You HAVE to meet these people…..
Frankly, we generally HAVE to meet people all through life, whether we like it or not. And regardless, almost each one of them leaves some kind of mark on us, and on our lives. A 5-second encounter with a rude bus conductor can put you in a mood for the rest of the day. A night-long conversation with someone can make you fall in love in with them. Yup, people can be very dangerous. But since we’re going to run into them anyway — whether for 5 seconds or the rest of our lives — here are some people that you seriously should consider bumping into for good, at least once in your life.
1. Entrepreneurs
The important thing here is to meet and interact with them while they are still entrepreneurs for start-ups and haven’t yet sold their souls to scale up. Because that’s when they’re still passionate, energetic, full of ideas and ambition. Spending time with entrepreneurs is an amazing learning experience — and if you get an opportunity to work for them in close quarters — pounce! There’s a lot to learn about the ways of the world, as well as the people who make it by hanging around with people trying to change things.
2. Social Workers
By social workers we don’t mean people who ambush you at the mall or on the road with petitions asking for donations or signatures. We mean those that actually do the dirty work. The ones who teach in slums, rescue animals, drag garbage out of rivers — that kind. There’s a different kind of ambition at work here — and while it may be not for everyone, it’s definitely worth experiencing first-hand — at least for some time.
3. Musicians
If you’ve ever been part of an impromptu jam session, you know exactly why musicians are such fun. The trick here is to find good ones, the ones who are genuinely in love with their art and do it for sake for some serious, heartfelt, soul-touching enjoyment. Steer clear of the pop-stars and the wannabes and hang out with the ones with real talent. For one, it’s great fun. And two, it’s incredibly inspiring to see first-hand the dedication and passion that make a good artist.
4. Villagers
This specifically is highly recommended if you’ve been living in a city all your life. Travel to a neat little village whenever you get a chance, and try to get to know the local people. This is much more difficult than it sounds. Many village folk are not very receptive or open to city dwellers, viewing them as invaders or colonists, practically. And for good reason, since many of us do act like such city-slickers. But try to be unassuming, respectful and generally not show off and you will find that they are indeed some of the nicest people you could ever meet. Most importantly though, it may be the only time in your life you’ll be able to talk to someone without feeling the need to prove anything.
5. Elderly
Okay so not all elderly people are necessarily nice — we’ve all known quite a few mean old grannies and grandpas — but if you have ever had a granny flash you a toothless grin, you know what we’re talking about! And man can they cook! However, a rendezvous with a grandma or grandad is about more than some finger-licking food — it’s a window to a time and an era that most of us would know nothing about. A way to stay in touch with your roots. A sneak-peek into where you really come from. Most of them are full of stories and anecdotes, precious little details and pearls of wisdom that will otherwise be lost if not heard from the horse’s mouth. Plus, if it’s your own grandparents, there’s no better way to get a li’l dirt on your parents.
6. Housewives
If you consider yourself an eternal, hopeless romantic, meeting and hanging out with housewives or stay-at-home moms is just the slap in the face you need. And it’s best to do this before you decide to tie the knot, especially if you’re a woman. (If you’re a man, it’s recommended too, just stick to housewives in your own house). Nothing hits home the ground reality of what it means to be a responsible adult better than spending some good quality time, watching a housewife cook for 5 people in under an hour while at the same time helping her toddler do homework and yell at the servant. Shit really does get real here.
7. Dancers/Artists/Actors/Performers
Particularly good if you think you’re introverted, shy or reticent. Generally flamboyant by nature, hanging out with artists who are performers can help you come out of your shell, be a little reckless, get bolder and generally have a good time. They’re also thoroughly entertaining, and can help widen your social circle. Just what you need when you want to have a good time. Performing artists are great to party with, but with none of that wannabe nonsense.
8. Sports-persons/Athletes
First up, clarification: The difference between a sports-enthusiast and a sports-person. A ‘sports-enthusiast’ is someone who thinks they know how to play a sport. A ‘sports-person’ actually plays the sport. Mostly everyday. Generally all the time. Preferably very well.
You have to meet the person, not the enthusiast. Enthusiasts are common, persons are not. They’re busy training. Enthusiasts are generally busy buying finger food for the next big game. Few people can match the dedication, grit and will power possessed by respectable athletes, particularly ones that play a truly challenging sport. If nothing else, it’ll at least motivate you to take better care of your body, which is a pretty great thing, if you see.
9. Filthy Rich People
Just so you know what you’ll have to do in order to get rich. And what not to do once you get there.
That should pretty much sort out your social scene for the year, and well, hopefully for life. Meeting the right people — the kind that open up new worlds and possibilities, challenge and inspire you and get you to do crazy (but good) things you never thought you’d do alone — can be one of the most awesome-est things you can do for yourself. However, great connections aren’t really formed over instant chats or online discussions. They need some real-time action. To get the most out of people you meet, you need to actually ‘meet’ them, the old-fashioned way. That’s when they’re able to affect you in a real, tangible way. And even if it’s sometimes infuriating, it’s far more worthwhile to get upset with a person than with a chat window.
