Your opinion on: Strangers by Paulo Coelho

[uranusisnotfunny]

such a great topic! i always talk w/ people i don't yet know. i've always thought that god speaks to us through others. why miss such an opportunity? sometimes i just listen as people share their problems, seems like it's easier to tell a stranger your troubles. sometimes i hear just the thing i needed to hear.

[Liina83kiku]

Paulo, I love that you make us thinkkkkkkk...........

[CNUtheAuthor]

I think it's actually a cultural thing. In the US we tend to think the idea of talking to a random person as 'odd,' but I noticed while traveling abroad, for example in Spain, that the culture was very different and people were open to talking to 'strangers.' I think our fears stem from several things: first is the corporeal fear of death (will this person hurt me physically?) second will this person say something to me that is mentally upsetting and lastly how will others judge my conversation.

[mommamema]

No one is a stranger - we are all bothers & sisters

[rhagerlugo]

its really true that the best conversations are with strangers. i was at a party for my friend who was moving and the highlight of the party was a conversation with a person 5 years younger than me and he was a complete stranger. funny right.

[caronline8]

who is not a stranger? even if you know a person for years it doesn't mean that you know that person , that's why I like to talk with who wants to I can learn ,lisent to new people.

thanks paulo I love your books

[lostlilkid]

Strangers, although they are people just like us, are generally more suspicious. It is not the fear of the stranger that causes us to act differently, it is the fear of losing what we have in our grasp (which is different for everybody) An example would be losing your life which would create sadness for your loved ones WHOSE feelings you fear for. It IS a game of trust. We all, in our psychological ways, find ways to test out our "friends" and by those results we decide to fear or fear notofthem

[danceswithcrayons]

A stranger only is, until I say 'hello'. Sometimes it is best to be quiet, and sometimes, to initiate conversation (prayer and listening to my heart is vital).  Sometimes, strangers fine me to deliver messages or other gifts. Life is Amazing!!

[BigJay604]

Media and concirned parents have programmed us to that state since we were little kids.

Also the stereotypics that are fed to us.

I always like to change a word or two with "strangers" when I have the chance to do so.

It is fear that is on our minds and also the subconscious, that's telling us that "this people is someone who I don't want to talk to".

If we abandon those fears and go and talk to people, we learn very soon that there's nothing to be afraid off.

[Ninveli]

I don't like talking with strangers when commuting. Even if I'm with a friend, I prefer to be silent and think or dream. and no matter how long the journey is, I don't want to reach the destination, I like the process of being on the way. If a passenger happens to be talkative, i'll try my best to escape them pretending that I'm sleeping:) yeah, but in general, I'm friendly:))

[almallegra]

I have found that with age I have learned to fear strangers more and more. It's the media, it's the sex registry list, it's the people we meet that have been harmed by society that have shared their pain and loss with us and leave me distrustful of others. I do however, find myself speaking to just about anyone and everyone. I just don't allow them into my personal life or world any deeper than mere conversation.

[GreekSpirits]

I talk to people everywhere, I guess I'm lucky to have had many of my best conversations exactly with strangers. For instance at a train where the woman next to be opened up totally and told me basically her lifestory, fears and dreams in a couple of hours. I never saw this woman again, but I felt blessed that a stranger just could tell me all these things like she had known me all her life. In many ways I guess the power of a strangers words is stronger, because I remember better...

[soiamhere]

i try to see other people eyes and i sometimes find that there are not all of them strangers. some of them have love and benevolence to give and i feel that i know them for years...they may be strangers cause we have never met each other, but i always start to talk with them, and sometimes i try to keep in contact with them.. i call them " friendly strangers."

[Ekatrini]

I talk to strangers everyday ..... In the grocery, mall, doctors office,restaurant,walking on the street, Anywhere !!! I find I need to commicate with everyone plus i find people attract to me!!! I have been in alot of different places alone or with friends and people have literally dicussed their personal life with me....

[tomiZG2]

If the ride (tram, train) is short I won't bother. I will enjoy the time I have in peace with the music or Taize prayer I have on my MP3 player. It's a rare occasion that I can take that time for myself. If someone talks to me, I will, of course communicate, help someone... If the ride takes long (flight i.e.) I will talk to the stranger sitting next to me if he/she seems good mooded and nice.

Coming from Germany, I think I learned that way of behaviour.

[odiliacarmen]

I think there is no stranger on this planet. We are all ONE ultimatly..

