by Joanne Vicente
Member since:
June 13, 2009

Mix it up and meet new people.

November 07, 2009 05:49 PM EST (Updated: November 07, 2009 05:50 PM EST)
views: 139 | rating: 10/10 (13 votes) | comments: 83

Tuesday, November 10, is Mix It Up Day, sponsored by Teaching Tolerance.  It's a simple concept that can make a big difference.  I'm having my students participate by sitting with people they don't know at lunch, and asking everyone at school to do the same.

Why not try it, too? At some point in the day, talk with someone you don't know, and see about making new friends.  That tiny step could make such a difference!

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Comments: 83

dawn marie n. Nov 7, 2009, 6:43pm EST
I know this feeling.Having a lot of new friends is really interesting.Exploring every new people is great!
Joanne Vicente Nov 7, 2009, 6:45pm EST
If everyone did it, the world would be a much happier place!
dawn marie n. Nov 7, 2009, 7:37pm EST
Yes your right!;-)
Ryan Reid Nov 7, 2009, 7:08pm EST
they did this at a school i co-oped with, we thought it was funny because our highschool got along fine with eachother lol
Joanne Vicente Nov 7, 2009, 7:15pm EST
Our kids get along great, but they tend, as most people do, to stay with their usual groups all the time. It would help if they didn't think everybody's name was either That Girl or That Guy. Just being able to comfortable say hello when they pass in the hall makes kids more comfortable with each other. We have about 3,000 in the school, and that can be very lonely and insular for a lot of them. Mix It Up helps at least a few get friendly, and there's no down-side to that.
anne ( way 2 crazy of a life ) c. Nov 7, 2009, 7:28pm EST
that is a great idea
Joanne Vicente Nov 7, 2009, 7:31pm EST
It can mean so much, and it takes so little to do it.
Heather E. Nov 7, 2009, 8:12pm EST
I enjoy meeting new people all the time.
Joanne Vicente Nov 7, 2009, 8:17pm EST
Until I started working with this program, I was too shy to consider it. Getting into talks about it with my students made me think differently...
Debbie W. Nov 7, 2009, 8:38pm EST
What a nice idea
PIF
Joanne Vicente Nov 8, 2009, 11:11am EST
It really matters, too!
PIF
Elizabeth R. Nov 7, 2009, 9:00pm EST
This is a great idea. I have a page dedicated to religious tolerance on my personal website. Will search out new people on Tuesday.
Elizabeth R. Nov 8, 2009, 2:27am EST
Fogot ~ PIF
Joanne Vicente Nov 8, 2009, 11:11am EST
It's a great thing to do.
PIF
That's a great thing you're doing, Joanne. Our school (long time ago) had "the big class, about 100, our son's, when he went to the same school, his graduating class was under 70 students. They all knew each other as we did.

It doesn't have to be in school though. Whenever I go anywhere, ok, the grocery store or someplace like that, I'll find something to compliment that cashier that looks tired, the bagger that's looking like he'd rather be anywhere else, the elderly person that walks with a cane, but they've got a fancy-looking cane, and I try to make them at least smile, if not outright laugh.
I may never know their names, but it's a bright spot in their day.

