A collaboration between Aesthetics of Research and LAS faculty member Andrew Causey, Muddalions are meant as a gift, a charm, something that can bridge relationships in an otherwise virtual world. The charm can be threaded with a string to be a pendant, tied as an ornament on your wrist, attached to your bookbag. It can be something you give or something you leave behind as a tangible surprise for an unknown other to find.
If you'd like to tell us your experience in giving away this little Muddallion,
we would love to hear your stories below!
I gave my Muddallion to a woman named Raye, whom I met at the airport. Our assignment was to give it to someone in the Columbia College community, but some family circumstances had me heading back on a sudden flight to Portland. I found out that Raye actually had a masters in Anthropology, and now plays drums in a screamo metal band called Immortal Bird. She was about to fly to Portland for two days to drum in another band for a record that they are recording.
ReplyDeleteI gave my Muddallion to a Columbia College student I was passing on the street, Maria. Maria was initially caught off by the gift and asked what it meant and what she was supposed to do with it. I shared with her that it's just a little something special for her and that if she'd like to do the same thing for a stranger she could pick a Muddallion from the library. She was a little stand-offish initially, which is normal when a stranger approaches you in Chicago. You assume they are either going to ask you for directions, money, or your signature. People, who approach you always want something from you, so I think it surprised her that I didn't want anything just to give her a gift. I've given items to the homeless before and people who needed it, but never to someone, who didn't seem to need it, so it was interesting to see the reaction.
ReplyDeleteI was to give my Muddallion to a stranger on campus, however I ended up giving it to a woman named Amber in my Hyde Park neighborhood. As I searched for the recipient on 53rd Street I recognized the anxiety I had around the task--it meant that I had to step outside of my cozy, introverted bubble, and the act of gifting a stranger is definitely not a norm in American culture so it just felt awkward. I felt like I had to explain myself. I wondered if she would reject it. I felt like I was imposing on Amber, who was pushing her infant daughter in a stroller. I chose her because I had talked myself out of giving it to many, many people already. I sat on a park bench for a few minutes psyching myself up, and made a promise to give it to the next person I saw. It was Amber. I was offbeat and uncomfortable, my confidence was low and I spoke really fast. As she received the gift we shook hands, exchanged names, smiled and she assured me of similar assignments she completed while in school. Despite everything that I felt, I'm confident she thought about the gesture for at least a few minutes afterward. I think I would, just like I do when I stranger smiles at me and says hello.
ReplyDeleteI gave my muddallion to a girl named Amanda. She was sitting outside my classroom as I was leaving my class. I actually paced around a bit thinking whether or not I should give the muddallion to her. I was a little fearful that it would be super awkward or that she would walk away and not accept it. When I finally did approach her I explained who I was and what I was doing and that I had a gift for her. She was very friendly and accepting of the gift. We both ended up laughing at the randomness of it all. The encounter was brief in the end I said thank you and walked away. I probably walk past this girl every day I have class but I never interacted with her until today.
ReplyDeletegave my muddallion to a Columbia College student who was waiting at the Harrison redline station. I was a bit hesitant to give it to her because like many others I didn't want it to seem like I was hitting on her. When I finally came to terms that it was time her response was quite comforting. She told me her name was Yazmin and that she was a junior at Columbia College, I then went on to tell her the reason for the gift in which she replied with a smile and a "Thank you so much!". At that time my train was approaching so I said my goodbyes and continued my day. Wasn't as awkward as I imagined it to be.
ReplyDeleteI love meeting new people, but sometimes the idea of going up to a stranger with an intention terrifies me. I was sitting at the Starbucks near my place drinking coffee and using the free internet because my internet at home sucked. ANYWAYS, I was sitting near a middle aged man who was drinking coffee, using his phone and had shopping bags from target on the ground. He seemed like the kind of person whom I can let my guard down. Therefore I decided to use him as my project.
