Ok my first substack comment ever. Sis. I gotta tell you. I love talking to strangers and you’ve inspired me to do it more in my hometown on my own! I’ve thought until now that I need to wait for a trip to sit at the counter of a fabulous restaurant or local diner to have these moments, yet my backyard spots probably have the same magic just waiting for me to indulge & daydream. ✨ xx
i adored this. i honestly find talking with strangers easier and sometimes even more enjoyable than with people who know me. not like small talk, but when you actually have a real conversation with a stranger. (i also hate the word stranger- we need a nicer word for people we just don’t know yet!) i love those times when i’ve immediately connected with someone new, like at the airport or on the bus or at a coffee shop, and we just chat all about ourselves and our interests or just what’s going on with our day. it makes me feel more connected to life as a whole. i love learning about people and also the feeling of being brand new to another person, of being discovered by someone new.
totally looking forward to reading more of your work!! 🖤
"more connected to life as a whole" — YES. fully agree. thank you for your sweet comment :) and i know, we really do need a different word for stranger!!!!
P.s. One week I sat at the same counter twice in Paris. First night I met a fabulous woman Dianne and then these girls who came from backstage with Kendrick Lamar. Then the last night an impromptu first date with a Parisian boy who knew all the restaurant staff. Tout est magique. ✨
This is a beautiful piece. I also love solo-dining, solo travel, and meeting people with no preconceived notions. It's so refreshing. I hope to also have more experiences like this soon. We invite the energy we put out! Cheers
i have been so scared to talk to strangers (or, more specifically, men) especially because of the flirting aspect and because i woulld be scared they'll read something into our interactions where there is nothing and then get entitled... props to you, i admire you courage.
I love how you were able to paint these scenarios without posting any images of the dinners you went on. I felt like I was in the room with you when reading, and that's definitely a sign of a skilled writer. Good for you for staying off TikTok. I had to get off of there too because I felt like it was stripping me of my originality. And a lot of the viral food spots really weren't as good as people had hyped up.
wait so funny you ask this... i am not, and i was actually thinking about writing a full essay on this. i've especially been walking phone-free, headphones-free lately, and it's opened me up to so much. okay potential essay coming soon
Thomas had my jaw on the floor!!!! I was seriously not expecting it but also I wouldn't expect much else from a man lol I'm glad he was still respectful and you two had a nice time as strangers and fellow diners passing by. I love stories like these and I love the NYC magical atmosphere because I don't see this happening anywhere else in the worlddd
THE TIK TOK WIFE REVEAL IS CRRRRRRRAAAAZZZZY
i also deleted tik tok 2 months ago and feel unfortunately much more like myself - so powerful to not understand what being demure is
no exactly, you and i both hadn't seen that video for so long lol (i still don't even think i've seen the original)
Ok my first substack comment ever. Sis. I gotta tell you. I love talking to strangers and you’ve inspired me to do it more in my hometown on my own! I’ve thought until now that I need to wait for a trip to sit at the counter of a fabulous restaurant or local diner to have these moments, yet my backyard spots probably have the same magic just waiting for me to indulge & daydream. ✨ xx
ABSOLUTELY!!!! thank you for the comment<3 go do it!!!
Angelina, if you ever wrote a book, I would read it. I adore your stories and the way you write. Please don’t ever stop.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!! one day ;)
S A M E
i love you please so do NOT go FULL bourdain #rip
i second this
IZZY HAHAHAHA
i adored this. i honestly find talking with strangers easier and sometimes even more enjoyable than with people who know me. not like small talk, but when you actually have a real conversation with a stranger. (i also hate the word stranger- we need a nicer word for people we just don’t know yet!) i love those times when i’ve immediately connected with someone new, like at the airport or on the bus or at a coffee shop, and we just chat all about ourselves and our interests or just what’s going on with our day. it makes me feel more connected to life as a whole. i love learning about people and also the feeling of being brand new to another person, of being discovered by someone new.
totally looking forward to reading more of your work!! 🖤
"more connected to life as a whole" — YES. fully agree. thank you for your sweet comment :) and i know, we really do need a different word for stranger!!!!
P.s. One week I sat at the same counter twice in Paris. First night I met a fabulous woman Dianne and then these girls who came from backstage with Kendrick Lamar. Then the last night an impromptu first date with a Parisian boy who knew all the restaurant staff. Tout est magique. ✨
wow.... incredible
Ohhhhhh Thomas. He should’ve mentioned Wife Who Works for TikTok so much sooner and preferably without the blushing. Pouring one out for her, too 😪
i agree!!! i'm not faulting him, but if i were his wife and i heard about this, i'd be sad
This is a beautiful piece. I also love solo-dining, solo travel, and meeting people with no preconceived notions. It's so refreshing. I hope to also have more experiences like this soon. We invite the energy we put out! Cheers
i AGREE!!! cheers <3 thank you for reading
i have been so scared to talk to strangers (or, more specifically, men) especially because of the flirting aspect and because i woulld be scared they'll read something into our interactions where there is nothing and then get entitled... props to you, i admire you courage.
I love how you were able to paint these scenarios without posting any images of the dinners you went on. I felt like I was in the room with you when reading, and that's definitely a sign of a skilled writer. Good for you for staying off TikTok. I had to get off of there too because I felt like it was stripping me of my originality. And a lot of the viral food spots really weren't as good as people had hyped up.
thank you so much this is so sweet <3
I need to know your thoughts on people who wear headphones all the time... I assume you're not one of them?
wait so funny you ask this... i am not, and i was actually thinking about writing a full essay on this. i've especially been walking phone-free, headphones-free lately, and it's opened me up to so much. okay potential essay coming soon
Knew it! a little wire headphone can be chic but the big ones really just block too much out... excited to hear more potentially!
I live in Portland AND I am an English teacher. This was so fun to read.
I'm not mad at Thomas. Everyone needs an escape every once in awhile.
omg LOVE !!! i had a wonderful stay in your city
Love the article. Don’t love Thomas.
Agree!!!!!!!
Thomas had my jaw on the floor!!!! I was seriously not expecting it but also I wouldn't expect much else from a man lol I'm glad he was still respectful and you two had a nice time as strangers and fellow diners passing by. I love stories like these and I love the NYC magical atmosphere because I don't see this happening anywhere else in the worlddd
So glad to have discovered your newsletter. I love your pieces
thank you so much :)