strike up a conversation with a stranger

I feel like most of the time I’m too quiet, especially around people I don’t know. I want to be able to be the talkative person I am with people I know around people I don’t. But I’m afraid I’ll annoy them. 14 months ago

I was window-shopping for a new purse/wallet at Macy’s when the saleslady at the shoe department asked “Can I help you with anything?” So I told her how my purse was stolen. I had been really distraught and embarrassed about it earlier, so I was really proud of myself for telling someone. I didn’t go overboard, I just made fun, animated conversation. The saleslady sympathized with me (“Oh, this is just the worst of luck”) and I didn’t get irritated at her for it either. Usually I can’t stand those kinds of sympathy statements because I can’t stand being pitied. But this time, I didn’t feel hypersensitive. I didn’t feel pitied. I took her statement for what it was – genuine if removed sympathy. I mean, what can you say in those kinds of situations?

This incident tells me that it’s true: It all depends on how you think about a situation. I could have gotten upset at her statement about bad luck. I could have interpreted it as pity and condescension. Since learning some new techniques, I see situations in a better, more beneficial light. It really helped me connect to a complete stranger. Yay for me! 2 years ago

The first time this week I struck up a conversation with a girl at the secretary of state’s office. I had to go renew my ID for my upcoming citizenship interview. The secretary of state’s office in my area just recently moved, so I had to look it up on the map. The office was larger with brand-new furniture. Nice! But there was no machine with numbers for waiting in line. So I turned around to look who I could ask and there through the door comes this really bubbly girl. We both looked at each other and said practically in sync “Where do I get my number?” We both admitted we had no clue where to go and so this kept us talking. I found out she also had to renew her license. We went up to the information counter together and kept talking. It was just small talk. Nothing big, nothing earth-shattering. But it made me happy. It made me feel like a “normal” person:) 2 years ago

I struck up another conversation with a stranger today! I’m so proud of myself. It takes such courage for an introvert girl like me. But this is the second time in just a week now. I can’t be that bad:)

The story? I was shopping groceries with husband and kids when I saw this really good-looking lady. She might have been in her forties. She looked very fit and trim, and I loved her outfit, especially her jeans. They were this beautiful dark denim wash, very sleek cut with pretty details on the pockets. Since I just recently killed my favorite jeans (washed it too hot! darn!) this came handy, and I decided to ask this lady where she got them. Well, I was really embarrassed approaching her, but I said “Excuse me, can I ask you a question? I don’t usually do this but, could you tell me where you bought these jeans? They look nice, and I just killed my favorite pair in the washer”. The lady seemed surprised, but she told me she got the jeans in the junior section of JCPenney. Ok, then. 2 years ago

Somehow, I end up doing this all the time. Ex: I’ll be in the bookstore, looking at cookbooks and some lady will comment that she likes that cookbook. I’ll point out one I already have and mention a good recipe. Conversation started. My husband (who isn’t too big on the smalltalk that generally leads to these conversations) jokes that I can make an acquaintance with anyone I’m left alone with for five minutes. It’s not like I intend to start talking to random people that often, it just happens because we’re both doing the same thing, interested in the same thing, or stuck in the same place. After all, people are meant to be social, so I figure why pretend otherwise?

(Then again, there’s a fine line b/t being friendly and being overly friendly, and that’s probably why many people err on the side of caution and prefer to say little to strangers.) 3 years ago

I do my best to talk to everyone I come in close contact with, or when I am forced to be in the same place as someone new, I try to talk to them, I love it when the other person actually responds, and we have a conversation. Oh you know what Else sounds good? Having a heart-to-heart conversation with a stranger. :] 4 years ago

i do this all the time, its quite fun. its interesting to learn about different people and even more interesting when you find out you know them by association or learn something from them

i feel every person you meet changes you in some way and its a good thing and these people could change you 4 years ago

i do it all the time, i like talking to people. mostly random ones at the mall. you learn some pretty cool things about people just by talking to them for a few minutes. Ive even made a few friends by just going up and saying hi.

my advice: dont ever start a conversation with “hey, wanna see something weird?” my friend did that just to weird someone out and they almost got arrested for harassment. haha. 4 years ago

It’s easy once you start. When you catch someone’s eye say at a lineup in the grocery store just start talking about something. Like the other day I saw a man with a nice gaudy shirt and I made a coment and we chatted for about 10 minutes. I found out that he rode motorcycles and started playing the electric guitar cos he has more time now that he is almost retired! We both felt good to connect with someone…so we all win! 5 years ago

a girl in my church who I usually see in the hallways, but never cared to talk to. we were working in the nursery, and thier were only like… 2 kids there, so I started a conversation, and we ended up talking for 3 hours. I think the counts. 5 years ago

well, I kind of had a conversation with some strangers, strangers being people I’ve known since I was 1, but barely ever talk to. And I didn’t strike up the conversation, they approached me. Does that count? 5 years ago

i barely have the balls to talk to people i know sometimes, let alone a stranger, but there are SO many people i have just randomly seen that look absolutely facinating, and i need to start talking to new people. spontinaity is far better than stagnation. 5 years ago

who knows what could develope if we just spoke to a person when we felt inclined. Who knows how many great friendships or relationships we missed out on because we din’t say hi to that one person. 6 years ago