The nose knows

Monkeys are known to emulate one another in the wild. One monkey sees another using a stick to dig termites out of a hole and "ta da" humans are no longer classified as the only tool using mammal on the planet.
People, much like monkeys mimic each other for many reasons. Be it a new fad that is so catching you just can't help but copy someones style. Maybe the girl at work files her nails into a square fashion that is just so cute that you have to try it. Or the guy at the gas station gets his window's squeaky clean and clear by flinging the water out of the squeegee between each swipe. Whatever it is we pick up from each other, we do it for a reason, either because we think that it seems like a good idea, or we want to see what it feels like to do something a different way.
Case in point. Yesterday, I was shopping for fruit, ahh yes glorious summer peaches, cantaloupes, plums and bright red juicy strawberries. All ripe and fresh for the picking, or er...bagging. I noticed that the store was selling several types of peaches. White peaches, large peaches and just plain old peaches. I went first for the large peaches because I suppose the American way of bigger is better is still in my psyche aside from the fact that I am a reformed type yogini searching for something simple and maybe not so big. It could be worse though, at least it's not a Cheetos grab bag. I reached for a beautiful orange red jumbo peach, feeling the fuzzy skin on my fingers and heaviness in my hand. My next instinct is to experience this peach with my other sense organs so I brought the peach to my nose and very slowly inhaled the luscious aroma. Much like fine wine, there is a technique to sniffing produce. Depending on the variety, you can either sniff slowly (you want to do this with peaches since the fuzz can quickly enter your nasal passages) or you can sniff a little quicker, something I like to do with melons. As I was enjoying my own little private affair with this particular peach, I became aware that someone was watching me. Pulling the peach away from my face, I looked over to notice an older man in about his 70's watching my technique. "Does that work?" he asked. Suddenly I realized that my little peach incident was under scrutiny, so me being the natural educator that I am decided to give this man a little lesson on fruit sniffing. I informed him that since I was a little girl I have always smelled my produce and my nose has never failed me, giving me the gift much like a bloodhound to sniff out the freshest, juiciest and boldest tasting fruit ever. "Hmmm" he replied with a very thoughtful glance. "Maybe I'll try that." As I walked away after bagging my peaches, I looked back to see this very curious old man inhaling the intoxicating scent of summers gift, the peach. I also noticed a smile on his face, which brought one to mine in exchange.
Learning from others is a gift. Try looking around and see if there isn't something you can pick up from another human being.