Hello. Goodbye?

Hi.


I have been having trouble figuring out just quite how to introduce myself, and I still haven't quite figured out how to go about it.


So, hi.


It's how you meet new people; it's how you greet them. But even that little word requires the courage to stand up and shake someone's hand. The first look, the first touch, the first interaction - it's all said in that first greeting. Do you meet their gaze? Do you grip their hand like it's a life line? Do you smile or just tilt your head off to the side? There are many ways to say hello, but in the end, not much has to do with what you say. It's how you say it with your entire being.


Hi. ^_^


I have to say that it's something that has taken me a while to learn: to show the best version of myself that I can show (well, at least a pretty decent one...). You don't need a dead-grip handshake. Just one that says you have guts: firm and not too many shakes. As for eye contact, just keep it on one eye and steady. Then what facial expression? Just try not to look pissed. I aim for calm serenity. Yeah, don't ask me what that one means, I just go for something that shows you're glad to meet this stranger. What's left? Oh right, conversation.


Hi......


This was probably one of the last things I figured out. What sort of conversation topic prevents you from alienating yourself from this person? The answer is, no topic and every topic. Unless both parties are willing to really get along, even the smoothest talkers would have a tough time. So what is there left to do? Carry the confidence. Not arrogance. For at the end of the day, no matter how odd or confusing you may seem, that stranger will look back to say, "Hey, at least they were genuine. At least they had the compunction to be themselves." (Just pretend for a moment that people actually say compunction in their everyday vocab.) Sure there are many facets to one's personality, and different ways to act in various environments. But underneath it all, you are still yourself. And if you can manage to respect yourself, then just show everyone else that you do. Maybe what i'm saying is nonsense, or just doesn't make sense to you. That's ok to me. My brain sometimes follows a slightly more convoluted path of reasoning than a lot of other people. I am most definitely not a writer, and not the best conveyor of thoughts. My strengths lie elsewhere. My point is, that you can't do worse if you are yourself. There are 7 billion people in this world. You might not know them all, but somewhere along the line you'll meet someone that understands where you come from. And that's gotta count for something right?


So, hi. How are you? It's nice to meet you. 


In honor of the title of this post, by Hellogoodbye (my current song on repeat):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-KQ1tp_qOQ