It’s Friday! Again! Already!
As I said in an earlier email, it is great to be welcoming so many people back to school again, especially Francesca because it means we have reached another milestone. PSLT will all be in one room for the first time since January!
There will be another ‘first’ next week with the ‘Meet the Teacher’ evening held virtually. It is really a very different start to the year. I have been thinking a lot about friendships and connections and, although this event is designed for you to meet your families, it is also a time for them to come together as a group and for some the first time they are meeting fellow BISS parents with something immediately in common. As a natural introvert and rather socially awkward person, having an ‘in’ is really important for me to feel more comfortable in any new situation. So, when I came across an article on the BBC website about the benefits of talking to strangers I was intrigued. I am definitely the person who, when travelling alone, used to dread sitting next to a chatty person who I didn’t know. I completely accepted that I may be cutting myself off from some amazing experiences and truly fascinating conversations, however it was not so much a choice as an instinctive reaction.
Reading the article was really thought-provoking. I genuinely enjoy meeting new people and love experiencing new things. Having lived internationally since 2010, I can honestly say I have met a plethora of interesting people and would dearly love to be the sort of person who revels in striking up new conversations. My first experience of life outside of the UK was in Oman and what a genuinely warm welcome they gave. Walking down the street, everyone said hello and good morning. Taxi drivers gave their life stories and wanted to tell you all about their country with pride. I will always remember returning to the UK that summer and just being amazed at how miserable everyone appeared. I was then on a mission to say hello to everyone I met when out jogging in the mornings. The number of people who were surprised but went on to smile and greet me back was actually lovely. I think we have just got out of the habit of the small politenesses (I may have just made up another new word). I really do always try to greet people with a smile, so if I don’t, it’s most likely I’m lost in my own world and I’m definitely not just ignoring you!
Have a read yourself, it’s good.
To finish, I have been sharing with you some of my forays into musical reminiscence and this week I have gone from Britpop to Born in the 80s (no comment). I have no idea who put together this playlist, but it definitely shares my eclectic tastes. I went from Fleetwood Mac to Five to The Clash to Smashing Pumpkins to Underworld to Alanis Morrissette and now to Deee-Lite. I wonder what will come next?!
Have a lovely weekend all!
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