Get ready for "Spring" to be "Sprung"

I have to admit I am no lover of Winter as a season.

Though there will be many sensible arguments about its importance it always has a feel of an obstacle course to me and others never seem at their best.

That said, these days you begin to wonder where winter begins and ends.

It’s the end of March and here we are....still in the snow!

Of course we Brits are well known for having our weather as an easy talking point and it opens conversations with relative ease for most people.

Starting conversations can feel very difficult for some people and the reasons are genuine.

When you meet someone for the first time it can feel awkward wondering what might open the conversation. We have no knowledge of them and search for something we might have in common.

Hence the weather is safe and have you ever noticed how dog walkers always stop to chat.

They can see that they have something in common.

The helpful bridge to starting a conversation is to send out a big warm smile and see what comes back.

Someone’s smile always cheers me up and makes that person seem pleasant and approachable.

Some people are very tactile. When they shake your hand and add the gesture of touching your arm at the same time, they create a very relaxed setting and radiate a very welcoming gesture.

If we feel a little anxious when walking into a room of people, never doubt there are others feeling the same way.

Confidence on the outside can often mislead us into thinking people don’t suffer hesitancies.

Sometimes someone stands out in a room looking rather lonely. I make a point of making my first introduction to such a person.

I feel good about it and their welcome is always positive.

It’s amazing too how often they prove to be the most interesting people.

I’m usually the one in a group where everyone is laughing. Telling people funny stories about myself gets people laughing with me and it can produce a very relaxed atmosphere.

It makes everything feel human and knowing there is at least one idiot in the room makes people feel less need to feel tense.

Humour, like the Sun, makes people feel at their happiest.

So, when will Spring be Sprung!

I doubt there’s much point asking a weatherman.

Most reports simply assure us we will be getting weather...but seldom makes it clear which to plan for!

The daffodils are waking and soon the countryside will return to its amazing range of green colours.

South Yorkshire, like most Counties, is beautiful to behold in its splendour and something to look forward to.

Just to prove how you can find an “opener” there’s another.

My names Derek, I’m from South Yorkshire, have you come far?

Keep it simple or do some homework.

Don’t be like the “posh” lady who attended a glittering event at Manchester United FC who, when speaking with Matt Busby asked rather pompously “What do you do here?”

Sir Matt, being a Gentleman, downplayed his well known role.

As you can see though, he would be amused telling the story to others later and hearing it would reveal that he too could see the funny side.

Being ourselves leaves others the choice of whether to like us or not but being positive in our interest of people will generally result in good outcomes.