How Often Do You Speak To Strangers

I wonder because of a conversation I had on the T the other day - I was trying to give directions to someone as I walked on to the car, and someone behind me pointed out that I had the wrong street name. I thought it was unusual that she was both listening in AND helpful, so I struck up a conversation with her, and it turned out that she went to my school a few years ago.

Another time, I got to talking with a Boston Irish guy who had just got a letter from his brother in prison - there was some weird coincidence, but I don't remember what it was. I wrote it down. The whole thing was a little unnerving, but interesting.

I try to make a point of talking to people who might interest me - although I won't just launch into a conversation without provocation, I will start conversations if someone asks me directions, thanks me for a favor like picking up something they dropped, or other similar things. When I'm abroad, I try to talk to lots of people, either to practice the language or just learn more.

I think, in general, people around here are pretty solitary and walled-in, with a few exceptions. Working class Boston Irish, some elderly people and some black people tend to be extra-friendly. And, of course, the drunk, crazy and high.

My family and I were getting off of a cruise ship in Miami a couple of years ago. There was a lady behind me, about my age with a couple of pre-teen kids. I hadn't seen them on the ship during the week (it was a big ship). Her husband was seated a couple of rows in front of me.

I overheard her talking about Oklahoma, so I asked if that's where she was from and told her that I had been born and grown up there. To make a long story short, they were from a town I had lived in and her husband and I realized that we had been friends in junior high school.

Being somewhat shy, I hardly ever talk to strangers.

Hardly ever, unless I need directions. I do think I'm friendly, but people tell me that I look intimidating. Which means that I am a stranger strangers are probably less likely to talk to.

I discourage contact with others by ignoring them if possible and by violence if necessary.

The exception is for...well you know.

I've made it a habit to talk-up people everywhere I go. You end up getting to know many more people this way, which is nice and can be helpful in some situations. It's also helpful when you tend to travel a lot. And I like to show people that many stereotypes aren't true.

I rarely talk to strangers but that's only because I'm socially awkward as hell unless I'm drunk.

Occasionally. I'm a rather shy person, at most times I don't feel the need to start talking with stangers. If I am around a lot of stangers for an extended period of time, I'll start asking questions or start random conversations. For example, if I'm in a long line or at a party. Theres also times where stangers approach me of course. But, for the most part I keep to myself.

I live in Korea...everyone here is strange.

I generally only talk to strangers if we're someplace a little unique, or if something interesting has happened and I want to share my opinions/comments/sexual desires with them.

I also do a lot of talking to strangers because my buddies don't speak any Korean, and want me to find out the prices of certain things, or directions, or if a girl is single. I enjoy it. I'm usually shy when it comes to approaching people for my own needs, but I'm quite happy to approach people for another person.

Recently I've been getting stopped by more and more people who just come up and start trying to practice their English with me. If I'm not in a hurry, then I'll stop and chat, otherwise I'll try to only speak Korean to them and see how much it pisses them off.

I have mini anxiety attacks when I am forced to sit next to strangers in close quarters. I immediately wonder if they're wearing garbage Wal Mart clothing and if they've bathed in the past few days.

It depends. Is candy involved?

I'm a pretty friendly dude and I'm in sales so chit-chat comes naturally for me.

Move to another country. You'll talk to people *all the time*.

Originally Posted by CoconutBanana

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I rarely talk to strangers but that's only because I'm socially awkward as hell unless I'm drunk.

Awesome avatar.

I'm not prone to initiate a conversation.