Pickles by Brian Crane for November 22, 2024

He sounds like Rat on Pearls Before Swine

I am with Earl. I have enough friends.

When I was a kid and even to this day, I’ve always had trouble looking people in the eye.I have to force myself to do that at times… Don’t know why. It’s just my nature & the way I as raised.

There are many places where it’s not a good idea to make eye contact with strangers.

I knew an Army Captain like that and it always bothered me.

I’m with Earl.

There’s nothing to base a conversation on with a ships passing in the night, or day. But if i see someone looking at something in walmart that befits a comment, i will.

Big same, Earl, big same.

With enemies, who needs friends?

You’re in good company, Earl!

They are probably thinking that, and worse, when they see Earl coming.

Amen Earl. Me too.

People think I’m looking them in the eye when I talk to them, but I’m actually looking at their monobrow or wondering about that strange-looking mole on their forehead.

When I’m out walking, half the people are listening to music through earpieces. And women avoid men they don’t know. I get it.

I think there are more people like Earl than anyone would like to believe. I’m definitely one of those. I have many acquaintances, but few if any true friends.

People suck, so why get new friends?

She should recognize that Earl is a smart man.

I’m the same way. here’s a trick I learned. look at the bridge of their nose.

Thank you for this

Keep one on the person, one on your wallet

I taught my 3 sons and am now teaching my Grandkids that to make a good first impression, look the person in the eye, and give a firm handshake.

My first reaction when someone is approaching me, do I know them and if I do, what the heck is their name?

People have always been a part of my life with school and work, etc. But retirement is my time, along with my little dog, and I’m perfectly happy with that!

OMG……. I’m turning into EARL..!!!!!!!!!!!

When I’m gathering my thoughts, I usually don’t make eye contact because I find it distracting. I don’t like to hear peoples voices when I’m trying to read for the same reason.

The biblical comand to judge not, was talking about the person walking toward you on the sidewalk. Not the thief, or politician.

Yup.

I’ve always been able to look at someone in the eye even a person passing and speaking. Generally, saying good morning or how you doing. I worked in jobs in USPS as carrier, supervisor, etc then in grocery stores. You have to be pleasant!

Earl has it licked!

Perhaps this is residue from the whole “stranger danger” program from the last century.

Earl, you ought to invest in a smartphone – with wired ear buds. Then you can just look at your phone and pretend to be searching your music or podcast library. That’s a SURE way to get those pesky people to leave you alone.

Why are we called misanthropes when we don’t miss anyone?

I’m the same as Earl. I don’t do well with new people.

Friends are a security risk.

I was about twenty when someone advised me to look people in the eye when I’m talking to them; until then, it never occurred to me to do so. I think that’s why I still have trouble reading people’s expressions. It also seems to be why so many iGenners have the same problem.

That said, there are cultures where looking people of higher status than yourself in the eye is considered rude. Many Spanish speaking cultures are like this; it’s how the 1977 Humboldt Park riots in Chicago started.

Earl and I have so much in common. Maybe we could not hang out together sometime.

Same here,earl,’ol boy! Most days I’m content to just talk to my dogs…..

You still have it Earl………

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

I’m with Earl. My girlfriend is the same way and has to force herself to do things outside of her comfort zone. She does Meals on Wheels, plays pickleball and goes to an exercise class. I quilt so I have to force myself to go the quilt shop. She ‘peoples’ a lot more than I do.

All mine died or moved to Panama.

I’m with Earl. There are two kinds of people in this world and I recommend you avoid them both.

Am I the only one here who genuinely likes people? I make friends easily at work, and there is a lot of flux with the people I play soccer with on Stanford University campus (we draw from a group of more than 60 people), so I make a new friend almost every week.

Earl has more friends than he desires.

I assume everyone is my friend and wonder why my friends are acting unfriendly.

The older I get the more I don’t like a lot of noise, chatter, crowds and nosey people. LOL

“When you see a pretty girl walking towards you…” “I suck in my gut.”

Earl’s memory is full. He no longer has any empty storage space. When he is approached, all he sees is buffering image due insufficient bandwidth.

That’s me, that is why I wear a boonie, tilt my head down and leave me alone lol

kind of an abrupt, mid story arc jump into re-runs ……. jinkies!

I think that’s everybody’s reaction nowadays.

I get his world, I just want to move on my journey in peace and harmony, and often I’m singing an old 60’s song.

Earl is a very smart man!

I like Earl we could be friends, he would never call me, I would never call him! God forbid we ever meet in person.