Stranger Encounters

When we are children and left home alone, we are always told to not open the door for strangers. When we walk home from school or in public areas, we are told not to talk to strangers. The idea of a “stranger” is seen as an overwhelming negative. They are to be avoided. They are to be ignored. They deserve nothing more than a brief “hello” before passing by. Strangers are not our friends. But what if they could be? Strangers are people too. Every relationship in your life stems from initially being two strangers meeting for the first time. Strangers are strangers until you break the ice. Strangers are strangers until you have an encounter, a personal human encounter that is possible because we share the gift of language and communication.

The encouragement to talk to strangers does not diminish the fact that there are some strangers who are dangerous. Given they are strangers, we do not know their true intentions upon having an initial conversation. But, like with any topic, you hear about the bad cases frequently. You do not hear about the countless pleasant experiences people have had with strangers. You hear about the abnormal, infrequent cases of people being attacked, abducted, or disrespected. With this reframing in mind, it can be worth your time and deliberate effort to have more “stranger” encounters.

The opportunities for stranger encounters are everywhere. In a taxi ride, speak with your driver instead of scrolling on your phone. They drive many people during the day and that one conversation you have with them may make their day. When walking alone on a hike, spark up a conversation with people you pass by and appreciate the nature, views, and experience you are currently sharing. The awe of the outdoors is better appreciated when in communion with others. If you find yourself in a new location, go to a coffee shop or another venue where you can be around locals. If you want to know a local running path, ditch the Google search and ask the barista what they suggest. They will be happy to engage with you.

There are too many other examples to list but the idea of talking to a stranger involves having the courage to speak first. By having the courage to break the ice and spark up a conversation, two or three sentences later you will see they are oftentimes just as interested in speaking with you as you are. These encounters go more smoothly when the “stranger” can tell you are genuinely interested in what they have to say or what they are currently doing. If you are genuine yourself, you will likely walk away from any of these interactions positively. We are all human after all. We desire a human connection. Even if it’s from a “stranger.”