As children we’re told “don’t talk to strangers”
Stay away from them for there is much danger
Then as we grow, we live by this rule
Not realizing as adults, it can be so cruel
Instilling fear in children, we never outgrow
Thus limiting the people we will ever get to know
then we fight this fear with each person we meet
talking to someone new can be a daunting feat
jisbell22 
I agree. We should be open to meeting new people. We can learn from each person we meet.
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Absolutely! Thank you for your comments
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I love this. I kinda hits home for me cause it’s really hard for me to meet people.
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Isn’t it amazing about how many things we teach our children to do or be in order to stay safe that actually creates challenges for them as adults? Thank you for your great comments!
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Right! So many are so subtle, sometimes even subliminal, and it’s so hard to even know where to begin overcoming the challenge.
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As an adult who grew up with that I have forced myself to think outside of the box, this has been extremely challenging and even to this day I deal with some of these issues. As a parent, I am extremely cautious in what I say to my kids. I try to keep them safe without placing barriers.
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I think it’s important for kids to learn that there are certain things that apply only to children, and others that apply only to adults, and why.
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Great Point!
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It really is amazing, these safety teachings.
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I only regret talking to strangers about 39% of the time. I think that’s pretty good.
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That is good!
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So true! Even walking down the street can be hard to acknowledge the person passing by. I never realized that the distance between strangers is instilled in us as youngsters.
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Thank you! It is instilled in us from the day we are born and often many of us never get past that conditioning. Even strangers on the street many times are unable to make eye contact with strangers passing by.
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Yes, I have been thinking a lot about this post since I read it yesterday. My husband and I were even discussing about strangers last night so it was perfect to have read this post! It’s a strange world we live in. Thanks for posting… such an interesting thought! You are a wonderful writer!
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Thank you! That is truly a compliment from someone as talented as you.
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‘And so after I talked to this stranger, I found my conscience proving to me that I was the stranger………………………..’
Really there are no strangers, just people with whom we gave no chance
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Totally agree!
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Thank you
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Reblogged this on Looking4GodToday and commented:
Need to reexamine what we were taught as children….
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Someone famous once said ‘A stranger is a friend we just haven’t met yet.’ I like that. In these days of evil people with wicked intent, it is important that our children are cautious, but then again, if parents take responsibility not to let their children out alone then it isn’t such an issue is it?
I’m British, and our family has never celebrated Halloween. It amazes me how many parents spend the year, saying ‘don’t talk to strangers’ and ‘never take sweets from a stranger’ but then on Oct 31st send their kids out to knock on stranger’s doors and take candy galore from them!
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So very true.
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Extremely perceptive. One of the classic balances of life. Each person needs to make a unique, personal choice. No formulae.
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Thank you!
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Never thought of it like that, great point and poetry:)
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Thank you!
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“stranger danger” — a myth of sexual violence as well as child abuse. It isolates as well as distracts us from the greater problem: abuse at the hands of the people we already know and love. Thanks.
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True.
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