Roux is our dog. She thinks and acts like everyone is either already her friend or wants to be. I gravitate toward cats instead of dogs. I don’t hate dogs. I had several dogs as pets while growing up, but I am generally dispassionate toward them. She has won me over because of her earnestness. And she acted as if I liked her well before I actually did. That is her superpower.
I realized the other day that I approach people we encounter while traveling the same way as Roux. I am the goofy Americano who says hello to everyone who will make eye contact. Instead of telling street vendors, “no gracias” and walking away, I always say the equivalent of “maybe later.” It drives Chelsea crazy, but I want to be polite and who knows, I may want to come back and look at a beaded cow skull some other time.
A few days ago, Hobbes and I were walking through the open-air market. There you will find lots of stalls and high-pressure sales tactics. It can be incredibly annoying, especially when the same interactions occur repeatedly. As we reached the end of a row, the twentieth or so vendor was vehemently trying to get us to come into her booth to buy something. I said in Spanish that I didn’t need anything. She replied in English, “Yes, but I need your money.” I laughed and applauded the honesty. It was then that I was reminded that no one in the booths was trying to be a jerk. They were working hard to feed, clothe, and house their families. They were doing what I would do if I was in their position.