I had so much fun leading my friend with questions (and telling you all about it), I decided to try my technique on a stranger.
This morning I ran a few errands (I am self-employed and enjoy this freedom). Anyway, one errand was to pick up some things for dinner at the grocery store... a regional chain called Russ's, not Walmart. I mention the store because it is far more personable than shopping at Walmart.
I am in front of a woman in her early 60's, I'm guessing. She's smartly dresed. Like maybe she's a professional at a local business. She is not wearing a mask, but the sales person is. As I am putting my items up for scanning, I see her reaching into her purse and digging out a mask.
I simply say in a calm voice, "Please... don't. There" s no need."
She looks up at me sort of stunned, and I could tell by her expression that she was trapped in the moment. Then she started to mumble as she pointed to the sales clerk, "But, but..."
"I know," I said, "it's tough when you want to look like you're going along with what is accepted, isn't it?"
Our eyes were locked and I wanted to look away, but I didn't. Instead, I took a breath, calmed myself and simply asked, "If we cannot do what we know is right when we feel a little peer pressure, how could we possibly stand up against something like, let's say, our local government if they tried to make us do something agianst our will?"
She didn't reply. I asked a further question, "Are you just going to rely on others to do the standing for you, against the government or whatever?"
I kept putting my items up to be scanned. She was still listening and slowly lowering her hand back to her purse. I added, "And what if the others don't stand up? Will you blame them, or blame yourself? And, what if the others were scared and waiting for you to stand up?"
"Listen," I gently continued, smiling, "I know you know the mask isn't needed. If you can't live that truth, then the truth dies with you."
I turned away and finished my purchase. As I left I looked back: she was not wearing her mask. We made eye contact and we smiled. It was human. It was real.
Try it, Frens. Questions that imply a point that cannot be refuted works, and I am going to have fun with it! I will write again after I do it again.
And, obviously I am creatively writing about this occurrence, but it was real and nearly exactly how I wrote it.
Nice! I love seeing maskless people in public, and it’s quite rare up here in Canuckistan.
Although, was that not technically peer pressure on your part? 😉
You are so right! Lol. Thanks
I am surprised at how many people don't say anything when I walk around without one. But they still don't take theirs off. They know I know they know. And yet...
Shit - I out right was telling people “just take the damn thing off!”
Now half of the people in my area are mask free. Not because of just me, but there are many independent thinking people where I live and sometimes even we would just give high fives in the store 🤪👍
I have thanked many people for not wearing a mask. Most common response: smile and "yeah, right?"
Inspired to do the same. I have won some peers over but the truckers made me realize if we don’t stand against real resistance then we are just virtue signaling in our own way.
Truckers are the new media anchors--we listen to the truckers now.
Fantastic! Well done, pede! Well done!
Thanks!
I can't hardly breathe if I tried to have an conversation like than with a stranger -- I want shove facts down their throats to prove their idiotocrocy --- well done , but l just can't do it // I almost wanna hurt people
I hear you. I was like that 20 years ago. You can do it. Just practice... with yourself. I do. I have conversations out loud with myself all the time... similar to golfers envisioning their stroke.
Communication is the key and always has been.
To awaken more and more people it requires them to think for themselves and I do enjoy using the Socratic method. The Socratic method works in my opinion because it allows people to make sense of their world view in a way that is common sense.
No fake news brainwashing, no adverts, no instagram paid talking head, etc. Just thinking about a question and arriving to several answers on their own.
Yep. Great explanation. Thanks
Any suggestions for parents and kids masked at a play ground?! It was indoors and there was probably 50 kids/ parents. One mom and dad came in masked, as did their 7? Yr old. I was sitting where I could watch the kids and cousins and also have a good view of everybody. (And eyes on the entrances/exits.) I watched as this couple waded through the onslaught of kids and parents. Never more than 5ft away from junior. I also noticed parents reaction to the masked freaks. There was no reaction. They just said hi when appropriate and went about their conversations. I on the other hand am having more and more difficulty keeping my composure. It pains me to see the kids like that. The parents are brainwashed? Ok. But the kids?! Side note: Saw a girl and her mom at the grocery store, both masked, and the girl sneezed 4 times in her mask! Rapid fire! It would have been funny without the mask. But now it’s just gross! I turned to my 16yr old and said,”Holy crap did you see that?!” Within ear shot of them. He turned to the girl and said,”God bless you.” He just smiled at her and then her eyes got all squinty so I’m guessing that means smiling in the mask eye expressions dictionary. I then smiled myself and leaned in to my boy. “Show off.” I said. He was all red and smiling. He’s a good kid :)
That is such a tough situation... with the one family all alone masked. It would take a lot of nerve to approach them. In my case, she was already unmasked, so I could start with her.
If you had an opportunity, though, maybe start with a white lie: "I understand why you're wearing a mask, in fact I only just stopped wearing mine 3 days ago and I am still a bit nervous."
That might open the door to a conversation. Get them to ask why? But don't tell in the usual way... try teliing with questions.
Still trying to figure this one out myself. I really want to say something, get into it, etc but anytime it happens (more often than it should) I'm busy with my own kid, and often a handful of other people's kids. I just don't have the time; the playground is too chaotic.
Praying for guidance. Thanks for making this comment to remind me.
Look at you, Pharmacist Pepe redpilling strangers. Nice
LOL... never thought of myself in a white lab coat. I'm a jeans, boots, and flannel shirt guy
WOOOOOOOOOOO HALLELUJAH
Amen!
I WANT CHANGEAGENT TO MAKE VIDEOS ON THE SOCRATIC METHOD !
Lol... thanks, but I will try to stick to writing about my adventures.
bravo fren, nicely done.
Thanks!
I just tell them,to quit watching CNN.
Your method is better.
But, you are right. I will try to weave that in next time.
Way to go! Excellent demonstration of how to do it.
I appreciate that