I debated posting more than the first photo this week.

I did not ask to take their photo. I did not ask them to pose or have them say cheese.

While walking through the park I was looking at the new picnic table pavilion and one of the people there called out to me and began posing. This happens sometimes, usually just one person. This was a group of characters and the banter was hilarious, but I’m afraid it won’t be read the same in print, so we will keep that as our own memory of that moment.

This was not an especially warm day, but the sun was out, and maybe that had something to do with the jovial mood.

Not every day, but most, I will greet the people I pass on the sidewalk — usually in the morning because “good morning” is a lot less awkward than any other way to say hello. I’m not trying to learn about their hopes and dreams or how their ex did them wrong or anything at all. It just makes sense to acknowledge the existence of other people with whom we share this place, at least some of the time.

Often, I’m ignored. That’s fine. I’m not going to be a jerk and give the whole “I said hello,” you know, like how when you’re in a public meeting and someone gets all repeating themselves if the audience doesn’t say “good evening” back to them. That’s not my style. Ignore me. It’s fine. It’s not about me being recognized.

I thought about this after the exchange with the friend group having their winter gathering in a park. How many people in Hartford have their existence either (1) ignored, or (2) treated with unearned hostility?

There are people who are so distrustful and wounded that they won’t ride public transportation, won’t greet strangers on the street. How does someone learn to be this afraid of other people?

Not a minute passed after I finished chatting with that group that an on-leash ginger Husky came bounding over and hugged me. I got tangled up in the leash. I wasn’t worried about my face getting bitten off because I was laughing at the spectacle of it, and because this dog was good-natured.

Back in downtown, I stood outside of City Hall, messing around with my camera. A person I was trying to photograph didn’t walk into the frame, and I was confused. Then I looked up and he was standing next to me.

Instead of reprimanding me for something, he wanted to talk cameras and show me his portrait photography. We stood around talking for awhile and followed each other on social media.

Again, nothing alarming or skeevy.
Strangers talking to strangers.