I have met so many beautiful locals on my travels, and almost all of them hissed at me, so I have learned a lot. The first rule is slow blinking. It is a language older than words. Blink slowly, then look away. If they blink back, congratulations, you are friends.
If they hiss, back up. Do not explain yourself. Do not offer a snack unless you plan to leave it and go. And never, ever sit in their chair.
The best local I ever met was a one eyed calico named Dolores. She showed me her favorite sink. We never spoke. It was the deepest conversation of my year.
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