Benefits of talking to strangers
bbc.co.uk
Benefits of talking to strangers
1–10 of 76 posts
Re: Benefits of talking to strangers
#2You ever sit there wanting to strike up a conversation with a random stranger, and have no idea where to begin?
I think that has more to do with the observed self-imposed isolation than is given credit in the article.
Re: Benefits of talking to strangers
#3I do it all the time... on Twitter and Reddit.
In real life I would never even look at eyes of a stranger.
Probably some people here can relate.
Re: Benefits of talking to strangers
#4You ever sit there wanting to strike up a conversation with a random stranger, and have no idea where to begin? I think that has more to do with the observed self-imposed isolation than is given credit in the article.
Yea it definitely just the fear of striking up a conversation rather than an individual not wanting to have a conversation. If someone were to speak to me I would not be opposed but me starting the interaction is whole different story.
Re: Benefits of talking to strangers
#5You ever sit there wanting to strike up a conversation with a random stranger, and have no idea where to begin? I think that has more to do with the observed self-imposed isolation than is given credit in the article.
Ask them,
>do you have any fun plans tonight/weekend?
>So where do you work?
It basically doesn't matter. I sometimes do the awkward, "hello I'm Michael, what are you doing this weekend?"
Re: Benefits of talking to strangers
#6You ever sit there wanting to strike up a conversation with a random stranger, and have no idea where to begin? I think that has more to do with the observed self-imposed isolation than is given credit in the article.
Ask them, >do you have any fun plans tonight/weekend? >So where do you work? It basically doesn't matter. I sometimes do the awkward, "hello I'm Michael, what are you doing this weekend?"
A compliment or a question is usually a good way to start. "Oh hey, nice shirt, have you seen that band in person?"
Re: Benefits of talking to strangers
#7I'll believe it, the problem is I'm rarely in a situation where I'm near people and have the time to chat. The only times I've talked to strangers, have been, for example, when a crosswalk signal is taking an unusually long time to change. I'm normally at work or at home, and when I'm out, it's normally to quickly grab something to return to one of the two.
Also it's so much easier to strike up a conversation with one stranger rather than a group (which is what I usually encounter going out leisurely. Oddly I found the opposite with established friends / acquaintances. I can talk and converse with a group of my now friends much better than a single friend
Re: Benefits of talking to strangers
#8maybe that is only the case in chicago.
I would find it immensely irritating if some stranger tried talking to me beyond "hello"
Re: Benefits of talking to strangers
#9You ever sit there wanting to strike up a conversation with a random stranger, and have no idea where to begin? I think that has more to do with the observed self-imposed isolation than is given credit in the article.
I have a friend who is excellent at this. He starts talking about whatever, someone's clothes, how his day is going, the weather, anything vaguely relevant to the situation.
People often look slightly uncomfortable at first, but they seem to quickly get over it and start to chatter away enthusiastically. I find it fascinating because I'm totally incapable of doing the same thing: usually I'll be standing next to him squirming with embarrassment at the potential for an awkward moment.
Re: Benefits of talking to strangers
#10I do it all the time... on Twitter and Reddit. In real life I would never even look at eyes of a stranger. Probably some people here can relate.
I can. But I don't think that should be the default state, nor is it healthy.
I'm really trying to do better in this regard, but it's proving difficult to improve at.