We so-called city folks are full of ourselves. We think we are street-smarts and hence we are constantly guarded against everyone around us. Indeed there are loads of crooks out there prying on the least prepared and the most gullible. Though as residents of almost every fast-paced city, we should all learn to be a bit more accepting, and a bit more compassionate to people around us.
We never want to lose out, so when we interact with people, a mental calculator surfaces that shows us what potential benefits, or trouble, we can get from the other party. Shall we be friendly, or shall we just nod along politely? What are the odds that we will be taken advantage by him or her? What do they want from me?
Not until I left the city and entered into a new surrounding did I realize how ridiculous our behavior could be. I came into contact with all kinds of people in Taipei, and I received a lot of friendly treatments from all of them. The people I met genuinely wanted to share life stories with me. They opened up, and they took the time to invest in conversations.
And I don’t mean hollow conversations where people only talk about what food they have eaten, cars they drive, or how much money they make. I don’t think people should need these topics to justify their existence or value on the planet.
I was greeted by very sincere folks in Taipei who were genuinely interested in knowing about each other. I met people who openly shared their darkest secrets and insecurities with me, a stranger from Hong Kong whom they had never met before. Though I cannot recall the last time I experienced it here at home, I didn’t find that odd at all. It should be human nature. The conversations I was engaged in were always candid, honest and at times vulnerable. I like that on people.
In my mind, everyone should possess a certain level of confidence. Showing your vulnerabilities is not a sign of weakness. If you have inner qualities that excel amongst others, people will feel it without you needing to flaunt it. Confident people, as long as they are not cocky, are incredibly attractive. Insecure people, on the other hand, are usually despised and almost hated by others. When I see people who are humble and willing to improve upon themselves, you will see me throwing myself at them like a moth to a flame.
Sounds like a bunch of random thoughts, but I owe it to Taipei who reaffirmed me on the goodness of people in the start of 2011. Thank you.
Confessions of a Corporate Shopaholic 
Surprised to find out that there are still a few who think otherwise. For that, in the majority of cases people are coasting along hoping for the best but with no thought of ever making a stand.