ReplyDeleteAfter finishing my coffee, I packed up my things and approached the gentleman introducing myself as a student at Columbia College Chicago in a Visual Anthropology class. I told him about our project and handed him the muddallion. He seemed really nice about it and said: "Oh wow... thanks... wow..", he then looked at it carefully and thanked me again for involving him in this project. We then bade goodbye and that was it.
Personally, I thought it was a great chance for me to open up myself more and learn how to be more thick skinned and approach people. Even though the built up was horrible, performing the task itself wasn't that bad and I felt really good by the end of it.
I was wandering around the Loop, Muddallion in hand, trying to decide who might be the perfect candidate for my random act of supposed charity, when someone behind me called my name. I turned to see Alexis who also happens to be a student in my Visual Anthropology class walking with a friend I had never seen before. I quickly took the opportunity to approach her friend, a tall dark haired girl and offered her the Muddallion. She was puzzled by the it at first, saying it reminded her from something out of the Phantom of the Opera. I told her she could lie and tell people that's what it was if that worked for her. We ended up walking for a minute or so, joking about Phantom before I had to get to class. It was a pleasant interaction.
ReplyDeleteI gifted my Muddallion to a man named Chris. He is a kind man not afraid to share his interests, at least when it comes to photography. I found him on the corner of State St. and Monroe. What caught my attention was his quick and action to photograph a number of shoppers coming out of a store. Chris, as a silent observer, was caught off guard when I approached him. I wanted to find someone with interests similar to my own. This was difficult for me, even as a diverse person with many interests and talents. Many of the city-goers on the street just seemed to busy as if they all had an agenda–somewhere to be. I wonder why I did not seize the opportunity earlier that day when I was in the Cultural Center. People there were at a much slower pace enjoying the finer things the Chicago Architectural Biennial had to offer. Chris and I conversed for roughly five minutes about the struggles of shooting street photography at night. We eventually exchanged information to continue our relation in the virtual realm. In this gift giving of the Muddallion I resolved that to enjoy the finer things in life we must keep an open mind and let opportunity find us rather than trying to seek out an opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI'll be honest, I had such a hard time doing this. I'm naturally a cautious person, so when I was trying to find someone to give my muddallion to, I made sure they weren't going to either follow me on the train or follow me home (it's happened before).
ReplyDeleteLuckily, when I was in the 1104 film building yesterday, I noticed a young girl who appeared to be completely lost so I'd thought I would help her get to where she needed to go. Her name was Sun-Ye (sun- ya). I proceed to give her the tiny gift. She was quite confused as to why I was giving her and had to eventually explain it was for a class. I found out she is an exchange student from China and has already got a Bachelor's Degree in Film in China. She now wants to learn how American filmmaking and how the two may be similar or different.
As we kept talking, she told me she had heard my name be throw around in the film department and was super anxious to meet me. Our conversation about Columbia's film program and what we both wanted to do in film went on for almost two hours. Unfortunately I had to scurry off to an acting rehearsal, but we friend requested each on Facebook and each now know a new face on campus. I'd say it was a success.
I gave my muddalion to stranger named Collin. I was walking on campus rather quickly due to running late, but he caught up to me and stopped me to compliment my shoes. We talked for a moment. He asked me if I was a Columbia student since I looked "artsy", and I said maybe. He said he was, but I didn't take his word for it. He told me he was studying here and is originally from Hawaii. At that point I figured this was a stranger I could give it away to and I shouldn't waste the opportunity, so I gave it to him and he pleasantly accepted. He kept asking me questions about what I'm doing here in Chicago and I didn't get to say much due to being in a rush and being slightly startled that he caught up to my rather fast running speed—which he did end up complimenting me on. He seemed curious about me, almost evasive, but I'm sure he was just nervous or something. He thanked me and we shook hands and said goodbye.
ReplyDeleteAfter buying the muddallion, due to my introspective nature I immediately wanted to get it over with. "The first person I see," I thought to myself. When I looked at the first person walking my way, it didn't really work out that way. I began to search, and it honestly caught me by surprise. I sensed this unexpected longing for at least some type of connection with the person I would hand this muddallion to.