Marilyn
Joanne Vicente Nov 8, 2009, 11:12am EST
Such a great thing to do. It makes me feel great when I see someone smmile, too.
Mary G. Nov 7, 2009, 10:05pm EST
very good idea
Joanne Vicente Nov 8, 2009, 11:13am EST
Try it!
Candice(Candy) E. Nov 8, 2009, 7:23am EST
What a Wonderful idea !! I'll have to try this on Tuesday Nov 10th, Thanks !!
PIF
Joanne Vicente Nov 8, 2009, 11:13am EST
It's sure to bring you a smile, too!
PIF
Nancy Biri Nov 8, 2009, 7:57am EST
That's a very good idea
Joanne Vicente Nov 8, 2009, 11:14am EST
Bringing a little more joy into the world can't help but be a good idea!
joseph k. Nov 8, 2009, 8:03am EST
good idea thanks PIF
Joanne Vicente Nov 8, 2009, 11:14am EST
Try it, Joseph. It brings smiles to your day!
PIF
d d. Nov 8, 2009, 8:44am EST
our school does this. thanks PIF
Joanne Vicente Nov 8, 2009, 11:14am EST
Great!
PIF
Rhonda M. Nov 8, 2009, 10:06am EST
Neat..PIF
Joanne Vicente Nov 8, 2009, 11:15am EST
Happiness is such a good thing!
PIF
Tiffany v. Nov 8, 2009, 10:06am EST
Working where I do, I meet new people all the time. Talking to different people comes natural to me.
PIF
Joanne Vicente Nov 8, 2009, 11:15am EST
Feels great, doesn't it?
PIF
Katie R. Nov 8, 2009, 10:08am EST
Sounds like a good idea. It never hurts to meet new people. You learn something different for every new person you meet.
Joanne Vicente Nov 8, 2009, 11:16am EST
It makes every day a little better!
Sandra H. Nov 8, 2009, 11:44am EST
I think it's a wonderful concept and a great idea!.....PIF
Joanne Vicente Nov 8, 2009, 11:49am EST
Making new friends is a wonderful thing!
PIF
pamela r. Nov 8, 2009, 3:44pm EST
This is great!!! A concept I like to try here. ~~PIF
Joanne Vicente Nov 8, 2009, 4:18pm EST
It's being done all over the world. More people need to join in!
PIF
jenn g. Nov 8, 2009, 5:04pm EST
that is nice, pif
Joanne Vicente Nov 8, 2009, 6:02pm EST
It's a really good thing!
PIF
Lady of Lake Merritt ... Nov 9, 2009, 7:03am EST
i'll try it
Joanne Vicente Nov 9, 2009, 4:24pm EST
Nothing to lose, and a lot to gain!
Tiffany v. Nov 9, 2009, 10:40am EST
cool,
HH
Joanne Vicente Nov 9, 2009, 4:25pm EST
It is, indeed!
HH
Stacey *Mamasaid* D. Nov 9, 2009, 12:54pm EST
This is a great idea! I organized a Unity back in college which they do throughout the county now. pif
Joanne Vicente Nov 9, 2009, 4:26pm EST
It's working for more people every year. Soon I hope it will go to much more often!
PIF
H M. Nov 9, 2009, 1:27pm EST
Thanks for all your hard work, PIF!
Joanne Vicente Nov 9, 2009, 4:26pm EST
It's actually fun!
PIF
sonia v. Nov 9, 2009, 1:40pm EST
that is a neat idea
Joanne Vicente Nov 9, 2009, 4:26pm EST
...and it works really well!
PIF
.* Sandi * Nov 9, 2009, 2:20pm EST
good idea!!!
pif
Joanne Vicente Nov 9, 2009, 4:26pm EST
Truly!
PIF
shelly R Nov 9, 2009, 2:26pm EST
I love this idea.....I wish more people in this tiny community I live in would be receptive to such a thing. I've lived here now almost 2 yrs., and have ZERO friends. I could be doing more, but can't really join clubs and such as I need to focus my time/erergy on getting a job! Again, love the idea.....the world would be a better place if more people did this.
Joanne Vicente Nov 9, 2009, 7:07pm EST
Even saying hello and smiling in the line at the grocery store feels great!
what a great idea..pif
Joanne Vicente Nov 9, 2009, 4:27pm EST
It certainly is, and it's fun!
PIF
Elizabeth B. Nov 9, 2009, 4:17pm EST
I try to do that at least once a week....:>} ya just never know who you may meet!
pif
Joanne Vicente Nov 9, 2009, 4:27pm EST
I'm sure you've met some great friends that way...
PIF
Laura C. Nov 9, 2009, 6:07pm EST
what a great idea! I was a girl scout growing up, and that was something we'd try and do too. I'd always say hi to new people at school, and even when I was an adult i'd try and befriend any new people at work. Now I say hi to new people moving into my apartment complex
Joanne Vicente Nov 9, 2009, 7:08pm EST
You never know -- a wondreful friend could come of a little smile!
lena k. Nov 9, 2009, 6:55pm EST
i don't get out much so i will try to meet new people on here pif
Joanne Vicente Nov 9, 2009, 7:08pm EST
It's great!
PIF
Elizabeth S. Nov 9, 2009, 7:06pm EST
I've always taught my kids to meet at least 2 new people at any event they attended. My daughter did well in junior high, college and even in school in England because she enjoyed meeting new people.
This is such a good idea.

HH
Joanne Vicente Nov 9, 2009, 7:09pm EST
What a wonderful thing to teach your kids! After all, strangers are just friends we haven't met yet...
HH
PIF
Jan S. Nov 9, 2009, 7:14pm EST
This is a wonderful idea. At this point in my life, meeting new people is mostly on Gather. We're retired and live in a rural area. Surely there will be someone new to meet... pif
Joanne Vicente Nov 12, 2009, 6:48pm EST
I like Gather friends as well as in-person friends. I'm not shy here, but I'm painfully shy in public.
PIF
HEIDI F. Nov 9, 2009, 9:29pm EST
great idea
Joanne Vicente Nov 12, 2009, 6:49pm EST
...and very effective!
Donna W. Nov 9, 2009, 9:55pm EST
Very nice idea.
PIF
Joanne Vicente Nov 12, 2009, 6:49pm EST
I hope it continues to spread rapidly as it has for many years now!
PIF
Marsha S. Nov 9, 2009, 10:59pm EST
good idea
~Pay It Forward~
Joanne Vicente Nov 12, 2009, 6:50pm EST
And it's fun!
PIF
Lona Herling Nov 9, 2009, 11:54pm EST
Sounds like a great idea.
PIF
Joanne Vicente Nov 12, 2009, 6:50pm EST
It really is!
☼ Lisa ☼ G. Nov 10, 2009, 9:48am EST
thats nice
pif
Joanne Vicente Nov 13, 2009, 8:46pm EST
It's fun, too!
M. G. Nov 10, 2009, 11:26am EST
That is a great idea, maybe it will teach some tolerance to the most intolerant group.
M. G. Nov 10, 2009, 11:27am EST
PIF, I do think children are intolerant because of what parents teach without meaning to.
Joanne Vicente Nov 12, 2009, 6:51pm EST
Why can't we all pass along positive, life-affirming things?
Michelle S. Nov 10, 2009, 11:37pm EST
we did this one year at the elementary school i worked at. it turned out really well. -pif-
Joanne Vicente Nov 12, 2009, 6:51pm EST
As every year. many of my students were shocked at how nice other kids they didn't know were!
PIF
dreama e. Nov 12, 2009, 6:46pm EST
Such a neat idea
Joanne Vicente Nov 12, 2009, 6:52pm EST
The kids really enjoyed it!
Stacey (Jesus is coming soon! ) U. Nov 13, 2009, 8:31pm EST
Hello, just stopping by from Paying it Forward
Joanne Vicente Nov 13, 2009, 8:46pm EST
Thanks so much for visiting!
PIF

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