Hi Kirk. Hi Patty. Hi Luke. Hi Taylor. Hi Babette.
Have you ever noticed how many times they repeat each others names when they are talking to each other? First a greeting. Then about ten times during every conversation. Then the "Bye [insert name here]" to close. It always makes me laugh.
Greeting everyone by name over and over during the show builds the feeling of closeness and familiarity. It also makes people feel "seen", which is a nice feeling. Have you ever been pleasantly surprised when someone remembered your name? I have. Last week at church a friendly older man I had met maybe once,or possibly not at all, greeted me by name. It caught me by surprise, but also made me smile.
We may not live in a town as small or intimate as Stars Hollow appears to be, but we can built a network of familiarity at the places we go on a regular basis. Next time you are getting a bite to eat or buying groceries, note the name on the employees name tag and repeat it in your mind a few times. Make a mental association to get it to stick. Smile, be polite and at some point in the future you might say, "Thanks Jack" as you are handed your change. People love their own names and it might just make their day.
Just a side note, kids and pets count too. If your neighbor is out walking her dog and you are passing by, give the pooch a pat and ask it's name. Make a note and next time you are passing by say hi to the dog by name. It may sound silly but you just became a friend and familiar person to your neighbor without much effort. You don't have to be best friends with everyone, or even like them, but learning who people are and finding ways to communicate that you are aware of each other, like saying hi to Alice at the grocery store, remembering your neighbor's dogs name and asking how he's doing can build that little world of familiarity we are working towards. Make a goal to learn one new name a week.
By Kirk! Bye Patty! Bye [insert name here]!