ReplyDeleteI walked for a couple blocks just scanning. An older woman walked passed me with a kind smile in my direction. In a split second of internal battle I finally decided she would receive the muddallion. I caught up to her and introduced myself as a Columbia College Student, who had a Anthropology project to complete for class. Before I even began to speak she gave me a confused look. But she accepted it, introduced herself as Kaitlyn, and laughed telling me about her crazy day at work. According to her this only added on to the odd things that happened to her today. We spoke briefly about her job and I told her about the class I'm currently taking. Even before she said anything, as I was introducing myself I felt better and a little less tense.
After saying our goodbyes I walked away genuinely feeling like I had leaned a lot about myself. I've always struggled with speaking to others, and this definitely made me feel a little more confident about approaching people.
I gave my Muddallion to a girl I met in the 624 building. We were both waiting for a class on the 13th floor. I struck up a brief conversation with her, something about how uncomfortable the carpet in the halls are to sit on, and presented the Muddallion to her. I expected her to be confused or even a little weirded out but she was very gracious. She did show a little surprise at first but was all smiles after I gave a little explanation. I learned her name is Tana and that she is a Theater Major. We continued to chat until our classrooms were open. This assignment proved to be far easier than I had originally thought and I may have even gotten a new friend out of it.
ReplyDeleteI gave my Muddallion to a girl as we both waited for the train headed north. We were walking towards each other and I bent down and said "excuse me" pretending that she dropped something and handed her the Muddallion. I wanted to do it in a way that was humorous so I wouldn't feel so self-conscious approaching somebody normally. I introduced myself, as did she; her name was Ashley. I proceeded to tell her that this was for my Visual Anthropology class and she expressed interest in the course. I told her a few of the things we've covered so far and she thought it was pretty cool! Ashley is a student at Columbia majoring in film, so we definitely had a common interest as I am a film major too. We talked about some of the classes we took in the major, ones we liked, ones we didn't like and our plans for the future. Overall it was a very pleasant experience, we had a short conversation before heading our separate ways.
ReplyDeleteI walked up to a random table with two guys sitting at it and asked, "Do I know either of you?" The skinnier of the two try to claim that I looked familiar even though I knew I didn't know him. I told them that, for a class, I need to give this Muddallion to someone I didn't know and ask them who wanted it. The skinnier guy took it. I introduced myself, told them I was a theatre student, they told me they were film students and we began talking about lighting and stunts, and sometime during the conversation the skinnier guy put on the Muddallion. It took until me asking outright what their names were for them to tell me. The one with the Muddallion was named Jack, and the other one was named Loren. They found me on Facebook to continue what relationship that we began building. The conversation ended when one of them reminded the other of a mutual friend and they began talking amongst themselves. I said my goodbyes, shook their hands, and left.
ReplyDeleteAfter a week of obtaining my muddallion I finally gathered the courage to give it to somebody (on the L right before I got off, so I could run!) It was a little indifferent. The person had a questioning look, but more than willing to take the gift. With a simple thank you, from the receiver, we were both on our way. While walking away I realized it was not that difficult to give, the scary part is questioning if the person will be welcome to your gift.
ReplyDeleteI gave my Mudallion to a Columbia College student, Dani, who works in the Audio Arts & Acoustics department in the basement of 33 E. Congress. She reacted initially with confusion (as I’d imagine most people would) but grasped the meaning of the gift-giving process quickly when I explained the concept. It was interesting having a conversation with someone whom I’ve seen around plenty of times but never actually met. We ended up stepping outside for a cigarette where the conversation continued. By the time it ended, the Mudallion had been all but forgotten. Awkwardness had given way to casual interaction.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI’m not a very sociable person to begin with, especially when it comes to giving a tiny trinket in a capsule. The day that I gave my Muddalion away, I especially felt self-reserved and in my own world. I approached this guy on Wabash and Harrison and introduced myself and proceeded to ask him if he would accept my gift for class and so on. I told him he didn’t have to worry about me having a crush on him because I had a Tim of my own at home (my boyfriend). He did accept it with slight hesitation and thanked me with question. I parted ways with him after this encounter and headed towards my class. I’m sure this experience would have gone a lot more smoothly if I weren’t so self-reserved.
