gaynonsense:

I didn’t always understand pleasantries. It was just useless chatter that filled our limited space and time.
But now I watch, and listen. I watch the strangers who bump into each other, who then smile and say sorry. The customer who sincerely thanks the service worker. The acquaintances who gently enquire about each other’s lives.
These rituals hold magic. They are peace offerings. Reassurances that all is well, and that there is no ill-will here between them.
So much of life is conflict. Every day everyone struggles with something.
How wonderful that we find ways to be kind to each other. To hold space to interact as much or as little as the other person needs. To communicate that everything is okay. Here in this moment, with this person, everything is okay.