What’s the best way to meet new people while traveling?

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The first obstacle to get over is traveling. During my younger years I did plenty of traveling and I never had much trouble meeting people. Now that I am older, I hardly get out of the house. I have a 3 year old car with only 8000 miles on it. I used to put 2000 miles a month easily. 

I never thought so much about it but as I think back over it, I usually just say hello. Generally, if I decided, I’d ask a question, usually about something that caught my attention. Hats or t-shirts usually work well, especially when they have some kind of marking on it. It might surprise you about how people like to explain some kind of saying on their shirt.

Sometimes, that doesn’t quite work as expected. I saw a man with a Christian saying on his shirt and I complemented him on it. He seemed pleased so I risked asking where he bought it, he replied a thrift store. Not exactly the reply I expected. Still, it was fine. When we parted, we were both laughing. 

Just the other day, I struck up a conversation because I was curious what the abbreviation was on his cap. We talked for about five minutes after that. Actually, he was happy to do most of the talking and I enjoyed listening. 

Cars are a good way to start a conversation. I have found that people love to talk about their cars, or motorcycle. If you’re not careful, you can let the time slip away and before you know it, you can let 20 or 30 minutes slip away from you. It has happened to me more than twice.

I went to see Desert Song out in Anaheim, CA, I guess it was around 1967. After, I saw a man getting on his Honda 305 and I complemented him on it. Next thing I knew we were talking motorcycles. Then, of all things I found out he was one of the cast. Go figure. Yeah, I told him how much I enjoyed the show to. Not sure, but the just might have embarrassed him some.  Well, it was good he knew I liked it anyway. 

I complemented a man on his pickup one day. I think he was waiting on someone to say something about it. Yep. We talked for about fifteen minutes. It seems the truck had been in an accident and he got it for about half price. He was really proud of it and rightfully so. I thought he’d driven it off the lot new. I think, in a way, he was more proud of the price than if it was new. Getting it for half the normal price was a real feather in his cap. Sure made me envious. Considered making him an offer but I really don’t think he wanted to sell it.