I purchased my Muddalion Wednesday after class, the day this project was assigned. I was very excited to see what a Muddalion was, and what mine would look like. I put in my 50 cents, and received a yellow little pendant, with circles arranged in the shape of a flower. Thinking back, I can't actually remember the number of small circles that encompassed the one central circle; despite having looking at this Muddalion many times. I had this Muddalion for a very long time, I kept forgetting that I was meant to give it to someone, and even when I remembered, I never knew who I should give it to. I realized that I had a lot of anxiety about giving this "gift" to a stranger. I wanted to give it to someone who might actually like to keep it, instead of simply throwing it away... So I initially thought to give it to a young girl, around my sister's age. Then I got to thinking that their parents would probably not let them keep it anyway, because of "stranger danger," and germs.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a very long time to get up the courage to give this little gift, but I did it tonight. I decided very spontaneously this Saturday night around 8pm, to walk up to "Gino's Steaks Truck," and give it to the man who was working all alone inside. I waited nervously outside at the small window, looking inside to see what his food truck was like. Everything looked kind of dirty; I saw potatoes, onions, and stacks of soda including Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite. Then a large hispanic man caught me by surprise, and he asked me what he could get for me. He seemed only slightly older than myself. I answered him by saying that I actually didn't want anything from him, but instead wanted to gift him this present. And I handed him the yellow Muddalion. He looked very confused, as he studied the pendant. I told him, "my name is Ashley," and I reached out to shake his hand. Returning my gesture he told me his name was Jonathan, and immediately following that he asked, "Is this thing bad luck?" We both laughed after this, and I told him I didn't think that it was bad luck, but that he was welcome to throw it away if he so chose. He then told me that he wouldn't throw it out, I'm guessing out of sympathy. He said he was going to wear it, and as he was trying to fit it over his head, I asked him if he liked to work in his food truck, and he said that he did. I told him it was nice to meet him, and I began to walk off. Im not sure that he ever got it over his head, but I would be willing to bet he thought I was either flirting with him, or just really strange. Either way, I am sure that he won't keep the gift.
I didn't realize how stressed out this would make me. I bought the medallion and headed outdoors. I started to look at each person trying to decide which person would be the least threatening. Or simply, nice. I didn't want to get rejected. I started to pace back and forth on Michigan ave, hoping to find someone alone, that seemed nice and would accept my gift. This went on for ten minutes, until I went to the library, as it would give me a reason to be quite and find isolated people. I found a bearded gentleman reading a book. The first person that was by himself without headphones on. I gave him the muddalion and explained why I was giving it to him. He actually smiled and accepted the gift. I apologized for the awkward interaction, and he said "Nah man, it's actually cool." Which I was taken back a little and said, oh thanks. Haha. I wished him a good day and went on my way.
ReplyDeleteScotty Smith
I gave my Muddallion away to a girl named Morgan in the library. At first she looked a little concerned as to why I approached her but once I mentioned that I was doing this for a class she seemed to understand. She was very appreciative of the gift. She admired it, turning it around and asked where I got it from. Our conversation didn't last long but I could tell she would actually keep the gift.
ReplyDeleteI was very hesitant with this assignment. I'm naturally a shy and guarded person and do not interact with strangers very well. However, upon thinking more and more about what I had to do, it became clear that there was nothing to be afraid or nervous about. My fear was actually very silly, and so I set out with this in mind to find someone to give my Muddalllion away to.
ReplyDeleteI was too afraid to face the cold outside so I took the easy route and headed into the library. There were students here but every one of them seemed preoccupied and I didn't want to bother them. I headed to the elevator and ascended to the third floor. I went through the stacks to the study area in the east of the floor where I found five or six students. There was a girl with dark hair and glasses and the only one without headphones on, so she instantly became my target. When I approached her and introduced who I was and what I was there for, she was a little hesitant. Obviously it was a curious situation: a complete stranger giving away a gift and asking nothing in return. I explained the assignment more thoroughly and showed her the Muddallion. She agreed to take it but was still hesitant and didn't say anything else, so I wished her a good day and made my way back to class.
