My psychiatrist, when he’s not giving me strange advice about women, encourages me to talk to random people I see out in public. Does anyone here actually do that and if you do, how do people react? My homework assignment is to talk to one person I don’t know every time I leave the house. (Note: I like and respect my psychiatrist but he’s not exactly conventional.)
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I talk to the people in retail outlets when I’m shopping (the staff mostly) I kid around, one female staff member was smiling and looked all happy and ready to serve and I blurted out “what the hell you smiling at” she burst into laughter and we had a good chat. I do stuff like that often
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im better with strangers than i am with people i used to know
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I like strangers and talk to them all the time.
It really isn’t that weird.
Some people are chatty, some of them think your crazy.
Who cares either way, you don’t know them and likely won’t see them again.
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I’m usually friendly, unless I’m particularly anxious. If someone looks at me, I deflect their look with a smile and a friendly comment. It actually holds them at arms length if I’m controlling a conversation. I make funny comments to make people laugh and I’ve disappeared in the comment… Talking with strangers disarms them and takes their mystique away.
Now, when I get a grumpy/rude response, it can really upset me. But, I still do it.
I talk to tons of people I don’t know every time I leave my house, I mean isn’t that normal, that’s why it’s so hard to go out. I consider it a success if I can get by with as few people as possible. Just in and out and right back home. This seems strange to me. No offense, I’m just feeling weird now.
No worries. The whole point of my post is to learn from people who talk to strangers.
Interesting. Thats a good exercise i believe. I used to talk to random strangers with ease. But feel paranoid talking to people who i meet in day to day life. Coming to think of it, probably we will reduce the inhibitions while talking in general.
Lots of strangers like to talk to other strangers. People are curious about other people and if you’re friendly and respectful lots of strangers are open to a little friendly chit-chat or small talk. It doesn’t have to be a big deal, people tend to be friendly. This includes cashiers, people waiting in lines, salespeople, even cops buying something at 7-11! It makes people happy to talk, its what makes the world go round.
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I try to say hello to 3 strangers when I’m out. But when old acquaintances try to engage me in conversation I’m quick to skadoodle.