Ever tried talking to strangers, or thought of doing so?
We spend much of our time in public places - in a cafe, in public transportation, in a park, or in the market, and yet, how many of us talk to the people around us? Some say that only extroverted people will have the courage to talk to strangers, but this study by two Behavioral Scientists shows that introverts and extroverts alike tend to be happier when they talk to a stranger.
But simply reaching out to a fellow human being to say hello may be better received than people realise. Few start a conversation with a stranger, but most seem happy to talk if you reach out with good intentions.
One reason may be that the experience of talking with others and hearing a stranger's voice makes us realise they have a rich inner life of thoughts, feelings, emotions, and experiences, just like us.
These brief connections with strangers are not likely to turn a life of misery into one of bliss. However, they can change unpleasant moments - like the grind of a daily commute - into something more pleasant.
Are you willing to “simply give it a try” and approach a stranger?
Image Credit: rawpixel.com