To talk to strangers

Sorry for the delay in answering Tegan2 yes, it was John Sentamu, a charming gentleman who was interested in my day and where I worked and told me all about where he was going for the day. Another time I had a chat to Ed Milliband who was just about to catch a train at Coventry Station

Not really answering your question - but just a comment. If you are out with your daughter and the grandchildren, maybe that isn't the best time to be striking up random conversations with strangers. My mother used to do that, and we'd be left stranded while she talked away to someone else. Maybe your daughter feels like I did - you're out with her but more interested in strangers. I can identify with that completely.

I love chatting to strangers and finding out about their lives. I have always been quite shy but find that now, just starting a conversation is quite easy and very interesting. Unlike others it does not lead to anything exciting or new friendships but it keeps my mind occupied for a while and I always remember the conversations. I hope it does for them too.

Varian I'm sure that clergyman benefitted greatly from you giving him a good listen. If he had spoken to someone who knew him, they may have done what so many of us do- gone into rescue mode and offering solutions. It is natural but sometimes we need to talk/think out loud.

Me, too! I often strike up a conversation with a stranger. It's amazing what people will tell you. Like others, my children and grandchildren think I'm weird!

I always chat to random people- it makes the world a better place. I am an introvert - you don't have to be extrovert to do it.

I’m another who loves a chat with random people. My DDs are the same. I have acquired several good friends this way. It’s always nice to put a smile on someone’s face just by a few friendly comments. Even in Vietnam last month DH and I enjoyed an hour sitting by a lake chatting to two young girls who asked if they could talk to us to practice their English.

I love talking to strangers and so did my Mother. I was once crossing the road with her and turned round to see her in the middle of the road talking to a complete stranger.
I saw that article janeaisworth so I shall be living to a 100 as well.
It's really nature though, isn't it ? I have a DD and a DH who wouldn't talk to anyone, as they are introverts.

Maggiemaybe, I could have written exactly the same.
If everyone did this, there would be fewer people feeling lonely.

I was once approached by any elderly man in the street with the remark "You ain't a local yokel!". After chatting a while, he told me that he had fallen into depression after his wife died a couple of years before and that his doctor had advised him to talk to a stranger every day. I was his "stranger"of the day. He also said that he had quite recovered.

Was that John Sentamu Glitter? He blessed something at Bamburgh Church one day and then had his photo taken on the cricket pitch with all the villagers. We arrived there at the same time and I said I didn't want my photo taken as I had no make up on, and he just grabbed me by the arm and made join the group. A lovely man; so warm and friendly.

How lovely to read about how friendly people can be. I would love to be more of an extrovert but basically I am not and have to overcome a degree of shyness. When I was younger, I must have come across as ' standoffish" rather than being shy

I have a very close, long time friend who I met at the seaside while sitting on a bench we chatted all afternoon and even though we live a couple of hundred miles apart we still keep in close touch. I speak to everyone, everywhere, once had a wonderful conversation with the Archbishop of York on an Intercity train

It's a bit of a family joke that whenever we go out all together we have to allow extra time on walks etc. for my father-in-law to strike up a conversation with random people. He's genuinely very interested in others and, as he has a brain the size of a planet, he can talk knowledgeably about almost anything. He has the knack of making people feel special.

I remember about fifty five years ago I was on a train from Glasgow to London and sitting opposite me was a man in his forties who told me that he was a clergyman who had lost his faith.

I got the impression it was something he hadn't spoken about to any of the people who mattered in his life.

We talked for a long time. I could not possibly have offered any advice. I was very young and had little knowledge or understanding of his predicament. I just listened for most of the time and occasionally asked a question. I've always wondered what he decided to do.

I wonder if it's an age thing? I used to be forever hanging around impatiently waiting for my DM to finish exchanging life stories with perfect strangers, and now I'm just the same. DH has asked me many a time how I know the check-out operator I've just been chatting with, and it's always someone I've met for the first time. People are interesting, and we'd miss out on so much if we didn't find out their stories.

I love talking to strangers on bus, train, out walking , my gd once said to me do you know everyone. I just explained no I don't know everyone but I'm interested in people and sometimes I may be the only person they talk to that day. Although we make it clear she mustn't talk to anyone she doesn't know unless she has an adult with her.
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I love meeting new people and talking to them. Husband teases me - so how many children has she got? What is she cooking for dinner? etc.
He's fairly sociable too.
After living out in the wilds for the last 15 years it's a treat to have so many people to talk to.

A lady in Tesco the other day had a large trolley filled to overflowing with Easter eggs. She smiled when she saw me looking, and said "No, I haven't got a lot of children, I work at a care home" She went on to say that residents and staff all get an egg. But that some of the residents are very ungrateful and there is much back biting and arguing about who has the largest egg.
Made me think though

I talk to anyone, which is exactly what we all do on GN. My DH has learnt the advantage of striking up conversations with random people after suffering a mental breakdown that left him very isolated for a couple of years. It is becoming the byword of doctors and other health professionals to help us maintain healthy minds.

Ooh yes. Me too. I often have lovely chats with random people. I've made friends that way too. Sadly, if I have a conversation with someone on the bus I'm sometimes left wondering how they got on with a particular situation but I never see them again!

I have a wonderful friend, in his 80s, who says What would life be without the pleasure of chance encounters? He is such a lovely, gentle, interesting man, always ready with a smile. People like talking to him.

Lovely chats on buses every time I go out!

I will often speak to strangers and it does brighten my day and I hope theirs too.
I spoke to a young girl in the nail salon today, and she was telling me all about her day; nothing special but very pleasant and I agree with @janeainsworth in that the social interaction is the key

@grannyactivist that is lovely