Chatting to strangers - do you?

My friend from London came to stay ‘up north’. She was most surprised when I started a conversation with a person but ‘you don’t know her’ she said. Says it all ... we are a friendly bunch up ‘ere.

I do, and always have. I'm not persistent, I can take no for an answer!
While not being ebulliently jolly, I try to open on a positive note.

Always, planes,trains, buses, shops anywhere. However it can be a pain having been on the other side of a real fierce chatterbox! I was on holiday and flying back sitting next to one initially I was delighted as I always prefer to chat and make new friends but......this was really on another level as it was long haul and this lady was sharing seats and care of two children with her husband so it was continual change around and every time she returned from her break ....there I was for conversation!

Wouldn't dream of passing anyone without a simple hello/smile. If a little conversation ensues - terrific. Only exceptions are those who have that 'fixed stare ahead' look.

'fraid I talk to strangers, especially at the bus stop - they became my bus stop buddies! One of them I discovered she liked painting and she joined the club I am a member of. Unfortunately have only been once to the bus stop since Lockdown so I hope my buddies are all well. Still in touch with my art friend. So it's true - a stranger is just a friend you haven't made yet.

Yes, always have but even more so now I’m on my own. I’m turning into my mum who always struck up a conversation with anyone who would listen!

I always chat to strangers, if they're willing.
I love finding out all about people's lives.

Forget celebrities; normal, everyday people have the most interesting stories.

I don't thing that a parent nowadays would see this as intrusion. I do think!!

My sister amazes me with her ability to find out a total stranger's life story within minutes. I think she owes it to her social work training. I am happy to talk to a stranger too, but usually it's the weather that is the ice breaker (what a strange metaphor!) or a cute dog - people are always happy to talk about their dogs! When DS1 was a baby, and a rather attractive one at that, people in the small town where we were living used to come up to the pram and ask 'How old is she? What's her name?' I don't thing that a parent nowadays would see this as intrusion.

Avoid speaking to anyone- let alone strangers. Have avoided using regular checkouts at Supermarkets for years. Now use the scan thing which means in and out with little communication with anyone!

Craftycat I had to laugh at your post, same here, we are in a minority as most grans on here chat, but there’s a couple of us who leave it to our DH!

I think it's nice to talk to strangers. Keep a safe distance, wear a mask and talk loud enough for them to hear. Most people respond. Round here everyone says hello to everyone else.

I do sometimes- such as waiting in a long queue- but not as a rule unless I am spoken to first.
My DH however talks to anyone & everyone! He knows the names of all the floor staff in our local supermarket. I go elsewhere to do my main shop & I only ever talk to the lady at the self scan place just out of politeness as she rarely has much to do.
Consequently I can do a full week's shop in about 30 mins tops & he takes at least that to buy a loaf of bread!

I'm happy to chat if it seems welcome. Before lockdown I got to know a few local people who queued when I queued. I find that I'm more of a listener, and am happy to do that too.

I have an adult son with kearning disabilities. He talks to everyone.

He's a great icebreaker at GP or hospital appointments. When we arrive people will be sitting there quietly. Within a few minutes he will have everyone chatting like they've all known each other for years!!

All the time! My son says that I will talk to anybody and it's true!
I always think back to a time when , during my lunch hour, I was in a queue at the till in Woolies and there was an elderly lady in front of me. Because the person being served was proving to be a problem for the retail staff, the lady and I got chatting about how things had changed in shops etc.
At last they opened another till and the lady I had been chatting to walked forward to be served but before she got to the desk, she turned and thanked me for the chat , saying that I had been the first person she had spoken to since she had last come into town at the weekend - it was Wednesday!
So those of you that stand there, refusing any social action with anyone standing within cooee of you, just remember that there are thousands, if not millions of people that live on there own with no one to talk to. Two minutes of your time cost you nothing but just that smile, hello, or a comment about the weather can make someone else feel a whole lot better about their day !

We used to laugh at DD when she was little, as she'd talk to everyone in the Tesco's queue. Last week DDiL told ne that DGD does it.

By the way apparently 'a stranger is just a friend you haven't made yet' is WBYeats DiscoGran

Always have done and probably always will.

M0nica, I agree! I love embarrassing my children! It’s real role reversal with myself and them at present. I was married for 46 years to their dad, not always the happiest of marriages. He died last year age 67 which despite everything I still felt was very tragic as he was by today’s standards young. However I’ve now lost weight, dyed my hair silver blonde and found a new relationship! My children think I’ve lost the plot!

Pppp

I am a NHS volunteer responder. I do Check and Chat. People can be referred by GP’s or social services or they can refer themselves on 0808 196 3646. I ring a lot of lonely people who need someone to chat to. It’s very rewarding.

Yes, all the time. Once I start there's no stopping me, and I have to constantly remind myself to be a good listener too.

My DH is the one who talks to people in the supermarket, not me. It is true that he used to be very good-looking and charming (still is for 85) and people would respond readily.
Nowadays I just wonder if people think, poor old man, he's lonely and glad of a chat. If I'm with him, I walk away and check out another area e.g. the wine shelves.
PS I can't find square brackets on my keyboard to put in a smile emoji. Bother.

BlueBelle

I talk to anyone anyone and everyone if they look as if they don’t want to engage I shut up bu most people are up for a chat
When my grandkids were younger they used to say ‘who was that Nan’ And I d say ‘I don’t know’ and they d give me a ‘shes is totally mad‘ look

Me too, love it?

I always have. It’s very common around here to natter to complete strangers. My DS is the same, but DD, like her father, is uncomfortable with the idea of talking to people she doesn’t know. DH knows what I’m like and he just lets me bang on while he tries not to be included!

I find people in queues talk more these days as there are common topics of conversation like arent these masks uncomfortable, this queue is slow isn’t it.