Many years ago, it was seen a positive trait and polite attitude to strike a conversation with people in any social setting, for example people sitting next to each other on a bus, sitting in the park etc ..
These days , not all the time, but every so often you see people who feel irritated if you try having a conversation ! people generally dont like to talk to strangers. I guess many get fearful about giving too much information out about themselves in the conversation and not being able to trust the others ..
What do you guys think? is it better to keep away from strangers or should be open up more with people around us to form better real life relationships?
I think it all depends on how and where you’re trying to strike up a convo. Obviously someone sitting next to you in the bus completely mesmerized by their mobile is not going to appreciate a stranger talking to them out of the blue.
I personally think being able to communicate with random people is a strong trait. But that’s maybe because I’m a blabering head myself. I have no problem striking up a conversation with complete random people - obviously moka aur attitude dekh kar.
I’ve had the funniest conversations on religion, politics, cultures and life with complete strangers while travling by the train to the city.
A smile and a random comment on the weather/something around you two is the perfect opening. :k:
Haven't used public transportation is a long time but I do street photograph. It's always interesting to make small talk and hear about the things in the front of someone's mind (which is the first stuff they blurt out)
On regular days I'll be honest I don't speak much to strangers. I need to be in the mood for social interaction.
I don't mind when a stranger strikes up a convo with me, mostly it's women who want to know where I bought so and so. I usually don't strike up convos with strangers that often - sometimes I do compliment them, like cute shoes, bag, cute kid, etc. If a person smiles at me that's a good indication that they won't mind talking to me. Otherwise I mind my own business. I do agree nowadays not a lot of people communicate - a lot of that has to do with the era of technology and also people are more wary of their safety in aspects.
The one situation where I'll go out of my way to talk to someone I don't know is when I greet other Muslims, wherever I might meet them. So if this were to happen on a bus/public transport, then we might continue talking throughout the trip. Apart from that, I have talked to people sitting next to me on the plane.
Captain , same here , I am the sort who doesnt feel comfortable making small talk. I have had more then one experience where I managed to splurt out too much information about myself and then it came back to bite me ! I fnd it really hard to trust people in real life.
Strangely, its the opposite online, I am able to make friends more easily here , probably coz I know there is a huge distance between them and me and its ok to talk freely
If a stranger tries to talk too much I become suspicious of them Like for example , the other days I was in the lift with my son. An old guy started chatting casually and I couldnt wait for the lift to open !!
I've never really been in a situation where somebody was asking too much personal info. The interactions were so few are far apart. The most recent was making small talk with a guy who was sitting next to us on the plane and asking about our trip but equally sharing details about his.
Indian trains are notorious for this. they talk and talk and talk and try to extract as much info about the fellow traveler as possible, including personal info. they will ask your date of birth, your salary, exchange address and fone numbers, ask details about your children (if you have any) and if they find it attractive, they will not hesitate in proposing his/her son/daughter/neighbour's son/daughter...lolz.
they will also ask you about your parents, their profession and your profession/hobbies and blah blah blah.
all this is done in order to kill the time...after they say good buy, they forget about all.
there is a famous phrase in India about such acquaintances. lol
**
train kii dostii outer singal tak!** :D
[acquaintances on trains last till the outer (signal)]
outer signal = the railway traffic signal at the edge of the station jurisdiction. :)
Like for example , the other days I was in the lift with my son. An old guy started chatting casually and I couldnt wait for the lift to open !!