Why Talking Strangers Will Change The World

March 7, 2012 6 Comments


A while ago I got into the habit of talking to strangers. Whether I was on the bus, the train, in a store or walking down the street, I actively looked for opportunities to engage others.

It was amazing, I met lifelong friends, I had intimate conversations with refugees, drunks, old people, immigrants and entrepreneurs. I got to know the city that I was part of in a way that I had never seen it before.

I saw life through the eyes of others, piecing together a mosaic of stories that totally enriched the way I viewed the world.

Talking to strangers isn’t easy, we have to beat back that fear engrained deeply into our consciousness from a young age; don’t talk to strangers, don’t talk to strangers, don’t talk strangers.

But if only we all talked to strangers, then they wouldn’t be strangers anymore and the world would be a much more joyful place.

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About GeoffTalbot: Geoff Talbot is the founder of this Creative Blog. He loves writing words that encourage creative people.

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  • http://www.writerswritingwords/parthenon-was-not-built-in-a-day Eleni Poulakou

    Well, we’re big boys and big girls now…
    I have seen people reacting really positively when engaged in conversation, in the bus or on the street — it’s heart-warming, it’s fun, it’s social, it’s giving and taking, it’s sunny!

    • http://sevensentences.com Geoff Talbot

      Yes we’re grown ups – not so much need to be afraid. I am afraid you come from a much friendlier place than most Eleni

  • Alex Gulland

     Sometimes you get a shocked reponse especially here in the UK but most people want to connect and communicate but if you can make someone else smile and laugh then its a great feeling.  If you think about it, we are connecting with strangers everyday on-line so why not carry this habit thru into real life. 

    • http://sevensentences.com Geoff Talbot

      It really is a great feeling to make a strangers day… thanks for sharing Alex

  • Pop

    What about the HOW of this idea? What if your fears are rooted in not really knowing what to say or not wanting to engage in boring small talk about the weather, or you have thoughts like “what if the conversation turns awkward?”, etc. etc.

    • http://sevensentences.com/ Geoff Talbot

      Hi Pop,

      The how is very important BUT it all starts with the desire to do this. I have practiced a lot of talking to strangers AND I have a lot more to say on this topic… it might even be a book or a documentary.

      Thanks
      Geoff