How do you feel about talking with strangers?

[Sparky]

What made me think of this was the video mamboni posted where random passers-by are asked to guess the price of gold. I was struck by how many people would not even break stride for a second to talk to him. It probably had nothing to do with gold.

As long as I'm not in a rush, I'm happy to talk to anyone about anything, pretty much any time. I don't mean disclose personal information, but just share opinions or comments or humor on things. I enjoy interacting with people, and hearing what they have to say. I have a friend who, when we are out somewhere, will inevitably get us involved in a conversation with a group of whomever happens to be within earshot. His knack for this is amazing.

How about you? If you are at the store or a ballgame or a bar or a movie, do you like getting engaged in conversation with strangers? Or are you uncomfortable and would rather avoid it? Or neutral? As a self-test, if a stranger opens up a conversation with you, do you usually try to keep it going, or do you tend to cut it short because you prefer to be left alone?

[gunDriller]

What made me think of this was the video mamboni posted where random passers-by are asked to guess the price of gold. I was struck by how many people would not even break stride for a second to talk to him. It probably had nothing to do with gold.

As long as I'm not in a rush, I'm happy to talk to anyone about anything, pretty much any time. I don't mean disclose personal information, but just share opinions or comments or humor on things. I enjoy interacting with people, and hearing what they have to say. I have a friend who, when we are out somewhere, will inevitably get us involved in a conversation with a group of whomever happens to be within earshot. His knack for this is amazing.

How about you? If you are at the store or a ballgame or a bar or a movie, do you like getting engaged in conversation with strangers? Or are you uncomfortable and would rather avoid it? Or neutral? As a self-test, if a stranger opens up a conversation with you, do you usually try to keep it going, or do you tend to cut it short because you prefer to be left alone?

it depends on location & who it is.

obviously location matters. if you did this near the 19th Ave. BART station in Oakland, that's very different from "Art Night" in a small town, for example.

last time i was at the 19th Ave. BART station, a black guy threatened to kill me because i talked to "one of his women", after i asked a woman for directions.

in the city, you stay alert & go where you're going. some stranger who wants to talk about whatever, you generally ignore, even if the 'whatever' is Gold.

[Ponce]

Well, I don't talk to cops and if they sit near me in a restaurant either I change seats or pay my bill and leave..... oh, and I don't talk to people form Mars or Jupiter, they are nasty people.

V

[Serpo]

No one is a stranger to me even if I dont know them but people maybe a stranger too them selves

[madfranks]

I'm like you sparky, if I'm not in a hurry to get somewhere, I don't mind chatting with strangers. It doesn't happen very often but when it does I enjoy it.

[Libertarian_Guard]

I''ve noticed that this was more common back in the 1960's & 1970's. I try to chat it up, or at least wave and say hi, but you know the story.....everyone is anxious or in a rush.

[Santa]

I talk to strangers every day, many times over. Come to think of it, I've been talking to strangers all my life.

But I'd generally just walk past a loud aggressive petition pusher with a clipboard. I'd figure he was probably trying to push a FREE Vaccination on me or something.
In fact, if anybody puts a hustle voice on me, I'm pretty much out of there. At that point words become blunt objects to avoid. He may as well have thrown a sack of dead rats at me. :)

I really do enjoy talking to strangers though... when we're on equal terms.I don't care to carry on with anyone who attempts to lay a position of contrived authority over me.
Nope.

[General of Darkness]

What made me think of this was the video mamboni posted where random passers-by are asked to guess the price of gold. I was struck by how many people would not even break stride for a second to talk to him. It probably had nothing to do with gold.

As long as I'm not in a rush, I'm happy to talk to anyone about anything, pretty much any time. I don't mean disclose personal information, but just share opinions or comments or humor on things. I enjoy interacting with people, and hearing what they have to say. I have a friend who, when we are out somewhere, will inevitably get us involved in a conversation with a group of whomever happens to be within earshot. His knack for this is amazing.

How about you? If you are at the store or a ballgame or a bar or a movie, do you like getting engaged in conversation with strangers? Or are you uncomfortable and would rather avoid it? Or neutral? As a self-test, if a stranger opens up a conversation with you, do you usually try to keep it going, or do you tend to cut it short because you prefer to be left alone?

It's L.A. and Newport Beach too boot. I would say you need to redefine what you mean by talking with strangers. Having small talk or a conversation.

[midnight rambler]

I''ve noticed that this was more common back in the 1960's & 1970's. I try to chat it up, or at least wave and say hi, but you know the story.....everyone is anxious or in a rush.

IMO, in general people have become much more anti-social. Many things have led to this.

[milehi]

" I have a friend who, when we are out somewhere, will inevitably get us involved in a conversation with a group of whomever happens to be within earshot. His knack for this is amazing."

I'm this guy, but the setting has to be right. Blows my brother away. I almost always have a good looking dog or two with me that attracts dog lovers like moths to a lamp. I can bring a dog into Bass Pro with the intent of grabbing something quick, and end up leaving over an hour later if I take the dog in. I live in a small town and notice I'm ducking people I know (gossipers, busy bodies, butt ins and time wasters) rather than strangers.

[Libertytree]

Hell.....I'll talk to ya, can't tell ya for how long though? If its all stupid shit, sorry, I gotta go, if they have something of substance to say well, I'm game and maybe over beers? the 1st sign of batshit or somethin strikes me wrong, it's over.

Had something similar happen today, it was an interesting 5 mins.

[Jewboo]

http://dadvsspawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Strangers-1.jpg

[Sparky]

It's L.A. and Newport Beach too boot. I would say you need to redefine what you mean by talking with strangers. Having small talk or a conversation.

Either. How receptive are you to someone who tries to interact with you, either a light comment, or a serious inquiry? Will you tend to keep the ball rolling, or will you politely hope it stops? What signal to you send to the other person? Are you likely to initiate the interaction if the opportunity presents itself? Will you start a conversation with the person next to you waiting in line?