[CC1796]

As I have grown older, I have found it difficult to converse with strangers. I guard myself in public, because I know how unpredictable people can be in their language and behavior. So, I resign to a simple greeting and a fleeting smile.

[TheLatasia]

This is a big problem I have. Its gotten so bad, I hardly talk to family. I feel awkward for some reason. Maybe I feel like they wont understand what I want to talk about. I consider myself a pretty consciousness person too. This is the one thing that I feel I have to work on the most and the main thing that is holding me back from reaching my full potential. Anyone have any advice.. it will be greatly appreciated.

[mounyboon]

i thik that it's so dangerous to do that...cause ther is sereal-killers ;)) en fait je parle français et jcompr pas trop l englais mais je crois que de nos jours et surtout avec l'internet, beuacoup de gens se parlent sans se connaitre je trouve cela interessent,,mais pour les enfants ça peut etre tres dangereux.

[vasqueca]

I personally try to make eye contact, etc, with others. I feel uncomfortable by NOT talking, I'm the annoying person who wants to chat with the stranger in the airplace. One must become acquainted with another if you are going to be confined in a place, with almost zero space between the two, you know? But to answer your question though, I think that people do not speak to strangers because they are embarrassed of the possible rejection they will encounter. So they chose to not even try it.

[snjavister]

I personally don't have fear of strangers. I just don't like talking with people in those situations because I believe there's not much to hear from a person you barely know. There go questions like: "What do you do?", "Where do you live?" and you neither need to know those things, neither you have the need to answer those questions. You do that, than your bus arrives... Maybe you can spend that time more better by reading a book or newspapers...

[fidoarrows]

Well it all depends on impression,common interests, and mostly our hunch sometimes you meet someone you feel like you know them for years, sometimes you can find in random strangers - even on the internet-decent people who can share with you your ideas, secrets,etc they sometimes say that in order to relief yourself from a thought or you want to spill out something, talking to strangers can help

[joseph0487]

I think the fear of talking to strangers is due to the fear of rejection. We think that if we approach somebody in the bus randomly, that person might just ignore us, thinking that we're some kind of a burglar or somebody who is lunatic, in need of attention. We are afraid of being ignored, to be thought of something negative about. We are afraid to be rejected by the society that we belong.

[ripcurlysurf]

Aren´t we all strangers until we see or talk to each other for the first time? When you look at the behaviour of dogs f. e. they stick the noses together to smell each other, get to know each other. I think it´s great to talk to an unknown person because you´ll always can learn something. And sometimes you find out that you have more in common than you were expecting. These situations are the spices of life...

[agg188]

Paulo I think it is great that you talk to strangers! It shows your courage. I think most people are afraid of strangers because we have been programmed to be afraid of those who do not agree with us or who are not like us. We try to be careful as to who we open ourselves to because we do not want to trust or get hurt. This takes more effort surprisingly then just being open though.

[sergioBRE]

not that i speak to strangers ....

i bring them home :)

sometimes it was a good thing....

but couple of times it was not...

anyway..... i stopped to bring them home..... but i still speak to strangers... i am too curious... and we all know that curiosity killed the cat ;)

[lanlounz]

Every person u meet, tells u smth about urself.zere is a compelling agent zat entices me 2talk 2 astranger.he represents a world of mysteries waiting 2b discovered.zere is a certain charm in communicating wiz a person who has no prejudices,labels,categories.A stranger approaches u as a :" raw material" razer zan a finished product, a :"closed achieved system"&kills ur fear of judgment.2 mehe is a way 2stop time,when i c a stranger, ive no need 4ze past, nor ze future, i own&live ze moment

[rozhjoy05]

I'm not afraid of strangers, i would certainly talk to strangers if only it was practiced as a norm, becoz here, in the Philippines, if u'll greet a stranger (let's say) in a train, u'll be presumed to be weird or worse crazy.(I don't do the same judgment though, it will really depend on how I was approached.) Basically, what I'm afraid of is being judged badly. That's for me.

[inalag]

Why give up opportunities to improve ourselves?

> inverti

[eedettenotna]

Strange, isn't it? Maybe other people are afraid to talk to them because it has an -er as a suffix making them more strange. (Hahaha) Many people are afraid of the unknown, how would they react. Well, for me, I talk to strangers because I believe that in dealing with them, you'll find that they not that strange really. Or if so, you can learn from their strangeness.

[foreverbliss27]

I think no one is really a stranger. Seeing as how we are all just a tiny bunch of Souls on this lonely planet in the entire Universe, to me, the whole of human population in the World is closely knit by an invisible bond. And, because of the limitation of the only five senses that we seem to be using all the time, forgetting that there could even be a sixth one, governed by our Soul, and our Heart, we fail to see this bond.

