How talking to strangers can make us happier

For decades, kids have been taught that all strangers can potentially be dangerous. From a young age, we have learnt that there is an inherent danger in talking to people we don't know. Unfortunately, that means that many of us, now adults, are more than reluctant to talk to people we don't know. Research shows, however, that striking up a conversation with a stranger can have benefits for our mental health and general well-being.

Intrigued? Then check out this gallery to learn how talking to strangers can make us happier.

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Stranger danger -

If you were a kid during the '80s or after, you’ll probably be familiar with the phrase "stranger danger."

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Stranger danger -

For decades now, kids have been raised to believe that anyone they have not met could be dangerous, and that strangers should always be avoided.

2 / 29 Fotos

The danger with stranger danger -

While it is true that kids talking to strange adults is not advisable, this obsession with stranger danger has raised generations of adults who may be missing out.

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The reality -

Recent research shows that in reality, striking up a conversation with a stranger can, at the very least, brighten a person’s day.

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Important benefits -

At the most, talking to strangers may have important benefits for both our mental health and well-being. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of talking to strangers.

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Opportunity to make friends -

With every new person you talk to, there is the chance you might gain a great friend or even a romantic partner.

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Opportunity to make friends -

Just think: everyone you know was a stranger at some point. All relationships have to start somewhere, so why not here and now?

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Gain a new perspective -

You may not always meet your new best friend when you talk to someone new, but you will always gain a new perspective.

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Gain a new perspective -

The more people you speak to, the more points of view you will become exposed to and the more nuanced your understanding of the world will become.

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Grow your business network -

Of course, there is always the chance you might grow your business network, too. There is no reason to limit your networking to specific events.

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Grow your business network -

Lots of successful business people would readily admit that their biggest break came as a result of talking to strangers. You never know where it might lead.

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Have fun -

While you may feel nervous before approaching someone new, or even uncomfortable when adjusting to the new conversation style, eventually you’ll probably have a lot of fun!

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Have fun -

Human beings are naturally social creatures, and we derive pleasure from interacting with each other on a regular basis.

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Improve your social skills - Striking up and maintaining a conversation with a stranger is not always easy, but you can be sure that with practice you will improve.

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Improve your social skills -

In fact, talking to strangers is a great way to improve your social skills. That is something many of us are looking for in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing.

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Improve your confidence -

Learning to chat with strangers is also a great way to improve your confidence in general. If you practice on a regular basis, you’ll find you’re more comfortable in lots of situations.

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Improve your confidence -

Being able to strike up a conversation with the barista, for example, will stand you in good stead for the next time you have to attend a work event or family wedding.

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Sense of community -

And last but not least, casual conversations with strangers are important for anchoring us in the communities where we live.

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Sense of community -

Having a sense of community is essential for our well-being, and having short, regular conversations with those who share our environment is a great way to achieve this.

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In practice -

If the idea of starting a conversation with the person next to you on the bus completely horrifies you, we understand.

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Undoing learnt behaviors -

As previously mentioned, we have been raised to believe that nothing good can come from interacting with people we do not know.

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Research -

However, research shows that the interaction will probably go better than you might think. Take a recent study at the University of Chicago, for example.

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The Chicago experiment -

In an effort to better understand the stranger danger phenomenon, behavioral scientists Nicholas Epley and Juliana Schroeder asked some Chicago commuters to talk to strangers on public transport.

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The Chicago experiment -

Before the experiment, most of the participants believed that the interaction would go badly. They feared they would be rejected and the remainder of their commute would be terribly awkward.

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Results -

When they actually engaged, however, the participants found that the conversations they had with strangers were enjoyable, interesting, and lasted longer than they expected.

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The London experiment -

This experiment has been repeated in many locations, and the results are remarkably consistent. Even the London experiment yielded the same results.

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All in all - Talking to strangers is not always easy (and not advisable in all circumstances). However, if the time is right, it’s worth giving it a go.

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Some tips -

Start by asking an open question that elicits a longer response, then move on to a topic that you both have in common.

Sources: (BBC) (The New York Times) (Cleverism)

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How talking to strangers can make us happier -

Intrigued? Then check out this gallery to learn how talking to strangers can make us happier.

Shutterstock

0 / 29 Fotos

Stranger danger -

If you were a kid during the '80s or after, you’ll probably be familiar with the phrase "stranger danger."

Shutterstock

1 / 29 Fotos

Stranger danger -

For decades now, kids have been raised to believe that anyone they have not met could be dangerous, and that strangers should always be avoided.

