Commentary by Lorene Burkhart
How many really interesting people do you know? What are your criteria for putting them on the list? Do you think you would qualify to be on someone’s interesting person list?
A recent article by Alexandra Hudson about how to be the most interesting person in the room made me wonder if I’m interesting. Living in a retirement community surrounded by people of a similar age requires a development of conversation skills that may not have been used much when living alone or with limited social contact.
Here are a few of her tips:
- The most interesting people are the most interested. They have a zealous curiosity about everything around them (I’m reminded of a small child who constantly asks “why” or “look, Mommy, what is that?”).
- They enjoy experiences – books, films, conversations that keep them thinking about big questions.
- They look for opportunities to learn from others.
A constant stream of new residents at The Stratford keeps me busy (I chair the Welcoming Committee). I have the good fortune to know something about them the day they move in, because our relocation specialist sends me background information so I can provide it to a committee member who will call on them. We have an abundance of former teachers and college professors, health care professionals (doctors, nurses and social workers) and talented artists and musicians.
A treasure trove of opportunities to learn from them.
Give yourself the challenge to become more interesting.
