I am! Not as often as maybe I’d like, and it helps a lot if they are as eager to talk to me, as I’m not so charming as to make a grump suddenly open up to me (my father can do that!). After I wrote this story, I made another friend while staying in line for a plasma transfusion. I meant to write that story as a part II of this one, but I waited until I could meet him for another drink. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Life got in the way, and then I moved to another city. I’m still dying to write that story, though.
Andrei! Oh I loved this post. As someone who has long adored talking to strangers, I wholeheartedly endorse doing so for all the reasons, those you mentioned, those your therapist was implying, and so many more. Deeply engaging with strangers is a fine way to remind ourselves of how interconnected we all are. Thanks for this lovely post! 🥰
So you are Romanian? The only native Romanian I have met was one of the most positive lightsome yet mischievous people the world has ever been blessed with. Hope you all are like that.
I feel like all I do on social media is run into strangers and attempt to engage them. Going in person is a completely different experience, eye contact is incredibly powerful and sharing food too. I would be happy standing on the street to talk to anyone but Americans think that is weird unless you are selling something or running a survey. It is like the only lesson they learned from their mommies was never talk to strangers on the street.
I used to be a nun. Strangers used to come up and pour out whatever they wanted to my religious habit. A few made the astute observation that I might be human and also have a story. More often I was the one who felt lonely afterward. But yes, you gave that man a sense of belonging and human dignity by your genuine interest and kind gesture. It is a priceless gift that can make the difference between life and death for someone on the brink.
I always talk to strangers. It’s a family trait. Once, during an especially stressful time, I actually had a lady pray for me in Aldi’s because I asked her something, which led to a conversation which led to her praying for me and my hubby. It’s a real blessing to talk to strangers.... try it.
Well, I did. This story was the first time it happened, and I’ve talked to strangers since then, though this has been the deepest conversation I’ve had yet.
I have to say, that I have a kind power to attract people who tell me about their lifes without knowing them at all. The last time that happened that, I was going to Madrid, capital of Spain, to enjoy an opera concert in the theatre. I went by bus, and the trip took around 2 hours more or less. A woman in her early sixties sat next to me, and said "hello". It was sunday, and the bus stopped in several different villages during the trip, that was the reason for the trip to be quite long in time. Suddenly she started complaining about that, and compared this trip with the one she did a week ago to go to Valladolid (the city were I live), to visit her son. In that occasion, the trip was shorter because the bus didn't stopped at all. After that, she started telling me about her life, husband, dog, daughters, the son she'd just visited, the illnesses she had with its treatments... and the last thing she told me was, what she was going to do when she arrived home that afternoon.
I hoped the trip to be quiet and calm, in fact, I took some notes to read during the trip, but the universe had other plans for me in that trip 😅
By the way, I find interesting talking with people, and see the different points of view and different lifes that people have. I think talking is good for the soul, and for health, After that conversation, and others I've had the same way, I always think about that point. What a big amount of different people we are in the world!
Such a beautiful, heartwarming story. My wife is the same, and we laugh about it a lot, the way people tell her things all the time. Like with you, random people will just come to her and tell her their life stories. I was one of those people, once upon a time, too. I also find talking to older people really pleasant. They have a gentleness in them that younger people haven't discovered yet, and are somehow more relaxed, more content, I suppose. And they project that onto you. But every person is different, after all, and I shouldn't generalize. I've met old people who were very content with their simple lives, and still others who had achieved much more and were still bitter and resentful. But it seems like the lady you talked to on the way to Madrid was of the first category. I'm glad you got to meet her.
Once again, thanks so much for reading, Sara! I look forward to your thoughtful comments every time.
Great story, your narrative skills are outstanding.
I love talking to strangers, and each conversation with a stranger ends up being memorable in its own way. I remember standing in line for some drinks at the first ever concert I went to in my life, and meeting someone who was there on her 25th concert. Was great to exchange notes on how our experiences differed. We never stayed in touch but having that stark contrast of experiences made the conversation memorable!
Thanks for the kind words and the story, Punit! Concerts are an amazing place to meet like-minded people, as well as to deepen bonds with people you might now, but not that well. I’ve so far been to two concerts with a former work mate, and it seems like every one of them is bringing us closer, way more so than work ever did.
Well, I guess you have a new reader/subscriber now. As I also rifle through my memories, like Lyle, for a stranger encounter. 😅 No such luck. I’m averse to running into people I know. Which makes your conscious choice to interact so personally with someone you don’t all the more curious. Therapist exercises are largely off-target I’ve found. Mine told me to meet new people. So I left the country. 😂
Haha, I don't know if I'd say they are LARGELY off-target, but they might just not be the right exercises for you. I'm extremely grateful to my therapist for teaching me how to understand my emotions and listening in a non-judgmental way.
And don't get me wrong, I don't talk to strangers on the daily :) this was a curious occurrence from start to finish, and I'm not sure I'll ever have a similar experience.
What a great story, Andrei! And what a coincidence since I'm finishing up a piece about meeting a stranger too
Thank you kindly, Lyle! And haha, yeah, that’s an amazing coincidence. Can’t wait to read yours.
I've come to the conclusion that the piece isn't quite ready but I'll get it published soon-ish
Might be your best piece yet. Congratulations and carry on!
Thank you so much! I missed your comments.
So are you still talking to strangers?
I am! Not as often as maybe I’d like, and it helps a lot if they are as eager to talk to me, as I’m not so charming as to make a grump suddenly open up to me (my father can do that!). After I wrote this story, I made another friend while staying in line for a plasma transfusion. I meant to write that story as a part II of this one, but I waited until I could meet him for another drink. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Life got in the way, and then I moved to another city. I’m still dying to write that story, though.