[Tamarabarcelona]

you never know how they gonna act... =(

[Tamarabarcelona]

i never know how thay gonna act ...=(

[anjsexy12]

In the Philippines, people usually don't mind talking to someone they don't even know. We have this sort of a habit to greet everyone even if we don't know them. It's a way of showing politeness. Err, I agree with what

raANImalwr said. :)

[raANImalwr]

If we didn't talk to strangers, would we even be able to find friends? Everyone's a stranger at first. Then, you start a conversation with them and somehow you two might become very close friends. In my opinion, talking to strangers will always effect our lives in a positive way. We can either gain a new friendship, or, even if we never see that person again in our lives, we can learn things that we never expected to learn from a random conversation. Either way, I think such meetings are great!

[raissajs]

in Indonesia, we like to talk to someone that sits next to us, or wait the bus with us. At first i find it hard to do, because i'm a lil bit shy, but as i grow up i learned that when i talk to people (strangers) i can learn new things, or may be they can learn new things from me. i do not do it often, but if i feel like something told me to talk to someone, i'll talk to them. Just try it, and u'll be amazed of the result. because people appearance may deceive u.

[fitzerg]

talking to strangers helps you get a girlfriend.

[jenniedelavega]

I hate to admit it, but I categorize my strangers -- those who seem creepy and may be dangerous, and those who seem accessible, and may not be dangerous. I speak to the latter, but try to avoid the former.

[EramZehra83]

I think in most of the areas of Pakistan (my country), it is a little different and people talk to every other stranger...in a bus, at the hospital, in shops, markets, or while waiting they just start conversations and people who do not like to engage in conversations are considered a bit rude (although they can just be shy). I believe it is a good thing to know more people and talking about stuff with ppl around you. It makes a society grow.

[Chopper132231]

I don't talk to strangers because I'm afraid I'm interrupting them, and because I'm afraid that they won't like me!

[spiritualfemale]

No one is stranger.We all know others from other lives.Its only that we dont remember,and every time we meet someone,we meet him for a reason,and i always have the curiosity to know this reason.I'm not afraid of strangers,coz no one is stranger,we are all brothers in humanity...

[fersitaTH]

pienso que no son extraños realmente

siempre les sonrio

o aveces cruzo unas palabras con ellos

pero aveces la gente tiene miedo por la inseguridad etc..

por cierto acabo de acabar el libro Veronica Decide Morir

adorooro tus libros

voy por otro!!

[maghy3431]

I have the custome to smile, and to talk with others more if they are strangers, more in here Chicago where it's a cosmopolitan city. In here, you can learn more about every culture, it's like uma viagem à procura de si mesmo.

[CoeurSufi]

I do talk to strangers, at the train for example, if I see a man who looks tired and sits down I mention "what a tiring day" and he smiles and we talk a bit then life continues. I also talk to people I am with on a waiting line, and I feel completely free to do this when I travel to countries like Egypt or Haiti for example, where communication is so very usual, useful and so natural, and I feel very good about it.

[Ravariv]

Strangers....when we try to understand ourselves ...we discover that we are strangers ....I believe that the strangers in us are far remote from other people suurounding us....

[Snowf1aK]

Do as Christ did and talk to those less mentionable in society.

[Art914l]

Always look people in the eye when you talk to them. Try to smile at the people you see, or at least acknowledge them as a fellow human being.

[prinele]

Hace poco discuti con este tema, jamas cambiare de hablar con extraños, me encanta:)) tienes telepatiaaa!!!!!! besitosss

[MsBorjal]

Learning how to commute enhances how our neurons work.Dealing with strangers really depends on your mood and situation,like if youre bored or if the person is friendly or if youre eyes met about an incident that happened etc. But I always see to it that Ill be extra careful anywayz my parents only told me that when I was young and innocent about basic things.

[prinele]

cada persona aporta algo a mi vida, sea de la cultura que sea, a veces he ayudado a personas en momentos que lo necesitaban y no las conocia de nada, y ellas a mi me han ayudado a ser mejor persona, me encanta , me chifla hablar con extraños!!:) y lo seguire haciendo, quizas sea un riesgo, pero la vida no es una aventura:) un beso fuerte!! i love you

Pilar

[prinele]

Querido Paulo,

me alegra mucho este tema, yo soy una persona que hablo con extraños, :) hace poco una amiga me dijo que era eso de hablar con desconocidos? le dije que yo era asin, y no cambiare, me enriquece como persona, hablar con extraños, sere rara, pero soy asin

[mareinoso1977]

im agree with the energy, a lot of people said that I have a facility to talk with strangers, but is only energy... because some people talk me about their problems, family, etc... and i never met with them... well but it is genetic because my mom have this facility.