This whole Muddallion experience ended up being quite comical. When I first heard what we had to do I was very anxious about the idea of not only having to approach a stranger but also somehow getting them to accept a gift from me. The only thought that seemed to calm me down was reminding myself that as students we're all on the same level and that people are much more open and understanding than what I originally thought.
ReplyDeleteI ended up going to the 623 building and immediately found a secluded couple of students doing some work. There was one young man sitting doing math homework wearing a dark, baggy hoodie with skinny black jeans and a smokey gray hat. He lifted his head slightly to avoid the complexity of his math problems and we made eye contact. That is when I chose to make me move. I could see the look of confusion and apprehension as I approached him and I could feel my nerves swelling up the closer I got. As the words fell out of my mouth, a friendly smile spread across the student's face and by the end he laughed slightly at the whole idea of why I was there. He was still chuckling as he took the Muddallion from me and I thanked him multiple times on my way out the door, reluctant that this experience was over and that it ended up being much more successful than anticipated.
Like many others, I was petrified by the idea of not only approaching a stranger, but in addition having to convince this stranger to accept a gift. I reminded myself of the fact that I was in Chicago and that most people are used to being approached on the street regularly.
ReplyDeleteI finally decided to gift my muddallion to a man standing outside of the Hilton hotel. The man was wearing a puffy black parka and I watched him ask several people for cigarettes outside the hotel before I approached him. He looked tired but had kind eyes. I asked him if it was okay if I gave him something and told him about my project. He seemed excited and agreed to check out the website and to maybe even post about his experience too. “I’ll do it if it’s going to help you out”, he told me. I smiled at him and told him to have a great day.
- Emily B.
DeleteMy eyes dart from movement to movement on the 2nd floor of the Columbia College Chicago library. The fluorescent green walls contribute tot he jungle-like feel the room has, flowing with living movement, yet silent and anticipatory. I see a young man wearing tattered, turquoise loafers striding towards the row of raised computers. His hair is lightly gelled to the side and he wears a tangerine zip up jacket. His donning of bright colors and limber disposition seems to suggest to me that he is a rather inviting an open person, so I decide he is to be the one I approach. I briskly move in his direction.
ReplyDeleteI catch him just as his body settles into the scratchy, carpet-backed wheely chair. His head turns tenderly towards me, a pleasant expression resting on his subtly smiling brow. As I explain to him my mission, his patterned gaze ricochets slowly between my eyes and the muddallion in my outstretched palm, the reflection of the sea of ceiling lights tiptoeing back and forth across his pupil. I finish my ramblings and there is a moment of silence. A knowing smile forms on his face, and he extends his hand, whispering, "Wow, this is so cool. Making my day!" I return the smile and gently place the clay creation in his fingertips, following it with the crookedly cut paper instructions for how to share his experience with others.
I extend one last "thank you" as he swivels his body back to the computer, adjusting his seat to better fit his long legs under the desk. As I reach the door, I look back once more at what feels like a small personal victory. He is holding the muddallion between his thumb and pointing finger, examining it closely as if it were truly the archeological treasure it was pretending to be. Because perhaps to him, on whatever type of day this was, it was.
I gave my Muddalion to a Columbia student girl by the name of Chivonn, who was sitting alone in a small, well lighted, second floor study area of the 618 building. She had an approachable aura, and was the only one in the room without headphones or a computer. Instead she had been relaxing, and eating her lunch (probably between classes). That's when I walked up to her and introduced myself.