Shutterstock

2 / 29 Fotos

The danger with stranger danger -

While it is true that kids talking to strange adults is not advisable, this obsession with stranger danger has raised generations of adults who may be missing out.

Shutterstock

3 / 29 Fotos

The reality -

Recent research shows that in reality, striking up a conversation with a stranger can, at the very least, brighten a person’s day.

Shutterstock

4 / 29 Fotos

Important benefits -

At the most, talking to strangers may have important benefits for both our mental health and well-being. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of talking to strangers.

Shutterstock

5 / 29 Fotos

Opportunity to make friends -

With every new person you talk to, there is the chance you might gain a great friend or even a romantic partner.

Shutterstock

6 / 29 Fotos

Opportunity to make friends -

Just think: everyone you know was a stranger at some point. All relationships have to start somewhere, so why not here and now?

Shutterstock

7 / 29 Fotos

Gain a new perspective -

You may not always meet your new best friend when you talk to someone new, but you will always gain a new perspective.

Shutterstock

8 / 29 Fotos

Gain a new perspective -

The more people you speak to, the more points of view you will become exposed to and the more nuanced your understanding of the world will become.

Shutterstock

9 / 29 Fotos

Grow your business network -

Of course, there is always the chance you might grow your business network, too. There is no reason to limit your networking to specific events.

Shutterstock

10 / 29 Fotos

Grow your business network -

Lots of successful business people would readily admit that their biggest break came as a result of talking to strangers. You never know where it might lead.

Shutterstock

11 / 29 Fotos

Have fun -

While you may feel nervous before approaching someone new, or even uncomfortable when adjusting to the new conversation style, eventually you’ll probably have a lot of fun!

Shutterstock

12 / 29 Fotos

Have fun -

Human beings are naturally social creatures, and we derive pleasure from interacting with each other on a regular basis.

Shutterstock

13 / 29 Fotos

Improve your social skills - Striking up and maintaining a conversation with a stranger is not always easy, but you can be sure that with practice you will improve.

Shutterstock

14 / 29 Fotos

Improve your social skills -

In fact, talking to strangers is a great way to improve your social skills. That is something many of us are looking for in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing.

Shutterstock

15 / 29 Fotos

Improve your confidence -

Learning to chat with strangers is also a great way to improve your confidence in general. If you practice on a regular basis, you’ll find you’re more comfortable in lots of situations.

Shutterstock

16 / 29 Fotos

Improve your confidence -

Being able to strike up a conversation with the barista, for example, will stand you in good stead for the next time you have to attend a work event or family wedding.

Shutterstock

17 / 29 Fotos

Sense of community -

And last but not least, casual conversations with strangers are important for anchoring us in the communities where we live.

Shutterstock

18 / 29 Fotos

Sense of community -

Having a sense of community is essential for our well-being, and having short, regular conversations with those who share our environment is a great way to achieve this.

19 / 29 Fotos

In practice -

If the idea of starting a conversation with the person next to you on the bus completely horrifies you, we understand.

Shutterstock

20 / 29 Fotos

Undoing learnt behaviors -

As previously mentioned, we have been raised to believe that nothing good can come from interacting with people we do not know.

Shutterstock

21 / 29 Fotos

Research -

However, research shows that the interaction will probably go better than you might think. Take a recent study at the University of Chicago, for example.

Shutterstock

22 / 29 Fotos

The Chicago experiment -

In an effort to better understand the stranger danger phenomenon, behavioral scientists Nicholas Epley and Juliana Schroeder asked some Chicago commuters to talk to strangers on public transport.

Shutterstock

23 / 29 Fotos

The Chicago experiment -

Before the experiment, most of the participants believed that the interaction would go badly. They feared they would be rejected and the remainder of their commute would be terribly awkward.

Shutterstock

24 / 29 Fotos

Results -

When they actually engaged, however, the participants found that the conversations they had with strangers were enjoyable, interesting, and lasted longer than they expected.

Shutterstock

25 / 29 Fotos

The London experiment -

This experiment has been repeated in many locations, and the results are remarkably consistent. Even the London experiment yielded the same results.

Shutterstock

26 / 29 Fotos

All in all - Talking to strangers is not always easy (and not advisable in all circumstances). However, if the time is right, it’s worth giving it a go.

Shutterstock

27 / 29 Fotos

Some tips -

Start by asking an open question that elicits a longer response, then move on to a topic that you both have in common.

Sources: (BBC) (The New York Times) (Cleverism)

Shutterstock

28 / 29 Fotos