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Our nation's FIFA World Cup visitors returned home with glowing reports on their visit to the United States. Fans from Great Britain, Europe, Korea and other regions bragged about America's natural beauty, stadium sizes, portion sizes and free refills on soft drinks. Many were amazed at the friendliness of the American people.
I tend to take these things for granted, of course, but I am pleased that our visitors felt they had been treated with warm hospitality.
I grew up surrounded by friendliness and warm conversation. Most members of my family knew few strangers and conversing with people we didn't know was an enjoyable part of life. As a kid I generally had no problem conversing with adults (unless they were angry teachers.)
My first job was in radio so I got paid (poorly) to talk! My comfort with strangers and the ability to easily converse with them, however, was an asset throughout my career.
Twenty-five years ago my job required traveling the entire state and part of the fun was opportunities to visit with strangers at rest stops, in convenience stores and other venues.
My children used to tease me about knowing everyone. I didn't know anyone until I met them and eventually I did know a lot of people. Interestingly, now my kids are middle-aged adults and are carrying on the tradition.
The gift of gab does have drawbacks. Some strangers have misinterpreted my propensity for being talkative.
At a retail store in Des Moines, I was searching for bargains on a rack of t-shirts when a stranger ̶ a young woman ̶ asked if I had seen any XX size shirts on the rack. I pointed out a few. Then I spotted a larger group of larger shirts and said, "Ma'am, here are some more XX shirts."
In a haughty tone, the woman replied, "I'm not sure my HUSBAND would like those shirts."
Ouch! I hope I'm not a creepy old man! I was uncomfortable that she had read more into what I had intended to simply be friendly assistance.
Sometime later, I was sitting alone in a small waiting area within a medical clinic. A few minutes later a younger woman sat down in a nearby chair and we sat in silence for several minutes. I noticed she was wearing running attire so I finally said, "You appear to be a runner. Am I right?"
The woman, seemingly irritated with my question snapped, "Yes, I run with my HUSBAND!"
I'm such a country bumpkin I couldn't come up with a good pick-up line if I tried. Obviously I'm not good at starting an innocent conversation either.
I understand young women need a defense against mashers and I suppose they have to be cautious of talkative old guys, too.
An incident some years later proved that's not always the case. My wife and I had traveled to Niagara Falls and were spending a few nights at a multi-story hotel. One evening I had gone to the front desk to get change for a vending machine.
Two young women followed me into the elevator car and excitedly chatted in what I perceived to be a Slavic language. Forgetting to just keep my mouth shut, I said, "I'm guessing you young ladies are not New York natives."
One of the women enthusiastically said, "No, we're not from New York. We're from Poland." They spoke near-perfect English and we had a brief but pleasant chat during what remained of the elevator ride.
Upon returning to our hotel room, I announced to my wife, "Honey, I have good news!"
After four decades of putting up with me, Cindy was sometimes a bit leery of my sudden proclamations. "What's the good news?" she asked warily.
"I am now old enough to speak to young women and not worry that they think I'm hitting on them. I am old enough to be safe!"
My wife wasn't as excited with my good news as I was but it was still a defining moment for what was then a middle-aged man who likes to talk.
So, here it is nearly 20 years later! I am no longer middle-aged but I trust I can chat with anyone without setting off alarms!
(Arvid Huisman can be contacted at huismaniowa@gmail.com. ©2026 by Huisman Communications.)