this post was submitted on 11 Dec 2025
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[–] Stalinwolf@lemmy.ca 21 points 1 day ago

There is one particular park in my city that my kid loves to play at. It's by far the most elaborate and impressive, so it's hard to avoid going there sometimes. But whenever we go, my wife and I often encounter a very, very chatty older Polish guy who has lived an exhilarating life of travel, mountain climbing, and spelunking.

His adventures were interesting to hear about the first time we encountered him. But now every time we run into him he spends the better part of an hour just overwhelming us with tales of his adventures with mild occasional racism peppered throughout, with very few (if any) openings to speak or change the subject. You can only say, "Oh, wow.", "Really?", "Woah, that's crazy..", and "Wow, I didn't know that.." so many times before it takes a heavy toll on your body and mind.

There is no off-ramp with the Polish Adventurer. He is there to climb you.

[–] ivanafterall@lemmy.world 15 points 1 day ago

Make sure their mom doesn't have a ring first, if you would, champ.

[–] Multiplexer@discuss.tchncs.de 14 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Relax, the parents all seem to be occupied with kids. Just sit on some bank a little bit away and chill!

[–] AntiBullyRanger@ani.social 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I think the intent is to intersect/outreach, and form peers stronger than guardians’. This strategy allows the less indoctrinated children to form their own philosophy and social bonds that will independize them when they are on their own.
I approve the bearded guardian’s tactic.

[–] LowKeyLooker@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

Thanks for this very human analysis ig

[–] TachyonTele@piefed.social 2 points 1 day ago

I like to watch the kids when the parents aren't looking. We can become friends, too!

[–] medem@lemmy.wtf 4 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Um. What? Does anyone actually identify with this? I live in one of the least friendly countries on earth, and I spent a nontrivial amount of time in children's playgrounds in the last couple of years, and I would have very much appreciated it if anyone, ever, started a conversation there.

[–] AyuTsukasa@lemmy.zip 2 points 11 hours ago

I took it as a joke about avoiding people who give you their whole life story instead of just small talk.

[–] moistclump@lemmy.world 14 points 1 day ago

Did you consider bringing a child with you? Might help.

[–] IWW4@lemmy.zip -2 points 1 day ago

Sadly many on this board do, yet they all suffer from the loneliness epidemic….

[–] pigup@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

The solution is simple. No dad wants to talk to any other dad. So just find a kid who's only there with their dad. Men already have a working solution for this problem in production.

[–] IWW4@lemmy.zip -1 points 1 day ago

Yeah because the last thing you should ever do is socialize with people….