Starting a conversation with a stranger is not something common in the culture in which I grew up. I would usually feel unsafe or unmotivated to share any piece of information about myself to someone I have no knowledge of, and in fact a lot of people feel the same - that is why oftentimes people choose to avoid communications with one another when they have the energy and chance to interact, in order to stay in their comfort zone or safe zone. Talking to strangers might not be the safest action to perform in a relatively unfamiliar city, but doing so under certain circumstances could be so surprisingly meaningful that one is able to learn something new about the person or the community from a distinct point of view. After coming to Detroit, I have set a goal to immerse myself with individuals in the community by actively starting conversations with Detroiters. I want to challenge myself to open up and practice authenticity with others in the community, and through such endeavor, I realize that I have created opportunities for myself to look at the city from a different angle and experience many facets of Detroit that I would not have been able to if I did not have such conversations.
Ones of the conversations that mean a lot to me are with a lady who works in the office next to ProsperUS’s. Coincidentally, we go to restroom at the same time almost every single day. For the first few times we met in the restroom, we friendly greeted each other; later as we both realized the pattern of us bumping into each other, we started conversations. Even though I only see her for about two minutes every time, we have covered topics ranging from her childhood in East Jefferson to my favorite memory at Duke, from her feelings for Detroit to my morning bike ride to work, from her soul food to my recent attempt to cook… There was one day I did not see her at all and felt as if I missed something that day; when we bumped into each other again the next morning, she asked immediately, “Where did you go yesterday?” I did not notice until then that chatting with her has become a routine on my weekdays, and I have grown to be so comfortable with our small talks from the first time when I felt shy. Our interaction could have been limited to mere greetings if we chose so, and in my mind she might have remained as a friendly lady by the time I leave Detroit. But now, she is a friend to me. She has shown me the culture of Detroit, walked me through segments of the city’s history and transformations, and perfectly illustrated authenticity of a Detroiter. Moreover, she makes me feel like a part of Detroit.
Ones of the conversations that mean a lot to me are with a lady who works in the office next to ProsperUS’s. Coincidentally, we go to restroom at the same time almost every single day. For the first few times we met in the restroom, we friendly greeted each other; later as we both realized the pattern of us bumping into each other, we started conversations. Even though I only see her for about two minutes every time, we have covered topics ranging from her childhood in East Jefferson to my favorite memory at Duke, from her feelings for Detroit to my morning bike ride to work, from her soul food to my recent attempt to cook… There was one day I did not see her at all and felt as if I missed something that day; when we bumped into each other again the next morning, she asked immediately, “Where did you go yesterday?” I did not notice until then that chatting with her has become a routine on my weekdays, and I have grown to be so comfortable with our small talks from the first time when I felt shy. Our interaction could have been limited to mere greetings if we chose so, and in my mind she might have remained as a friendly lady by the time I leave Detroit. But now, she is a friend to me. She has shown me the culture of Detroit, walked me through segments of the city’s history and transformations, and perfectly illustrated authenticity of a Detroiter. Moreover, she makes me feel like a part of Detroit.
Mural-in-progress in the building where ProsperUS is located.
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