approaching strangers in public how often do you do it?

Well, it depends on the context. I wouldn't walk up to someone randomly and start talking to them. Maybe every once in a while say 'hope you have a good day' to a few people.

Reply 2

luvinthedark

it might be a bit weird if you just walk up to a random person and talk to them, since you don't really know eachother. you could try going to fitness classes or social clubs and meet friends there.

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

Go for it! As someone who used to be so quiet, I got my dog and it helped massively. Try little things like if you're in a shop and are unsure of something, ask someone-anyone! I was in Primark Christmas time and approached a stranger to ask if the slippers I was holding were cats or rabbits haha. The way I see it-they are just people. If they are rude then oh well, idc. I've been nice-they are the *******. I've never had this though-I've had people try and talk down to me but that's it. Go for it :smile:

Tell a stranger you like their dog etc

Reply 4

OP

Original post by khadijaaaxxxx

it might be a bit weird if you just walk up to a random person and talk to them, since you don't really know eachother. you could try going to fitness classes or social clubs and meet friends there.h

How about I ask for them to take a pic of me? then engage small talk afterwards? rn there arent really any clubs going on tbh

Original post by 5hyl33n

Well, it depends on the context. I wouldn't walk up to someone randomly and start talking to them. Maybe every once in a while say 'hope you have a good day' to a few people.

I don't have much of a choice cause of lock down most places shut down

Original post by Anonymous

Go for it! As someone who used to be so quiet, I got my dog and it helped massively. Try little things like if you're in a shop and are unsure of something, ask someone-anyone! I was in Primark Christmas time and approached a stranger to ask if the slippers I was holding were cats or rabbits haha. The way I see it-they are just people. If they are rude then oh well, idc. I've been nice-they are the *******. I've never had this though-I've had people try and talk down to me but that's it. Go for it :smile:

Tell a stranger you like their dog etc

Reading that makes me nervous but ig Ill try that sometime lol

Reply 5

luvinthedark

Original post by bvllvh

How about I ask for them to take a pic of me? then engage small talk afterwards? rn there arent really any clubs going on tbh

I don't have much of a choice cause of lock down most places shut down

Reading that makes me nervous but ig Ill try that sometime lol

i mean, yeah why not ahah.
seems like a good way to start a conversation (:

Reply 6

OP

I've lived that lifestyle and honestly it made me depressed💀 but at least if you still have your social skills you should be fine

never tbh

No it’s not weird if u need help or something like that, I only do it if I am lost or I need help in a store from one of the workers. But don’t go up to people to make friends like that tho

Reply 9

OP

Original post by Geraldthegoat

No it’s not weird if u need help or something like that, I only do it if I am lost or I need help in a store from one of the workers. But don’t go up to people to make friends like that tho

how do u suggest I meet new people? other than uni clubs and pubs

Reply 10

laura.barrett13

11

well randomly approaching a stranger for no reason is a bit strange! but if you are in a coffee shop or clothes shop where you could have small talk about something like what they chose to drink or general conversation, then that's fine. or if you're waiting in a queue and like that person's top you could give a compliment depends on how confident you are. it's always best to be friendly and have small talk as it builds your social skills but do whatever you're comfortable with :smile:

if they seem approachable of course. if they are giving you looks then avoid that person fr

Reply 11

Surnia

20

Not even to shop for biscoff spread? Or have you got a supermarket delivery slot just for that?

Reply 12

laura.barrett13

11

Original post by bvllvh

how do u suggest I meet new people? other than uni clubs and pubs?

coffee shop? sometimes it quite hard to meet new people igy but what about friends of friends?????

Reply 13

OP

Original post by laura.barrett13

coffee shop? sometimes it quite hard to meet new people igy but what about friends of friends?????

all my friends left. so that isnt an option....and in coffee shops people tend to mind their own business too but Ill try that too

Reply 14

Max1989

20

I (pre covid) regularly would say hi and try to strike up conversations with strangers, mainly just in the park e.g. if an old man/women were just sitting alone in the park I'd just go up to them and say hi, if I get a hi back I proceed to ask how they are and just have a short conversation with them. As I went through a time where a simple hi from someone would of made my day, well actually it'd still make my day, but loneliness is a serious problem especially amongst the elderly so I try and make people feel noticed, to feel like someone cares about them, it's just a kind gesture.
I'm not actually that confident just I know first hand the benefit it can create so that is what drives me to do it.

I'd never do this to try and do more than small talk though.

Reply 15

Foxehh

Might be a bit awkward to go up to someone and just start chatting :lol:

Ive met and have had nice conversations with quite a few people on buses, though :smile:

Reply 16

megan_e

14

When i'm in a weird mood i wave and smile at random people, sometimes people look at me strangely because of it lol but occasionally there are fun conversations.
Other than that i avoid people like the plague. :h:

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 17

username402722

19

Hardly ever, at least in this country. When out for my daily walk and passing by a person being walked by their dog sometimes a 'hello' is exchanged, but not much more.

Reply 18

Castrah

5

I guess most of it is down to context. I don’t personally do it, but I’d never have a problem with someone coming up to me randomly and starting a conversation. If I were on my own in a coffee shop, in a queue somewhere, chilling at a park. I welcome chat with people generally speaking. However the British nature is to find that slightly weird, and you probably wouldn’t get the best of responses most of the time. Don’t let that stop you though!

Reply 19

OP