ReplyDeleteShe listened and smiled kindly as I told her about the Muddalion. About how it was meant as a gift for her, to maybe bring her some charm today. How she could wear it as a necklace, or make it into an ornament, or attach it to her backpack or whatever. She smiled and said that she thought that was cool, that some of her friends liked doing things like this too, handing small gifts away to strangers. I told her I was doing it for this class that I'm taking and she nods in an understanding way. And then she says thanks, and we shake hands. As I'm walking back to class, I realize that even though I'm short one little clay Muddalion, that maybe now - if only just for that moment - I was up one friend.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI approached two people for this project, the second one accepting the gift. I met him in the 623 building on the 7th floor where I was most familiar with the area. I approached him in passing, explaining the project by simply introducing myself and saying how we were to give the Muddalion away to strangers. His name was Jared, and he was clothed in all black, sporting skinny jeans and a chalky faux fur jacket that bagged around his torso in a giant square. During our conversation, he continuously twined his fingers around a thin metal chain wrapped around his throat. He told me how one of his friends had recently been approached by someone in the class, and laughed, explaining how he found the act of giving something freely to be bizarre.
ReplyDeleteHe took the Muddalion cautiously, turning it over in his hands and interrogating me about whether or not it would track his whereabouts or possibly explode. After explicitly assuring him it was harmless and that he didn't owe me anything in return, he eased up stating how pretty he found the designs in the coin shaped clay to be. He then thanked me, smiling before excusing himself off to class.
I turned the corner of the street heading toward the math and science building (618) and as I approached the entrance I noticed a young male sitting on the marble, window sill-like platform that extends from the building. He had black curly hair bunched up into a Blackhawks cap being worn backwards, milk chocolate brown eyes and skin, about 6 feet tall, and wearing slim navy blue jeans with a black Columbia hoodie on. I choked on my words slightly as I let out my first few but picked up momentum as I worked past the initial phase of meeting someone. I handed him the muddalion and began pleading my case, trying to escape any of the awkwardness, but halfway through I'd realized I didn't even formally greet him or introduce who I was so I cut myself off and started over. We firmly shook each other’s hand and exchanged names. His name was Diego and he was a sophomore at Columbia majoring as a graphic design student. We returned to discussing the muddalion and I gave him the small piece of paper that explained the muddalion as a gift, I recommended that he hang it on his gold necklace and he smiled while looking at the muddalion, seeming pleased with my idea, but continued flipping it over and over with his eyes as big as his mouth while gazing at it. He admired the unique beetle type insect that was engraved in it and I gently agreed but then he slipped the gift away into the home inside his jeans. Just as I was sure the intervention was going to end here, for he’d thanked me and put it in his pocket, it had really only just begun. Unfortunately, the topic of the muddalion had been dropped but it continued into what was an interesting background of his life prior to college and while in college. The most prominent topic discussed though was his party life experiences at Eastern Illinois University and how at last years “Unofficial,” which is an all-day event celebrated annually for St. Patrick’s Day at U of I (even though this was at Eastern), he was so intoxicated that he fought a bouncer, got arrested and had been put on probation for a year. After a lengthy half hour, which brought me past the ending time of my class, we wrapped up the conversation on good terms, shook each other’s hand one last time and parted ways.
ReplyDeleteTyler H.
ReplyDeleteI gave my Medallion to a security guard in the Columbia College Chicago. When getting off the elevator, she was the first person that i saw who looked like they weren't having the best day. My thoughts were to find someone who could possibly appreciate the gesture. I do not have any problems approaching people, because this is what i do daily as Film Producer. I network at events and talk to random people hoping to create relationships.
As i approached the security guard, I told her that my professor had asked us to hand out a medallion in the hopes that they would accept. She reached out her hand and calmly took the medallion with no hesitation. She even managed to develop a smile followed by a small compliment towards me. She said, "This really just made my day! Whats your name?". We exchanged greetings briefly and as i walked away i felt as i just made a new friend.
This exercise made me happy knowing that i could have touched someone positively who might have been having a rough day. I plan on saying hi next time i pass the security desk.
I turned the corner and made my way towards the 623 S Wabash building. I knew this building was an environment where it would be at least relatively appropriate to approach a group of students because of it was an intersection where people study and where lots of different majors take gen ed classes, and therefore would most likely be mingling.
