Duncan Raban is a successful photographer and writer living in the United Kingdom.
He has a very unique approach to life which his blog reports: "to say 'Hello' to a stranger every day of his life, introduce himself, and learn something about who they are."
As Raban was leaving a café inside his local Waitrose, he noticed a dapper-looking older gentleman, sitting all by himself. He made it all the way to his car, but Raban couldn't stop thinking about the man.
So he went back inside and struck up a conversation. The man, known as Bob, confessed that he was quite alone in the world, and opened right up to Raban.
But what happened when he asked Bob about his childhood, Raban absolutely never saw coming…
Scroll through below to hear Raban's beautiful and heartwarming story in his very own words, and to see how one elderly gentleman reminded him just how important it is to always say "Hello."
"Loneliness In Waitrose," By Duncan Raban
"My wife called me and asked me to pop into Waitrose to get some organic food.
As I was leaving, I walked into the wonderful new café area. I noticed someone dressed very smart.
He was a fabulous gentleman dressed immaculately with a tie and a checkered blazer. He had a small white moustache and nicely combed hair. He looked like a very famous British TV personality from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s…
I thought, how nice to see a gentleman looking so dapper, and continued walking out to my car."
"As I sat in my Victor the Volvo, I could not get this man out of my mind. Who was this man, sitting there all alone? I had to go back.
So, I went back to the cafe, bought a coffee and a posh orange cake.
He was still sitting there alone, just contemplating. I had to say 'hello.' As usual, I had to delve into my bank of phrases. I never just say 'hello,' I try to compliment people first.
So I said: ‘You look like an international playboy. You are the best dressed man in Waitrose and I love your checkered blazer.’
He smiled and said: ‘Well, that’s 50 years working in Bond Street in the kashmir trade.’
I felt so underdressed, without a tie and jacket. I knew then I was in for an interesting chat…"
"Bob loved children stories. I said: ‘Bob, in my car I have a 1970’s children’s book called Jolly Stories that I bought this morning in a shop. Would you like to see it?’
I quickly went out to my car and came back with this little 40-year-old book called Jolly Stories and my camera.
Bob’s eyes lit up as I gave him the book. This confirmed to me that we are still all children inside, we just have these adult layers on where we have to hide our childhood."
"I said: ‘Bob, do you mind if I take a few snaps of you?’
Then Bob said something very sad: ‘What for? I’m just an old man. I am 89, I can’t see the point at this age.’
‘Bob’, I said, ‘You are an incredible role model to our youth of today… Look at you, Bob, today you are the smartest man in Bromley.’"
"People like Bob are our walking libraries; they have 90 years of wisdom and wonderful stories to tell. We have to document these people now. Once they pass away, those 90 years of memories will be gone forever.
Bob was laughing as he read the Jolly Stories.
I asked Bob what his childhood was like and he said: ‘Well, rather sad actually.’
What Bob told me next was something I could not quite believe."
"‘I was never close to my mother because in 1923, at the age of 2, I became very ill.’
He was taken to Chailey Hospital in Hertfordshire. His parents were only allowed to see their children once a year, on Easter Monday.
Bob said: ‘I can remember my mother visiting me and I can still see her walking away.’
Bob then began to cry."
"Here I was in Waitrose hearing the most incredible stories from a man I just took the time to say 'Hello' to."
"He took out his handkerchief from his blazer to wipe his tears. Then he held my hand and apologized.
Bob continued by saying that since he was in the hospital for two-and-a-half years, his brother Jack was the kingpin at home.
But, when Bob came back home, aged 5, he became the one getting all the attention. So, Jack became jealous and they never got on for 30 years.
Despite that, Jack is now 92 and they are good friends."
"Bob also said that he had to give up driving due to his eyesight, but he really misses being able to travel wherever he wants. I said: ‘A posh chap like you deserves a chauffeur.’
I asked Bob where he lived. What came as an answer took me by surprise.
He said: ‘Well, near Lewisham. I have owned my house for 50 years. It cost me £275.00. My wife, Vera, was born in it and I bought it from my wife’s parents.’
She died 10 years ago, so now he lives alone."
"Bob went on to tell me more stories about his life…
What a fabulous Saturday afternoon it had become for me.
What I have realised today is we have to celebrate the older generation now, not at their funeral or obituary.
I spent about two glorious hours with Bob and then I drove him home and we were giggling like children in the car talking about cartoons and children’s stories and characters…
How much more incredible could one day get? Bob was more entertaining than any celebrity chat show guest, as are all the wonderful oldies walking passed us all every day."
"All of our amazing older generations are bursting with amazing stories so I just simply cannot emphasize 'say Hello there' to a fabulous oldie daily like I do myself…
Top tip — if you find saying 'Hello' a little awkward, just think of something nice to say, a compliment about their clothes or shoes… and they will light up like a rainbow.
Our older generations are waiting for you on every street corner to tell you about their lives. Just like Bob was alone in Waitrose, they are waiting for you everywhere.
He truly made my heart so happy. What a day this was. Thank you so much, Bob. A true star you are.
#Justsayhello"
This incredible story appeared on the blog Fabulous Oldies
Raban's story is an incredible reminder about the enormous power of simply saying "Hello."
What do you think about Raban taking the time to speak with Bob? Let us know in the comments.
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