[demaviell]

It depends on the atmosphere, humour and tone of voice that stranger. When I 'm happy or fall in love with somebody there's no cause make me feel bad and I feel like talking with everybody. When I'm easy it's nice to talk with somebody even about weather. When I'm angry it's safer not to talk with me. Although I think that's nice to talk with strangers sometimes.

[yethski25]

I don't mind talking to strangers but of course I have to make sure that I'm at ease talking to that person. based on my own experience most of the strangers I met became my friends and some have been part of my life. i fell in love, got hurt,and i learned from them

[SurfingOnSineWaves]

Let me first begin by saying I've developed an anxiety disorder towards people. It's difficult for me to involve in everyday situations, because I constantly have the feeling I'm being judged or people are planning on doing horrible things to me.

Aside from that, I have a problem with people talking about things they don't know anything about or people who start talking, júst for the sake of having a conversation. Such talks with strangers most likely end up with smalltalk, so why bother?!

[blueshooligan]

Having ADHD I talk to everyone and it has got me quite far with people and even a job

[Padrinol]

I think talking to strangers is a very good thing, I am a follower of the Bahá'í Faith and a basic belief is to greet strangers and friends alike with the utmost kindness and love as if you have known them all your life.

[IzayanaNicaragua]

It depends on my mood:

If I'm feeling OK, I'm very open and it's usual that I start some kind of chat with anyone near to me. I like to open a window of my own world and see through the windows of the other people.

On the other hand, when I feel upset I don't like anybody making me questions or comments. I just want they leave me alone, although sometimes I'd led people to approach me and it happens that my blue mood fade away.

[Andragonfly]

I take the bus a lot and I always talk to people I don't know if they want to talk. And also when I take my dog for a walk I always end up talking to other dog owners! However there are always some people I would think twice before talking to. Instinct? maybe.

[Icapricorn1333]

I love to talk to strangers...I will talk to anyone at anytime. You can learn so much about life from other people.

[layanahs]

I enjoy talking to strangers!! Most times I do get stuck in conversation with the 'stranger' variety of strangers, but then there are some of those special ones that make it an enjoyable experience. Also, its so easy to open up to a stranger...there is no history, no prejudice - only the thoughts or the energy you exchange in those moments.

[snowwolfsabertooth]

13. awkwardness

[snowwolfsabertooth]

a few things: 1. i got anxiety disorder 2. self-conscious 3. i don't talk a lot - because of my "history" 4. i'm afraid i'll poke into the other person's personal bubble 5. i'm tired (a lot) 6. i'm stuck in my own thoughts 7. i worry about other things 8. i'm trying to write up this list, jk 9. i'm usually in a bad mood 10. i don't like talking to people about things and then they start giving me a huge amount of input, because it messes up my brain 11. stress 12. don't know what to talk about

[bluedragonep]

I enjoy talking to strangers. I have met some very interesting people this way. I like it because I can hear their stories and in return I don't really have to give away too much of my own identity. Sometimes I make up fake identities just for to mix things up a bit. I think that people have been conditioned not to talk to strangers because, like with everything we're told not to do, a few bad apples spoiled it for the rest of us.

[nenonora]

• Insecurity: not having the courage to approach people

• Fear of being judged and rejected: others might think your weird or crazy and shut u down or just ignore you.

• Fear of being harassed: in some places if u approach strangers, especially if youre a woman it an be misunderstood.

• People are often consumed by their own thoughts and dont have time to talk to the person standing next to them.

[yechevarria3002]

I am not afraid to speak to strangers, but I am soo tired of LISTENING TO PEOPLE TALK ABOUT HOW BAD IS THE ECONOMICs in the world and how things have changed from time to time. I prefer to talk about movies, books, past experiences... so that's why sometimes I stop before engaging in a conversation with a stranger.

[agent101101]

To answer the question, I don't talk to strangers... unless they'll initiate the talk. But I do love meeting new people and friends. As long as they know the word respect, there should be no problem.

[agent101101]

From my observation... people who think that they are elite, are the ones who don't bother or are not interested in talking to strangers. They think that the reason they are talking to you is because you admire their looks or something, and it just goes into their heads. Some are just shy but if you will be the one to initiate the talk, they'll eventually reply and the conversation starts.

