Speak to strangers.

I don't normally speak with strangers, but did have an interesting conversation on a long train journey recently. An ex-colleague rang my phone to tell me that another much-loved colleague had died.
The woman sitting opposite heard my words of sadness, and said she was sorry I'd received bad news.
We got chatting and eventually discovered that each of our daughters-in-law work in the same niche musical area, and of course know each other although living hundreds of miles apart.
An extraordinary coincidence.

Another here who chats to all, I get into a bit of bother ( or did) going out in a group because even then I would wander off chatting to all and sundry. Poor Mr.d is long suffering.

I do tend to chat to strangers.
This morning to a lady while we were waiting for item to be bought down from a stockroom
Recently to people on an aeroplane, while sitting on a bench waiting for DH, in the queue for a vaccination and a young lad who complimented me on my hair colour ( a subtle pink ).
Often turns out to be very interesting and there are ways of knowing and letting people know you are not up for chatting.

Boz

I took my 23 yr. old GD swimming at my Club last week. She worn an itsy-bitsy leopard print bikini.
People who usually ignore me became very friendly, especially those of the male gender.

I bet they did!

I was brought up to converse with people at bus stops, on trains etc. as long as I was with my mother, aunts, sister, etc.

When I left home at sixteen, I naturally became more cautious, as I had been warned that men could feel that a girl who was willing to talk was up for more.

But I still chatted to other women on buses, etc. and I assumed (rightly as it turned out) that in such respectable places as the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, the National Museum and various concert halls I could safely even converse about the performance with unknown gentlemen, but I took the precaution of refusing any offers to have a drink afterwards.

It is sadly a sign of out time, that people engage with each other in cyber-space and on mobiles, and that strangers are "The Enemy" and dangerous.

They can be, as indeed they always could be, but if I had adhered to the present day tendency only to speak to people I know, I would be minus a competent gardener and minus two young people (in their 30s) no relations of mine, but willing to come for a couple of days now and then and do such useful things as putting up plaster-board in my kitchen, so I finally can start papering and painting it.

I speak to everyone my friend can't believe it. I walk my dogs and dog walkers are usualy chatty. I live in a small town (Ballymoney) and nearly everyone says hello. I am a libran so naturally chatty.xx

I talk to everyone. It's nice to chat. A lady once told me that life isn't built of a few big experiences but a myriad of small experiences and that chatting for a few minutes to someone is probably one of the best as people are so interesting.

When I took my son to look round York University, he was cringing with embarrassment because friendly strangers kept talking to me, and I kept replying! I though it was a Yorkshire habit! My husband, who grew up in Slough, never got over someone he didn’t know talking to him in the pub!

I frequently talk to strangers. Particularly at gigs, theatres etc; we already have something in common as we are there. You have to “ read the room” however and if the person you are talking to isnt interested then back off and give them space.

Having spent the vast majority of working life speaking to strangers for a living, I find that nowadays, I do tend to keep myself to myself. Having perfected my 'resting bitch face' over the years, I'm very good at avoiding contact with other human beings if and when I want to. I'll quite happily talk to dogs though

I just wish I could strike up a conversation, I’ve suffered with crippling shyness all my life to the extent I even find it difficult to start a conversation with family and friends that I’ve know for donkey’s years

I do this too, mainly to other other older ladies at the bus stop or on public transport. We both enjoy it!

worked on a c/put so always spoke to strangers, was told when i started even if its just about the weather

I'm happy to strike up a conversation with complete strangers. I do it in shops, on public transport anywhere!
The thing that embarrassed my children was my tendency to sing in the street. When we went out anywhere my daughter always reminded me, "mum, dont sing."

I have swapped a `good morning` with at least eight people on my fast walk around town. It was early too. People all talk to strangers here and there is plenty of tact, it gets obvious who does not want contact and we respect that this is their choice.

I live in one of the kindest, upbeat and most helpful places in the uk. It was a good find for me when I decided to move for old age. Old fashioned values abound and that includes speaking to strangers too

Sometimes a few words to a stranger can be life saver.
Years ago I was at Clapham junction station with friends ready to go to Twickenham to watch the rugby. Amidst the crowds I saw a young woman crying on her own. As the train starting coming to the station I saw her step forward over the yellow line on the platform. I touched her arm and said about the rugby match and other trivia. The train stopped and I asked her if she was ok. She replied that's she thought she would be.
I often wonder whether she would have stepped in front of the train.
I think talking to her just changed her mindset in that moment.

Greta

I have been a member of our U3A group for some time but I'm thinking of leaving. There is a very cliquey atmosphere in the group. People sit with those they know and don't seem interested in others. I have said hello and introduced myself several times but I would be very surprised if anybody knows who I am. Having said that I have friends who go to other U3As and feel very welcome there.

Groups of people are very strange aren't they? I plucked up courage to go to WI. A roomfull of chattering strangers.Taking my courage in my hands, I approached a circle of chairs only to be told " I'm saving that for my sister" Attempt 2 was met with " Oh that's Enid's seat"

I stuck it out a couple of times and then gave up.

I find it varies. If I'm feeling a bit down then I don't want to talk to anyone. But often, when I'm feeling ok, I do talk to strangers. Last week I saw an unusual dog of a breed I didn't recognise and couldn't resist asking the owner about the dog. We had a very nice conversation.

I felt the same Greta, my first taste of our local WI was far friendlier.
Sheltering from the rain today I had a chat with a chap about fishing (we were by an estuary), which led on to pollution, an interesting ten minutes, then we bid our goodbyes.

I love a natter and having always worked with the public, I find it easy to strike up a conversation. I’ve met loads of other dog owners whilst walking my dog. Now that I’m retired I can walk at a sensible time and meet people.
At the doctors recently I chatted to an older couple and to a young mum with a really cute baby . I also volunteer in a charity shop and enjoy a chat with the customers.
I used to go to a yoga class with about 20 in it and found the women quite cliquey. They all had their particular space in the room and would save a place next to them for a friend and weren’t in making conversation. I now go to a smaller class of 6 and it’s so much friendlier.

What else do you do in a queue except talk to the person next to you?

I talk to anyone and everyone on trains, buses, shops, queues, surely that’s what makes the world go round

Babs03

Greta

I have been a member of our U3A group for some time but I'm thinking of leaving. There is a very cliquey atmosphere in the group. People sit with those they know and don't seem interested in others. I have said hello and introduced myself several times but I would be very surprised if anybody knows who I am. Having said that I have friends who go to other U3As and feel very welcome there.

I hate this. Once volunteered at a charity shop, tried hard to fit in but was a well established clique there who made it clear that newcomers were not welcome. So I left and volunteered elsewhere soon finding a bunch of people who were only too happy to include me.
Could you go to another U3A, or join a different club?

This made me smile- oh the irony, to say this on GN of all places!

I'm 82 and it sounds silly, but I am still quite shy. My eldest son keeps telling me to speak to people when I'm out. It's not easy for me, but boy when I do have a good old natter I certainly go home feeling a lot happier .

When I was much younger, I was extremely shy, and I was always embarrassed if my Mum made me ask a question to someone I didn't know well. Many years later, I will always strike up a conversation to someone in a queue or any other situation. As others have said, it could be the only conversation that person has had that day or week.

Being brought up in a big family always surrounded by people too. Even though I was quite naturally shy I learnt to get to be heard you had to be vocal. I worked in the public domain for many years talking to other people was second nature.
I always say good morning and smile when out with our dog. Most people reply some don't that's up to them.
If I go anywhere new I always engage in conversation. Some people are not so forward but soon feel at ease in company they don't know if someone starts a conversation.