ReplyDeleteI walked into the building briefly and looked around for someone to give my mud trinket. Then I noticed, however, that I was far from the only person who had had this idea. I looked to the right through the glass wall that seperated the entrance of the bulding from a little nook with a lounge area of couches. A girl from class was already handing hers to a boy sitting and reading a book there. I looked ahead of me at the tables where people sit and study and drink coffee from the building cafe. There was another girl from class handing hers to a girl with glasses and a laptop out. They were smiling and it was obviously not such a weird situation from either of their points of view.
I walked back outside and decided that this time I would no longer be the observer, but would get over my insecurities and participate in this weird little mission I was sent on.
I saw a group on the side of the building. There were four girls and a guy. A girl with dreads and a nose ring was sitting on the crook of the window and the guy was leaning up against it. The others were standing in a circle talking and smoking cigarettes.
I knew that this was a social setting that would not be incredibly rude to interrupt because of the level of causulty and the interanimation of the place. I had seen and felt the ability to talk to complete strangers, student to student, outside that building in the past.
I walked up to the group and asked if I could talk to them for a moment. I could sense an immediate unease, so I told them that I was a student and joked that I wasn't there to ask them for money.
"Sure, what's up?"
One girl immediately recognized me as a dance major from a dance performance she had seen me perform in on campus. The girl with the dreads and the nose ring agreed and said that she had met me at a party. Instantly the mood had lifted and I knew that I had made my way into their trust at least enough to accomplish my assignment.
"Well guys," I said sheepishly, "I know this is super weird, but I'm in an anthropology class where we were supposed to come out and give this little rock thing to a stranger. I know it sounds super weird, but I'm really shy and I didn't want to talk to a complete stranger, so I decided to talk to you guys because you were all students and you looked more friendly than that guy over there."
I gestured across the street to a man seemed to be cussing out the woman he was walking with for whatever reason.
The jokes and awkwardness worked, and a blonde girl wearing a pink and white flower skirt held out her hand, "Sure, I'll take it."
"I don't know," the guy leaning up on the window crook looked me up and down, "I'm still skeptical. What do we have to do?"
"Literally nothing," I said handing the girl the rock and the paper before they could change their minds. "Thanks guys! You saved me a whole lot of awkwardness!"
We shared an awkward giggle anyway and I walked away from the group.
As I made my way back to the classroom, I thought about how interesting the power dynamics were. I had felt so awkward to approach this group of people, because I knew that as a group they had more authority within the group than I did as a total stranger. However, as awkward as I had been, I also had figured out a way through the use of humor and making a show of how awkward I was and how much I knew they were in power to get in with them and navigate my way to my goal.
I seemed utterly petrified to go up to a stranger and start talking.There were a million butterflies fluttering around my stomach. I walked into the lobby of the 600 Building looking around my surroundings. I approached a guy, he seemed as if he was in a dream-state. He was about my height, 5"9. He had on a black and red hoodie, he was leaning against a wall right next to the elevators. His headphones where playing in his ears, but he did not seem engrossed into what he was listening to. His name was Adam. I explained my professor told us to hand off a medallion to a complete stranger for an exercise. He asked, "Oh! So this is one of those things that you keep passing on?" He was genuinely excited to receive this gift. I felt a real human connection throughout this encounter. A huge relief escaped my body when I noticed this. He said, "Wow, okay I don't know if I'm keeping it or if I'm going to give it to someone else, but this is pretty cool." I ended our encounter by thanking him for accepting the medallion, and we parted ways. I am grateful for doing this exercise because I truly believe this made his day a bit more interesting than previously. If just for those brief moments of conversing, I felt a human resonance.
