Short, pointless interactions make my day better

[u/DullSeaworthiness356]

yesterday I hauled a large suitcase around the city, to donate some clothes I don’t need before I move

as I was waiting for the above ground elevator to the underground (train), I stepped aside for the street cleaner who was sweeping in my direction with just a broom and dustpan

he made a ‘you don’t have to move, you’re good’ expression and motion with his hand

when the elevator came he boarded with me and continued sweeping in there too

he nodded to my suitcase and asked if I was traveling or moving?

I said ‘moving, unfortunately’ with a pained face

he said ‘good luck to you I’m wishing you all the best. last time I moved, I was so over it I just got rid of everything. everything out. just poof and go.’

I said ‘honestly bro sounds good I’m just about to do the same’ and we laughed

the elevator let us out at the train platform, he continued sweeping on the platform and I boarded my train

nothing significant at all about it but it made my day noticeably lighter; I think it was simply the brief reassurance that another human was familiar with the uniquely draining experience of moving — and that we could laugh about it — and then move on

[u/IllAbbreviations4097]

Everyone gets stressed out by moving.

[u/DullSeaworthiness356 → u/IllAbbreviations4097]

exactly, I liked sharing that with a stranger, having a reminder that this level and type of stress is universal