Andrei! Oh I loved this post. As someone who has long adored talking to strangers, I wholeheartedly endorse doing so for all the reasons, those you mentioned, those your therapist was implying, and so many more. Deeply engaging with strangers is a fine way to remind ourselves of how interconnected we all are. Thanks for this lovely post! 🥰
Thanks for reading, Holly! Talking to strangers is great. Unfortunately, in this digital world, people are less and less inclined to stop and chat.
What a great story! I enjoyed it very much. My kind of writing :-)
That makes me so happy, Don! Thanks for reading!
So you are Romanian? The only native Romanian I have met was one of the most positive lightsome yet mischievous people the world has ever been blessed with. Hope you all are like that.
Not all of us, of course, but there are definitely a lot of people like that here. Romanians know how to have fun.
I feel like all I do on social media is run into strangers and attempt to engage them. Going in person is a completely different experience, eye contact is incredibly powerful and sharing food too. I would be happy standing on the street to talk to anyone but Americans think that is weird unless you are selling something or running a survey. It is like the only lesson they learned from their mommies was never talk to strangers on the street.
I used to be a nun. Strangers used to come up and pour out whatever they wanted to my religious habit. A few made the astute observation that I might be human and also have a story. More often I was the one who felt lonely afterward. But yes, you gave that man a sense of belonging and human dignity by your genuine interest and kind gesture. It is a priceless gift that can make the difference between life and death for someone on the brink.
Wow, you were a nun? That’s awesome. I imagine why people felt inclined to talk to you.
Yes that is what I am saying, no one would have looked at me twice if it weren’t for the clothes:
I always talk to strangers. It’s a family trait. Once, during an especially stressful time, I actually had a lady pray for me in Aldi’s because I asked her something, which led to a conversation which led to her praying for me and my hubby. It’s a real blessing to talk to strangers.... try it.
Well, I did. This story was the first time it happened, and I’ve talked to strangers since then, though this has been the deepest conversation I’ve had yet.
Good one, Andrei, really good one.
In the Caribbean, strangers talk to each other with ease. What’s interesting is to watch tourists let go of their fears and talk away.
Thank you so much, neena! I love the Carribean vibe. Hopefully someday I’ll get to spend some time in that region and experience it for myself.
Lovely story. Made me think about the world in a different light.
That is the best thing a writer can hope to do! Thanks for reading, Punit.
Oh, I loved this. Beautifully done.
Thanks a million for reading, June!
I always read your stuff. It may take a while, but I get there!
And I appreciate it, always!
Dude, your words are smoooth. Every paragraph flows very well.
Thanks man! And mightily appreciate you reading.
I fell waaaaaay behind this year. Didnt mean to, so gotta get back to it.
As always, thank you for this marvellous story!
I have to say, that I have a kind power to attract people who tell me about their lifes without knowing them at all. The last time that happened that, I was going to Madrid, capital of Spain, to enjoy an opera concert in the theatre. I went by bus, and the trip took around 2 hours more or less. A woman in her early sixties sat next to me, and said "hello". It was sunday, and the bus stopped in several different villages during the trip, that was the reason for the trip to be quite long in time. Suddenly she started complaining about that, and compared this trip with the one she did a week ago to go to Valladolid (the city were I live), to visit her son. In that occasion, the trip was shorter because the bus didn't stopped at all. After that, she started telling me about her life, husband, dog, daughters, the son she'd just visited, the illnesses she had with its treatments... and the last thing she told me was, what she was going to do when she arrived home that afternoon.
I hoped the trip to be quiet and calm, in fact, I took some notes to read during the trip, but the universe had other plans for me in that trip 😅
By the way, I find interesting talking with people, and see the different points of view and different lifes that people have. I think talking is good for the soul, and for health, After that conversation, and others I've had the same way, I always think about that point. What a big amount of different people we are in the world!
Happy week! 😃
Such a beautiful, heartwarming story. My wife is the same, and we laugh about it a lot, the way people tell her things all the time. Like with you, random people will just come to her and tell her their life stories. I was one of those people, once upon a time, too. I also find talking to older people really pleasant. They have a gentleness in them that younger people haven't discovered yet, and are somehow more relaxed, more content, I suppose. And they project that onto you. But every person is different, after all, and I shouldn't generalize. I've met old people who were very content with their simple lives, and still others who had achieved much more and were still bitter and resentful. But it seems like the lady you talked to on the way to Madrid was of the first category. I'm glad you got to meet her.
Once again, thanks so much for reading, Sara! I look forward to your thoughtful comments every time.
Great story, your narrative skills are outstanding.
I love talking to strangers, and each conversation with a stranger ends up being memorable in its own way. I remember standing in line for some drinks at the first ever concert I went to in my life, and meeting someone who was there on her 25th concert. Was great to exchange notes on how our experiences differed. We never stayed in touch but having that stark contrast of experiences made the conversation memorable!
Thanks for the kind words and the story, Punit! Concerts are an amazing place to meet like-minded people, as well as to deepen bonds with people you might now, but not that well. I’ve so far been to two concerts with a former work mate, and it seems like every one of them is bringing us closer, way more so than work ever did.
🙌🏼
Well, I guess you have a new reader/subscriber now. As I also rifle through my memories, like Lyle, for a stranger encounter. 😅 No such luck. I’m averse to running into people I know. Which makes your conscious choice to interact so personally with someone you don’t all the more curious. Therapist exercises are largely off-target I’ve found. Mine told me to meet new people. So I left the country. 😂
Haha, I don't know if I'd say they are LARGELY off-target, but they might just not be the right exercises for you. I'm extremely grateful to my therapist for teaching me how to understand my emotions and listening in a non-judgmental way.
And don't get me wrong, I don't talk to strangers on the daily :) this was a curious occurrence from start to finish, and I'm not sure I'll ever have a similar experience.