Benches Quote by Rita Gelman
“When I'm by myself, I'm not threatening at all. I get many more invitations than I would if I were traveling with anyone else, especially with a man. But I'm rarely alone. I sit on a park bench and I'm not alone because I pick a park bench where somebody interesting is sitting.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Personal essay, date unknown
The speaker finds solitude less intimidating when surrounded by interesting strangers, gaining social opportunities without a companion, especially a man.
In simple terms: Being alone feels safer when interesting people are nearby.
Seek engaging environments when alone.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- park visits
- traveling solo
- networking events
- public spaces
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does environment affect your comfort alone?
- What qualities make a stranger interesting?
May still feel lonely if connections are superficial.