 2015 #43

Great post... ms liberty Aug 2015 #29

Although I usually try H2O Man Aug 2015 #31

I found myself making a similar point... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #32

Interesting timing! H2O Man Aug 2015 #34

That means a great deal to me... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #38

Your friendship H2O Man Aug 2015 #44

We need more ramblings like this one WaterMan malaise Aug 2015 #37

Thanks! H2O Man Aug 2015 #46

Another thoughtful post H2O Man. lovemydog Aug 2015 #42

It makes sense! H2O Man Aug 2015 #48

Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Aug 2015 #45

Thanks, Uncle Joe. H2O Man Aug 2015 #49

Sometimes I need the occasional annoying gadfly. ananda Aug 2015 #50

They can be H2O Man Aug 2015 #52

By consistently not providing an "audience", we may be able to help those with personality Zorra Aug 2015 #51

Very good! H2O Man Aug 2015 #53

Interesting Babel_17 Aug 2015 #54

The older generation H2O Man Aug 2015 #56

The old Amish proverb: GoneOffShore Aug 2015 #55

A group of Amish H2O Man Aug 2015 #57

you put into words, so many of my thoughts Quayblue Aug 2015 #63

Thank you. H2O Man Aug 2015 #65

I always read your posts and you're welcome Quayblue Aug 2015 #68

So when we meet a fellow with a big chip on his shoulder... hootinholler Aug 2015 #71

I found, years ago, H2O Man Aug 2015 #72

I have to take some issue with this post. Crunchy Frog Aug 2015 #73

Some topics are uncomfortable. H2O Man Aug 2015 #74

It's the sweeping generalizations, coupled with the label Crunchy Frog Aug 2015 #78

Right. H2O Man Aug 2015 #79

I wanted to reply to this. Sorry it took me awhile. Crunchy Frog Aug 2015 #80

Thank you. H2O Man Aug 2015 #81

interesting and I like that song hfojvt Aug 2015 #76

Saving for later Faux pas Aug 2015 #77