> "I like humanity as a whole more because I talk to strangers."
Anyone here have any anecdotes where you had that same experience? What are some good ways and places you have found to get into conversations with strangers?
I actively engage with strangers in public. I do so in ways that match our current activities. What this looks like: Last week I was grocery shopping in the freezer section. The place I pick up tortellinis from had moved them, so me and another person were searching through the freezer cabinets. After a fruitless moment I asked them what they were looking for in the hopes during their search they had spotted the tortellinis’ new location. They mentioned they were also on a hunt for tortellini. I mentioned to them in passing that when a store moves something a note or something similar would be helpful to tell shoppers the new location for the item. We then continued talking about shopping experiences at other places, and some how wound up talking about our favorite dishes. In the end my new shopping acquaintance found the tortellinis and asked me how many bags I wanted.
Most experiences occur in shared events, such as standing in line for something, waiting after for an order to be fulfilled, or simply overhearing a conversation in a shopping center and commenting about my experience on what they mentioned. All these interactions, from my recent memory, have been positive.
I like speaking to strangers. I feel uplifted and I depart conversations feeling like I participated in something societal. At the base, speaking to strangers has also taught me a crap load of stuff too. Examples: how to hang a nearly squirrel proof bird feeder, how to cook lamb better, how to wire a lamp, where good restaurants are, how to put a post in the ground more securely but with less concrete, etc.
And, yes, I like humanity more because I talk to strangers. I see my appreciation for others happen when I become angry at people. I find myself asking “well they’re doing this for a reason, I just haven’t asked them their reason, yet.”
A total aside on the tortellini pointer idea:
> when a store moves something a note or something similar would be helpful to tell shoppers the new location for the item
This is a complete misunderstanding of why the stores move items. :)
https://bettermarketing.pub/the-secret-brilliant-and-questio...
"Supermarkets relocate their products around the store to make sure their customers get lost. As they struggle to find what they came in to buy, customers can’t help it but scan the freshly-redesigned shelves. That’s when the marketing magic happens.
[...]
That’s how you end up with three additional products you didn’t even think about before stepping in the shop. Your active search for pasta made you notice other merchandise and buy some of it.
In short, rearranging the store makes you spend more money — enough money for supermarkets to invest in this technique on a regular basis."
If they would want you to not get lost looking for tortellinis they could just leave them where they were. Heck there could be a tacit understanding between every shop to use the same schema and then you could just go in, grab and get out.
It would just result them earning less money. That is why they don't do it.
I am extremely adept at talking to strangers, and I think its fn great to be able to chat-up a stranger and get to know them. it builds humanity and CO-munity.
I learn so much from others and I have a profound skill for just meeting a random and then being able to relate to them. most people are really surprised at my breadth of knowledge - and the thing is my breadth of knowledge is DUE to the fact that I chat so many people up to know them.
I thrive off talking to randoms.
EDIT: im lucky that I also have a good street smarts and I know what strangers to avoid
Sadly it appears that for girls, ridesharing can be creepy if you do it without a boyfriend. This is not only anecdata from friends and familly: the app i use made a change a few years ago to propose "girls only" rideshare. Which is sad, but fair.
In the UK:
a) while queuing b) waiting for public transport that has been horribly delayed
I lived in Spain for 3 years, not knowing a word of Spanish at first although many of my wiser friends informed me this wouldn't be a problem because everyone in Spain speaks English!
However there are some experiences that you can't buy. There's no entry ticket to an intimate celebration. You have to talk your way into it. You have to put in the work. You have to genuinely care about the people you interact with.
I know this. I've experienced it time and time again. I just left a place full of people I will miss dearly. However after a long day of riding, I can't be arsed to do it. Thank god for extroverts who drag us kicking and screaming into their universe.
It’s a joke how friendly people are and how it’s expected to strike a conversation with your neighbors.
To the point that when picking a spot you might think « no, not this one I need some space »
None are touristy, I live there since 10 years and it’s been a constant.
You don’t made real connection. But a crew of accointanc. In that decade I met one guy that became a close friend. But .. so much people I would wave at and say hi.
Will echo jemmyw about flights. Obviously you don't want to be the annoying seat neighbour, but usually if someone wants to chat they'll make that clear fairly fast. I had some great and interesting conversations with people on planes. Even got numbers from a couple of girls :)
By coincidence, last night I went to a Halloween party - sort of crashed actually. There's really no better a venue for talking to strangers than at a fancy party where everyone is wearing cool costumes. I find it easier to come out of my shell when, for example, I have a kilt and a sword.
I recently bought - after seeing it mentioned on HN - Nick Gray's "The 2-hour Cocktail Party". It's a good resource on hosting parties where people interact.
You’re sharing a room by default, and people willing to do that seem more likely to be fascinating and willing to tell you about it.
I am also a massive introvert, so it works well for me to know that once we’re done sharing stories I will never have to see them again.
It definitely does
It is just medium with less informations eg it lacks face expressions