Talking to strangers in the Haight

What a terrifying and intimidating thing to do. Seriously.

I started with just exploring my neighborhood, walking around the streets and just looking around. I smiled at people walking by, trying to be friendly, mainly to no avail. Hardly anyone even looked at me.

I kept it up anyway.

I turned the corner to walk back down the next street and spotted a man about to get into his car. I watched him while I walked and when he turned to me I smiled. He grinned back and said, "You have a really pretty smile."

I smiled wider and walked over to talk to him. He asked for a hug, which I gave to him, and when we separated he smiled again.

I asked his name and he ignored the question. "You're a really good person, very nice and loving," he said in a very thick accent, which I soon learned was French.

And then he said the most superb line I've ever heard from a stranger: "Would you like to smoke some pot?"

He was just so friendly and happy that, needless to say, it encouraged me to get out there and meet some people.

Not that every person I meet wants to talk to me and then offer me marijuana, but at least it's possible to find these people somewhere.

Welcome to the Haight. :)