Stranger Danger does not apply in Monmouth, IL

I'm in a new place, with a new job, and let's face it, with limited friends. This means lunches are a little quieter than they use to be. I often spend that time alone, which I am finding is good quiet or planning time in my day. Since I love to read, I am often found armed with my Kindle in hand for some down time over lunch.

Today I went to Subway for a quick bite to eat before running a few errands. First, when walking in, I see my future sister-in-law in the drive through (how does that happen?!), and we chat. Then I go inside and hear a familiar voice behind me, only to find Josh's friend and groomsmen, Sean Lee. Small world. Familiar faces. I just laugh at how small this town is if we are that limited in our lunch rotation locations.

I sit at a table, open my Kindle, and begin my lunch - my introvert side takes over and I am pleased to not have to talk to anyone and rather escape into the solititude of my most recent book. I hear someone UN-familiar now say "excuse me".

When I look up, it seems like a nice older man, and he is standing at my table. He begins to inquire about my Kindle. This is not foreign to me as this happens more often than you would think -- both in Monmouth and elsewhere. People always want to know if I like the Kindle, do I use it a lot, etc. In this case, this man is thinking of buying one for his wife for Christmas so wants the details. I am happy to smile and provide them, especially when he apologizes and says that he does not intend to take me away from my reading long.

As we chat for a minute, he seems to develop more questions and then says "Mind if I join you?"
Ummm...guess not...
What do I say? So he sits.
I think, no big deal, just wants to rest his weary feet while he asks me his plethora of questions on the Kindle vs. the Nook, how easy it is to set up, which version of Kindle to buy, what if she doesn't understand technology, etc., etc. So I give him the scoop -- freely and happily -- because I LOVE my Kindle.

Something odd happens while he sits though -- he begins to open his lunch on the table where my lunch is already opened -- and now I am having lunch with this perfect stranger -- talking about where I work, how long I have lived in Monmouth, where he lives, Western Illinois University (yes, he went to school there too, but as he commented "probably graduated well before me"), and his comments on what my transition from Chicago to Monmouth must be like.

This is very odd to me -- I do not feel in danger (oddly since I am practically providing my life information) but rather just kind of weirded out that no one thinks this is out of place but me. In the city, this does not often happen...or maybe ever. You don't really even make eye contact sometimes, sadly. Maybe that's a problem in many ways. Not as open and friendly, I get that. Do people ask people questions, sure...as I said, people in airports or elsewhere have inquired about my Kindle...but no one has ever done it over lunch!

We never exchange names and I soon pack my lunch up to leave, with little of my book read. He apologizes for tearing me away from my reading but thanks me for the advice. He sells insurance, that's all I know. I hope his wife gets a Kindle for Christmas, and told him so.

I texted Josh immediately telling him that no way did a stranger just join me for lunch...only in Monmouth!

In Chicago we learned about strangers -- "Stranger Danger" -- don't talk to strangers. In Monmouth, I think they have different rules. As Mr. Outgoing (Josh) says, "I have never met a stranger". I, on the other hand, know plenty...and met another one today...WILD!