[MayTove]

but I would not go futher without any sign back from you, because you may be occupied, and you do not know anything about me at all........ and therefore not interested that moment. The culture here in Norway is very much to let people have privacy, even famous people, weel, the last 20 years it have changed a bit, mostly by young people, (I am 50). Even King Olav the V could walk on the street and have privacy (father of our ruling king today).

[MayTove]

Early in life, I worked in a shop, and learned that people like to be visible, and learned from then, to give a little sign, feks a smile, and then continue what I was doing. And that can be used everywhere. Feks on a bus, before I sit down beside someone, and sometimes we start talking. And feks if I should see you in the street, I would give you a little sign, so you would know that I recognize you,

[Nera6969]

It depends where you live. In Germany commuters in the morning are going to work and in their minds they are so preoccupied with their own thoughts, that a stranger would just disturb their privacy. It is sad. I wish the modern society would be more open and communicative. I think in southern countries it is not as unusual to just start a conversation with strangers.

[mjamjan]

If i don't like the vibes that i receive i won't try to talk to that person.I believe that i can feel other peoples energy and if somehow i don't have the positive feedback i probably won't feel encouraged to do anything.I believe that everything has it's energy,even that little rock in the middle of the road,so it's very important for me what radiates from another being,however it might sound selfish and prudish but it works for me.I like to help people in need but also avoid "bad" people

[2bemerry]

As I was walking the dog I met a woman who asked me the way 2 an orphanage. Her boss had lost her job, couldnt afford to pay her and had sent her off 2 ask for work @ this institution. I asked her where she comes from and she answered Burgaria and that she has lived in Greece for 10 years. She seemed intelligent and civil, so I told her I could use some help with the housework and gave her my number. Today Im expecting her call

[mabdalaw]

WE DO.. That's why I used to find it a little bit strange in other communities where I travelled (i'm lebanese) that strangers are approached with a cautious eye, as if you have to expect the worst! I think this has to do with cultural difference; in smaller societies ppl end up knowing each other in some way, whereas the more diverse the ethnicities, the media, parents, police & ppl in general tend to exaggerate the differences!

[rimaelhelou]

I always enjoyed meeting new people, listen and share life experience even the smallest interaction can make us grow emotionally and intellectually.the fear that one can face when talking to stranger is being analyzed or judged (because we don't know how they might react) that's why we are not always open to tell everything on our minds,sometimes some people lack the talent of socializing,they don't know how to start a conversation,I think this comes with practice.

[rimaelhelou]

Dear Paulo,we were raised not to talk with strangers because our parents fear that someone that we don't know can harm us.I agree with that if we are little boys and girls, but grown ups speaking with new people can always be an enriching experience especially if the other is open to conversation,

[gigglytoes23]

Hi Sir! I AM TRULY A BIG FAN OF YOURS and I AM SO EXCITED TO BUY AND READ your new novel THE WINNER STAND ALONE. by the way sir, HERE in the Philippines, there are some people will just ignore you, especially the elites. BUT as for me, I am not afraid to talk to strangers. I had encountered several people whenever I am commuting who will just approach me and will share their whole lives THAT easily. I just LISTEN because sometimes these people just want to be HEARD.

[sutty1985]

I care too much about what strangers think of me!?

[SAMARELKHOURY]

In Lebanon, people are known to be friendly people.We speak and act with a stranger easily,We do not face the fear of strangers, it is something we are born with, a part of our norms and values.On the other hand and like everything else in life there are limits, for our children cannot talk to adult strangers considering the fact that there is no possible common interest to talk to each other about , therefore we keep an eye and never leave our kids alone.

[shibaradhi]

I don't have such fear.Infact i always look forward meeting sombody intersting who can teach me something nice and wonderful everytime i am travelling.bcos i believe that you get what u give and my intentions in this life is very clear..am here to spread love,friendship and peace. love u all !!

[ATOMHIXX]

1. I use to "publicly commute" everyday.

2. I reason that I live and work from same place to partially avoid public transport (both by my preference, environmental, and other concerns), but to your point

3. I miss radom encounters with Truth, which is what strangers offer, which is what we Fear.

4. There are REAL dangers which result from the SHIFT occurring. I was at a small party in Chicago last night and more than one person asked :

[chickydoo]

i love speaking to strangers. i try to get to know them but i don't want to delve into too deep details because i'm trying to be cautious. it's always interesting to get to know others and give them a chance because we all come from so many different backgrounds that its nice to see how we've all been shaped by them.

