The idiosyncratic- strange conversations

For those who have spent time with me in public, mixing with the masses, I tend to attract the weird or eccentric and ever so rarely the wonderful.

One sunny afternoon I asked a friend in her opinion why I had such strange interactions. The astute reply was "you make too much eye contact, and you need to raise your shields".

Right. Helpful advice if only I knew what my shields were. "Like wonder woman?" I asked. " No, like you are a tough bad-ass."

Right. Mmmm.

So while I master the art (this could take a while) of no eye contact and being a tough MF I will ocassionally record my interactions in 'The idiosyncratic'.

Ring Road, late evening
In taxi returning home from airport, heavy rain
Driver flicks visor up and down, shifting wind-screen wipers slow then fast then slow again
Driver, strained- "Can you see road?"
Me, waking from light snooze, leaning forward, tentatively- "Yes."
Driver, slumping back in seat, relieved- "That is good."
Me, alarmed, checking car position on road
5 minutes passes
Driver, leaning forward staring at sky through windscreen- "Bad clouds, very bad clouds."
Me, unsure what to say, but wanting to say something re-assuring- "It is only light rain."
Conclusion, driver needs prescription glasses and would recommend therapy for fear of clouds. He did not recieve a tip.

Johnston Street Fitzroy, around midday
Man approaches me, dressed in stained tracksuit, pupils dilated
Man, slurring- "Can you give me 65 cents?"
Conclusion, man has decided he really needs 65 cents, he is perhaps short this exact amount for the local laundromat where he intends to wash tracksuit.

Yarra Valley Parklands Bulleen, early afternoon
Elderly well dressed man aproaches
Man- "Do you live round here?"
Me, was he lost?- "No."
Man- "Do you know how many bridges there are over the Yarra?"
Me- "No."
In background partner of Man can be heard calling 'Robert, do come on'
Man- "Go one have a guess."
Chris- "55."
Man- "No 67. But your guess is better than most. I have taken a photo of every single one of them. Where do you live?"
Me- on back foot, gesturing Smudge to go back which I am hoping means she will run off in another direction and I will have an excuse to follow- "About 25 minutes from here. Sorry we have to go catch up to the dog."
Conclusion, man really likes bridges. 

Have you had any strange interactions? Drop me a line.

It would be comforting to know I am not on my own.