The Lost Art of Speaking with Strangers
Most of us grew up with the parental warning, “Don’t talk to strangers,” which is sound advice at the time. However, we can miss out on a lot as adults if we don’t. You could walk right past that ‘special someone,’ miss out on making a new friend, or might never be exposed to many incredible opportunities that chance encounters may bring about.
Interestingly enough, in many religious services and community gatherings, we are encouraged to meet each other, transferring our status as strangers to one of openness as we acknowledge our oneness through a common bond. Case in point being, speaking with strangers can improve the quality of our day, even if it’s only with a friendly, “Hello.”
Are You Loosing Sight of Reality in the Matrix?
It’s easy to see how the onslaught of new gadgets plays a role in our dissociative behavior, and that the art of interpersonal, eye-to-eye contact has become a casualty of technology. It seems that humans enjoy living in the matrix, where many consider their Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and Facebook contacts as ‘friends,’ and they have no problem starting romances and setting up meetings with total strangers. Indeed, many lasting relationships can develop through social media outlets, but imagine the connections that can be made instantly through a face-to-face chance encounter. So, why do some avoid interactions involving speaking with strangers like the plague?
Why Some People Intentionally Isolate Themselves
Certain people with empathic sensitivities find it challenging to be in the company of other people due to negative energies that cause them discomfort. Some people avoid others because they have been hurt by lovers, friends, and families over time. Such experiences and ideologies penetrate into our unconsciousness that is the ‘protector’ of our emotions, so avoidance can become almost instinctual over time. And even science seems to support the ‘avoidance = pleasantry’ theory.
According to a Study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, researchers at the University Of Chicago interviewed subway passengers: those who went through their entire ride without speaking with a stranger and those who did. When those who kept to themselves were asked why they did so, the majority of them replied that they believed the ride would be ‘more pleasant’ without interaction. However, those who spoke to a stranger reported the interaction as a ‘positive experience.’
The Pleasures of Connecting With Strangers
We can all feel invisible at times, especially in a crowd, and just a smile, wave, or nod of the head can make a stranger feel acknowledge and more visible to the world. Take a moment to share your energy with a stranger, and see how it improves your day!
Do you talk to strangers? Have you had a memorable encounter with someone you didn’t know in the spur of the moment? Share your experience below, and feel free to share this article with friends or on your website per the copyright restrictions below.
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