[dlp1207]

because you just cant trust everyone that you encounter anywhere. i mean, here in our country, there are crimes that happen in public vehicles. u just cant blame some people if they dont wanna talk to people they just see somewhere.. and for the first time. that may be one reason. another is maybe some people just never want to open up to others they barely kow. i mean, why talk to someone who cant absolutely relate to you? some may be afraid of hearing stuffs they never wanna hear.

[vivyhostess]

... Why don't I have such a fear? My mom breastfeeded me with an open love, open to the world, open to the idea of giving, talking, knowing. Sometimes I share silences, sometimes smiles. Strangers aren't that stranger to me. Viviana, Italy

[canariosdelmonte]

why do you think that it's fear what stop me?

[dalysmariela]

Some times it´s not fear...we just don´t feel like chit chatting about the weather or politics or whatever else...specially on public transportation if we are going to a stressful job full of people asking questions...I like to talk to people in the park, or during a vacation, or at a waiting room, but some conversations are rewarding, while others might be trivial...sometimes we like talking to a person sitting next to us on a plane, and sometimes we just want to read a book and sleep...

[kathleendb23]

Everyone everywhere wants to be seen, to be recognized for who they are- from those closest around them and even by strangers. A simple hello, nice day- or that darn rain can really provide a human connection in a technologically isolated world.. We are a society tied to our technology- it is in our hands, in our ears, focused on by our eyes- and we do not connect with the greatest resource around us- our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are missing the human connection. Smile, say hello.

[milanolano]

i often strike up conversations with strangers bc i like to feel connected. it makes me feel like i am connecting to the human race.

that said, i do often feel suspicious when in talking to strangers, they ask questions that are "too personal" - i.e. where do you go to school, and such. I think that's when my safety mode kicks up, especially since my parents raised me to be cautious of ill-intent. but as long as we don't go into identification factors, i absolutely LOVE it and seek it out.

[extatik26]

when ever the opportunity arises. ....

but you can use your imagination and create amazing opportunities......

[redgypsee]

I almost always talk to strangers ...

[Liumoony]

I used to be kind of shy and avoided talking with strangers. But once I met an old man and he gave me an incredible experience just by the way he spoke about poetry. Until that moment I had never met someone SO passionate about it, and he shared those feelings with a strange on a bus! It was amazing! We don't know with whom we are going to talk tomorrow, but there's always the chance of having a wonderful experience just by letting someone share a little bit of his life with you. =) Let's trust!

[ergosleuth]

I have a disease that compels me to talk to people...to engage with them. I try not to force myself upon them, instead, I make myself available to talk to. It's difficult, but I find it sometimes necessary to make myself unapproachable. I guess I am picky about the strangers I talk to. But I do talk to them (strangers). They tell wonderful stories. Have you ever noticed that you can get more intimate answers out of yourself and other people when in a "stranger" situation? I love it.

[Pentawhammies]

I am terrified of strangers. When people strike up a conversation with me,my first thought is "why are you talking to me?" I end up staring stupidly at them while I come up with all their possible motives to be interested in me. Then I get embarrassed and don't talk at all.

But you're right, we should communicate with the world around us. This will be a hard wall to break down.

[mistyeyedlass]

I always make it a point to give everyone a smile--they might need it. besides, it's no use being so afraid the whole time or being overly cynical..i just choose, though. i mean, we really can't give everyone thsoe smiles or talks, bec some of them might be bad..

[bailyshouse]

I thought that I was being strange at times becaues I usually enjoy picking up a conversation with the person next to me. But its hard sometimes because most people have built up hard walls to break through. For example, traveling everyday on the train one sees how so many people have encapsulated themselves. With the morning paper or earphones to block out the world around them. It would be so much more interesting to just talk, even if its just smalltalk, it is at least communication.

[Nosy1993]

I agree with bailyshouse

[danceswithcrayons]

I think there may be many reasons - Perhaps past scary experiences or preconditioned fear, or how one tends to accept something new or different. There could even be simple reasons too, like wanting to be alone with thoughts, lack of time... Great question Paulo! I am not afraid of strangers : )

[swansandtyphus]

People are terrified of how they will be judged by others and terrified of being seen as weird. The most confident, most successful people whether they are involved in politics, business, the arts or any career are the people who do not have this anxiety. They are comfortable talking with anyone in any situation at anytime. To be as complete a person as you can possibly be it is wise to talk to as many people as possible (obviously not harassing them!) when ever the opportunity arises.