Parenting Pointers 1119 - Why does a total stranger understand me?

Why does a total stranger understand me? It’s so much easier to tell a stranger your troubles than to tell your friends or family. Strangers have no investment in you, so they can offer their opinions freely. Your relationship might be as long as a plane ride or the 10 minutes waiting in line at the post office, so no big deal, you’re not likely to see them again. And, there’s not as much risk of being judged by a stranger than by people who are in your inner circle. Yes, these factors help strangers understand you better than your crew, but, it’s the more descriptive and clear language that we use when giving new information to strangers, that bridges the gap. We assume our friends and family will “fill in the blanks”. To clearly communicate with our loved ones, stop making assumptions about what you think they know about you. Spell it all out and skip the shortcuts. You’ll be surprised what you learn about one another.