ReplyDelete-Christina Buczek
The moment I was told about this assignment, I knew that it would just be an awkward experience for me. I can be somewhat shy when meeting new people and to have to give them a gift just added onto the pressure. I walked around the eighth floor in the 624 building and then the bookstore, but no one was really around in those areas as many students were in class. That's when I remembered there are always students sitting outside Ferguson Auditorium in the 600 building and I had remembered correctly. There were maybe five or six students sitting outside and I gave the muddallion to the first girl I saw, as she seemed the most inviting. She was pale with curly brown hair and wore all grey except for the accent of a maroon scarf and some red lipstick. I introduced myself and explained that my professor was making our class do this awkward thing where we had to approach a stranger and give them the muddallion. Throughout our whole interaction, I felt the need to continuously apologize for the awkward experience. She was very sweet in accepting the muddallion and told me there was no need to apologize, yet her friend sitting next to her laughed at the awkward interaction that was happening. She did not introduce herself and the only reason I caught that her name was Cassidy is because her friend exclaimed her name as I handed her the muddallion. I informed her about the website and that she could post a short response about her experience, to which she teased that she should write that the muddalion gave her nightmares. We both laughed and then she asked if there was anything specific she should write to get me a good grade. We both chuckled at the question and I told her I honestly did not know, but she could attempt to write something to help. Then I said thank you, apologized again for how awkward the experience was, and I headed back to the 624 building. The pressure was lifted and I survived one of the most awkward assignments I have ever had to complete.
ReplyDelete-Katelyn Mandel
The experience I had with Student X, I felt very nervous while on the elevator. Plus thinking, “How in blazing will I give this medallion away?” Then first heading to the fashion lab and finally heading to the orange hallway when two students came off the elevator. One of the students was Student X who had turned and looked toward me. Student X shoulders were down at a relaxed position, she was standing a little bit hunched over because of the weight of her black backpack. She had on a tan coat with a zipper, blue jeans, loose fitted cotton t-shirt, and black boots.
ReplyDeleteX has blond and brown hair, brown eyes, round face and it became even more circular when she was smiling. I had wanted to tell her about my mean teacher who was forcing me to give away this medallion but instead before I could finish that statement immediately she said she wanted to have the green medallion. She just took the medallion, held in her hand, stared at it, put it her pocket, looked at me and stated “it is cute” and “thanks for the gift”. The student was happy to receive it and her guy friend who was with her mentioned that he saw and talked to other students about the same exact project. X reaction was not something I was not expecting at all to receive and especially when we were both laughing about the incident and what her friend said as well”.
-Katia Rodgers
My introverted-self doesn’t mingle on campus after classes, but today was different; I needed to get rid of (gift) my muddalion. Ugh! I left campus and headed into the wilderness of strangers only to run into a welcome, fellow classmate who wanted me to just give him the muddalion. No cheating! During our exchange, a female stranger approached and needed help moving an armoire into her truck - $10 per guy. We’ll help! One condition, I gift my muddalion en lieu of $10 wage. Stranger accepted! Sadly, armoire was too heavy and not moved, but muddalion was still gifted. Success!
ReplyDeleteIt’s funny how difficult it can be to find a stranger willing to take a tiny clay medallion for no apparent reason. I carried it in my pocket for days attempting to find the “right” stranger. Tried thrice, but no dice – on the third attempt a very discomforted businessman walked briskly away after his dog jumped up in an effort to eat the offered token.
ReplyDeleteFound myself in an elevator with a group of pre-party drunk college students. “Who wants a tiny clay medallion for no apparent reason!”
Oh the flurry of hands! The cheap-wine giggles! Farewell, medallion.
The person I choose to give my Muddalion was a student that isn't talkative in my Animal Behavior class. During break, the room was bright and quiet with students’ faces planted to their phones.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't nervous but it was weird to talk to a stranger due to an assignment. I introduced myself and go on to explain about my Writing Anthropology assignment. He gives me a confused look up until he decided to accept the gift and introduces himself as Jonathan. I glanced at his bag and start a conversation about Fallout. The teacher then returns to the lesson.
My class was on break, an opportunity I used to give the Muddallion. I shuffled out to the hallway, scoping out the area where the student workers sit. Lately there had been only one worker present, but today there were three. Oh how my heart trembled! I eventually approached the desk and awkwardly handed off the gift. The worker took it, then went back to joking with her friends. I continued to stand there, unsure if I should simply leave, and too shy to interrupt. She finally turned back to say thanks, which I took as my cue to depart.
ReplyDelete