#53 - Wave at Strangers

I have this awesome game I play in the car called 'Hey Robert'.  Firstly it requires at least one passenger because fun is better when shared with others.  Here are the rules of play:

1. The first rule of 'Hey Robert' is you do talk about 'Hey Robert';
2. The second rule of 'Hey Robert' is you DO absolutely, definitely talk about 'Hey Robert';
3. Source said passenger.  Passenger must be of sound mind and have a fun and carefree disposition;
4. Drive somewhere you know there will be pedestrians;
5. Wind your car window down;
6. Wave convincingly at a pedestrian (must be of male persuasion) smile widely and yell 'Hey Robert!' as though he is indeed Robert and is your long lost best friend; and
7. If this is your first time playing 'Hey Robert' then you have to yell 'Hey Robert'.

Hey Robert works better if you continue to smile warmly and wave enthusiastically.  Better still if you have stopped at a red traffic light and you Hey Robert someone, following up with "Good work with the presentation this morning. Margaret was really impressed.  It looks as though we'll win the tender...see you at squash tomorrow!"

That's one way to wave at strangers.


I waved at one stranger this week.  I was walking with my friend, going out to lunch at work when someone he knew and worked with walked past us.  He waved, smiled and said "hello Leah".  Leah waved, smiled and said "hello".  So I waved and smiled back at Leah and said "hello".  Leah waved, smiled, laughed and said "hello".  Leah is the administration officer that my friend works with and he comments that without her, the place would fall apart.  I agree that admin officers, good ones, are the glue that hold work places together.  I couldn't find a national "Administration Officer Appreciation Day" but I am aware there is something similar for secretaries.


So the next time you are in your car, think of your old pal Robert or say hello to the admin / reception officer or someone at work whom you've never been introduced to.  Smile and say hello for it appears to be contagious.