Why I Truly Cherish Talking to Strangers

And the impact it can have on our lives

“The paradox of talking to strangers: We need to talk to them. But we’re terrible at it.” — Malcolm Gladwell

I have always enjoyed talking to the people I randomly encounter.

Sometimes it's just small talk, superficial interactions. Other times, a deeper connection is forged where we mutually share personal things that aren’t normally discussed. On special occasions, they’ve been real lifesavers.

Despite being in the midst of a pandemic, over the past few months I had the opportunity to share long, meaningful conversations with several strangers.

Confessions came out, regrets were told, advice was given, laughs were shared and even tears were shed. These were all very diverse people, and I had the pleasure to coincide with them in different locations under all sorts of circumstances.

I honestly enjoy listening to people’s stories, as by doing so we connect and share a part of ourselves with others.

Why do I believe we should all talk to strangers?

Learn From Others

I’m a firm believer that every human being has something to teach us, even if our encounter lasts only a few mere hours.

Engaging in conversation with people different from us widens our outlook on the world, opening our minds to new ideas. We become less judgemental of others, accepting things that we may have previously rejected, thus expanding our understanding of life. This has brought me tremendous personal growth.

Strangers can also give us great advice as they are able to see an issue from an unbiased perspective. Their point of view isn’t tainted by previous history and opinions regarding you or the issue at hand.

Months and even years later, I can still clearly remember things that were said to me by strangers at crucial moments.

Makes New Friends

We mustn’t forget that our dearest friends were once strangers.

There are the “regular” ways in which most of us meet new people, such as through a mutual friend, at a new job, or at school. But if you’re open to other types of interactions, you expand the pool of people whom you can befriend, and these random friendships can be amazing.

This is especially helpful for introverts who have a harder time initiating connections with others.

I’m not saying you must go out and speak to everyone, but under certain circumstances doing so can be beneficial, especially when alone. This allows you to practice opening up to others, lowering your barriers, consequently finding new people with whom you are compatible.

Raises Your Self-Esteem

This happens through meeting people who appreciate the real you without any professional, academic, or social interest at stake. You learn to listen to others, providing your full attention, wholly engaging with people.

Sharing and helping others also gives us a sense of belonging, which in turn improves the way we see ourselves. You’ll notice that most of your deepest issues aren’t exclusive to you, but rather plenty of people at varying degrees may carry the same traumas.

You’re not the strange one, instead, it is this complexity that makes you human.

By becoming more authentic and displaying our vulnerabilities, we create genuine connections.

Puts Life Into Perspective

At times, negative emotions can be so overpowering that they lead us towards a downward spiral of loneliness, grief, anxiety, and anger.

We encase ourselves within the boundaries of our mind, reducing our world to our problems, our insecurities, and disappointments. Feeling misunderstood, we are convinced no one truly cares about us, forgetting that there are almost eight billion human beings out there, each fighting their own battle.

However, allowing strangers into your life exposes you to a huge variety of stories, ideas, and life experiences. You feel less alone as you realize that there are plenty of people out there who you can relate to, and are eager to encourage you with their own learnings. You also become inspired to support others by sharing your own experiences.

Some have had it tougher than you, overcoming battles you would’ve never guessed based on a first impression. Others have gone through hardships that may seem less complicated to you. Regardless, we are all here to face numerous challenges, and connecting with others makes our journey considerably easier.

Allow yourself to see the strength, resilience, bravery, and wisdom people carry within them.

Allows You to Be Authentic

Unfortunately, with certain people within our circle, we may put up a facade in order to avoid being judged. This is especially true when dealing with close-minded individuals.

I consider myself blessed to have friends and family members who have seen both my strengths and vulnerabilities. Yet in the past, there were people in my life with whom I wasn’t able to fully be myself as I feared rejection and judgment.

However, with strangers, you can express who you are with greater ease, especially within situations where you don't risk anything by being you. It's liberating, being able to expose your true self without any fear since these are people you just met.

Usually, when a connection arises from these encounters, being genuine becomes a core part of the relationship.

Some of these important strangers have become good friends. Others have remained as acquaintances. Yet some I never saw or heard from again. They crossed my path for a fleeting moment, years later all that remains is the memory of the encounter, their words, and how they made me feel.

“Do not forget to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” — Hebrews 13:2

I’ve also met my fair share of Godsends who gave me the perfect advice when I most needed it, saying things that shook me to my core. They provided me comfort during the hardest times, even saving a family member from danger. I learned from them what true compassion is about. All without asking for anything in return.

I am eternally grateful for you.

I wholeheartedly hope I’ve had an impact on the life of other people, especially the strangers I’ve met. I trust my words and actions have benefited them, leaving a positive influence, even if our paths crossed only for an instant.

Open your heart, and remember, you’re not alone.