How to Talk to Dead People: Start With the Living
Take a minute to think about how you get to know someone. We mentally assess someone as soon as we meet them. The way they choose to dress, wear their hair, their skin tone, etc. tells a story. That story might not be correct, but it's a start. Then, if we are feeling particularly social, we might ask them their name. Some first or last names are so unusual you might feel like asking how they got it. Was it a family name or memorable event for their parents that gave it to them? I always ask. Which usually leads me to where their ancestry originated. One country? Many? I'm always surprised at how willing complete strangers are to offer their story. I then wonder why they're doing what they're doing right then and there. Usually I meet people who are at work and I'm the person they're servicing at the moment. I might find out that they have two jobs and are working themselves through school. Or they miss their children at home because they recently had a setback...